Mary Newton

No regrets for rejecting psychiatric treatment

What Elayne Clift describes [“A worrying update,” Column, Jan. 21] is far from a new problem.

Many years ago, as a young housewife and mother, I went to a psychiatrist. Within a few minutes of talking to him, I realized the the vast difference between us.

I expected information and advice, and he expected me to turn over my life to him and give him unlimited power to label me with a life-altering diagnosis. The only “help” he had was to give me mind-deadening drugs and/or put me in a mental institution.

I left his office and never went back.

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