cynical-therapist

I just have to add this because I've seen a few people take this the wrong way: when you validate someone's feelings, you don't necessarily agree with what is happening.

For example, if someone is angry about the government reading their mind through their cellphone, you wouldn't say "I understand, I hate it when the government does that to me." But you might say, "yeah, I can understand why someone would be angry when other people don't respect their privacy." The first one, in part, re-enforces their crazy beliefs, the second one is more about their feelings.

This also works with less crazy relatives around the holidays. :-)

I love the idea of service dogs, and have seen amazing transformations over time for veterans who have been fortunate to have them.

Two big questions though: 1. do you have a plan for the Veteran at the end of the dogs' service? (Like if the dogs dies in 5 to 10 years, will the Vet have to get another one? Or will they be better enough to not need one? And do you ha ve plans to be in service for that long and longer?) And 2. What situations do you see where a veteran wants a service dog, but it's inappropriate or just a bad idea to have one?

Another psychologist here. Yes. There are the easy-to-spot stereotypical crazy homeless guys (and my friends and family who know what I do, ask me "one of yours?" when they see them too).

Under the circumstances (chronic pain, loads of stress) treating people like crap is understandable (although not acceptable). I hope you get good treatment, and not just more pills (cause I imagine you're on some meds already) for your anxiety and other issues.

Good news: I don't think you have Dissociate Personality Disorder. That's not a diagnosis in the DSM-5. (I'm not saying you don't have problems, but the symptom of dissociation could be attributed to other illnesses, or maybe just a limited experience related to the drug use).

I'm curious what you mean by "sociopathic tendencies" though. Have you actually done anything above and beyond the typical teenage I-don't-give-a-fuck-itis that you think qualifies as sociopathic?