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> Your brain, like your teeth or your car, needs regular servicing by a professional if you want optimal performance and want to avoid costly repairs. I don't

> Your brain, like your teeth or your car, needs regular servicing by a professional if you want optimal performance and want to avoid costly repairs. I don't know that I agree. I was fortunate to be raised by incredible parents. I emerged extremely well-adjusted and prepared for adulthood. I am not saying I never benefit from a counselor or therapist. There have been times I have visited each for help and advice, or even just to get an outside evaluation about something. But I do not need to go regularly like I would to the dentist. That's not being arrogant, that's just knowing myself. Your brain needs regular exercise, sure. But I think it is more analogous to physical exercise than something like the dentist. I agree that most people could benefit from having a regular appointment with a physical trainer, but many people are well-equipped to be their own trainer, at least for the purpose of staying healthy and happy. I think the same is true of mental health.

thirdtruck 13y ago
I think we agree in the large part. The part about relying on a third-party professional was assumed. I'm reminded of a relative's teeth: they might have been born with exceptional enamel, preventing all manner of early cavities, but now they lack the oral hygiene habits they need going forward. Along those same lines: to what degree are you uncommonly well-adjusted, versus born to circumstances in which many of your foibles don't cause problems to _you_ because of the consequence buffer provided by fortuitous race, sex, orientation, class, etc.? I know I can get away with under-developed stress processing because I'm white and male and date women, for example.
- jdbernard 13y ago
  Well, I can't claim to know with absolute certainty how I would react in situations that I have never been in; I am not omniscient. I do feel like I am fairly well equipped to handle whatever situation was given to me without regular help from a therapist. I'm not saying I'm perfect, far from it. But I am well aware of my faults and fairly well aware of what I would need to do to shore them up. That doesn't mean it is easy. Like I said, I don't have any problem going to a therapist for help with something I am struggling with. But I can't imagine any situation in life where I would need to regularly visit a therapist. Like your relative, I was gifted with great genes as far as my dental health goes. I've never had a cavity or any oral problems for that matter. Somewhere along the way I learned to take care of my teeth properly. However, I still need and benefit from regularly visiting a dentist, despite my good genes or how well equipped I am to handle my teeth on my own. I just don't feel the same about therapists, as wonderful as they can be.

thirdtruck 13y ago

I think we agree in the large part. The part about relying on a third-party professional was assumed. I'm reminded of a relative's teeth: they might have been born with exceptional enamel, preventing all manner of early cavities, but now they lack the oral hygiene habits they need going forward. Along those same lines: to what degree are you uncommonly well-adjusted, versus born to circumstances in which many of your foibles don't cause problems to _you_ because of the consequence buffer provided by fortuitous race, sex, orientation, class, etc.? I know I can get away with under-developed stress processing because I'm white and male and date women, for example.

jdbernard 13y ago
Well, I can't claim to know with absolute certainty how I would react in situations that I have never been in; I am not omniscient. I do feel like I am fairly well equipped to handle whatever situation was given to me without regular help from a therapist. I'm not saying I'm perfect, far from it. But I am well aware of my faults and fairly well aware of what I would need to do to shore them up. That doesn't mean it is easy. Like I said, I don't have any problem going to a therapist for help with something I am struggling with. But I can't imagine any situation in life where I would need to regularly visit a therapist. Like your relative, I was gifted with great genes as far as my dental health goes. I've never had a cavity or any oral problems for that matter. Somewhere along the way I learned to take care of my teeth properly. However, I still need and benefit from regularly visiting a dentist, despite my good genes or how well equipped I am to handle my teeth on my own. I just don't feel the same about therapists, as wonderful as they can be.