They don't always turn to other psychiatrists and medication. Sometimes they seek psychotherapy with non-M.D. therapists. I have worked with several in therapy.

"It’s the reciprocity that’s key" - Astounding. They're so close to the truth, and yet, they don't get it, when it comes to those, they label "patients". But, well, I forgot: of course there are life problems, and then there are mental illnesses...

Many of the people described in the article are analysts. I did some incredible work with a Jungian analyst who also encouraged me to look into meds with an MD while we did some deep psychological work. The meds were a disaster in many ways but that doesn't eradicate the incredible insights she gave me into my life that are still helpful to me today.

I wonder do they warn their colleagues whom they treat about the True side effect profile of the drugs they peddle to everyone else?...

Re: "They don't always turn to other psychiatrists and medication. Sometimes they seek psychotherapy with non-M.D. therapists."

Hmmm... now that's interesting to me. I wonder why that is?

It IS what I suspected though. I believe it is because they know much more about the ill effects of medications than their practices of handing them out and trying to keep people on them for life would lead one to believe. I bet psychiatrist's children are less medicated than others, choosing non brain damaging solutions for them too.

Cheryl, have you worked with any that ever mention feeling guilty about what they do?

My former psychiatrist was arrested and convicted of DUI while he was a shrink, and he's had two other arrests since the DUI including some kind of weapon charge. Unfortunately I didn't learn about any of this until after I stopped seeing him. I would imagine he had psych tx in order to keep his medical license, but if did then he's a treatment failure.

The ones I know don't medicate their kids (for reasons listed above) even when some might think it appropriate. And are terrible patients, not seeking help for physical or mental ills. Much like my father, who built fish farms, who would never eat farmed fish. After one has known them about ten years they allow as how none of the meds are worth the dangers or unpleasantness they pose, and that diagnoses are applesauce. It's an art, and a form of ministry, not a science. Even the meds that are "better" (ie: that help 30 percent of those taking them) are just potions that either mobilize the placebo effect or zone people out (not that the latter can't be useful at times if a person is a danger to themself or others), Having said that, even for MDs who have a hard time accepting their own need, therapy (by an MD or other) can be life-saving and transformative (or a pile of old codswallop,depending on the practitioner).