MovieChat Forums > Dr. Phil (2002) Discussion > You don't have a right to say that!

You don't have a right to say that!

posted 8 years ago by johnsonium
5 replies | jump to latest

A female guest admitted on a recent show that she "didn't want to live". Phil's response? Do you think he showed any empathy or concern for her well being? Nope. He told her "You don't have a right to say that!". Apparently, if you have suicidal thoughts you should just keep them to yourself, according to Phil. Forget asking for help or trying work through such feelings.

There have been guests in the past that have mentioned suicide and his response was similar. He even said that when he was in private practice, if someone started talking about suicide he would "take them out of the game", which apparently is involuntary psychiatric treatment. This is not good psychotherapy. Many, many people have suicidal thoughts that have no intention on following through on such notions. They need help, not condemnation.

[–] chiluvr1228 8 years ago

I hate him and his show. He berates his guests.

[–] oceanjaspergal 8 years ago

He said that because #1 she has A CHILD. So, no...she doesn't have the right to say that. She has a kid to take care of.

#2 This chick was a whiny brat just trying any tack she could so Dr. Phil would say "oh I'm so sorry, you poor thing". I saw her little bit right away...and so did Dr. Phil. Did ya notice when he told her if she REALLY wanted to die she should be in a hospital, the "suicide" talk changed real quickly.. "oh no I don't REALLY want to kill myself".

If she went into a hospital, she would no longer be getting her own way and partying and drinking. We couldn't have that could we?

Dr. Phil saw straight thru to her spine with all that fake crying. She was crying because she was being called out on her behavior (much like a 3 yr old having a little tantrum). She was NOT crying because she was truly a sad individual without hope.

[–] johnsonium 8 years ago

#1. It doesn't matter if you have a child. You can't control your feelings. Women with post-partum depression have those feelings and by definition, have children. Do you think they also don't have a "right" to express their depsair?

If she has those feelings then talking to someone about them is the best way to deal with them. Holding them inside is what leads to actual suicide.

#2. I said nothing about the rest of the show. It's immaterial. You can believe that she was lying about her feelings but that's a different argument.

When people tell you they have suicidal feelings you have to take them seriously. Telling them to shut up is dangerous and irresponsible. This was just another example of how Phil is horrible at psychotherapy. There's a reason he got out of private practice. It's pretty obvious why.

[–] AntwoinD 8 years ago

She was lying for attention and lying to excuse her ridiculous actions as an awful mother. You fell for it.

[–] 8 years ago

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