TDHP view:
He should be getting back to work today; that’s good news. Oh, here he goes again: “I’m sick; I’m depressed; I’m suicidal; I can’t go back to work now; I need to go to the hospital.” He does this every time he wants to avoid doing something. It’s time to grow up, you coward. Why can’t he just get his meds right and start following his doctor’s advice?!
Patient’s view:
Man, I have to go to work tomorrow. I’m so scared. What must my co-workers think of me? They will all be staring. And, why shouldn’t they? I’ve been playing hooky for seven weeks, hiding in my room feeling sorry for myself, getting smashed at the pitty party every night. What makes me so special? They have to deal with the same stuff I get and they don’t just skip out and leave their work for their co-workers to complete. I’m just pathetic. I suck. I really never should have been born. [hours later] F&F: Call 9-1-1! I think he’s really hurt himself this time….
Another patient’s view:
Man, I have to go to work tomorrow. I’m so scared. What must my co-workers think of me? They will all be staring. And, I know what they’ll be thinking. “He’s been playing hooky for seven weeks, not coming to work because he feels sorry for himself, just throwing himself a pitty party every night. What makes him so special? We have to deal with the same stuff he does and we don’t just skip out and leave our work for our co-workers to complete.” Yeah, well I’ll show them I haven’t been faking it. I’ll show them I have been dealing with some really heavy shit. They’ll see. [hours later] F&F: Call 9-1-1! I think he’s really hurt himself this time….
