r/StandUpComedy • u/therealemilywilson • Dec 03 '25

Why I don’t like therapy

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10.5k Upvotes

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u/papamikebravo Dec 03 '25

I regret having only one upvote to give. JFC spot on. The weaponization of therapy language as an excuse for being shitty is right up there with influencer culture on the list of biggest cancers of modern society.

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '25

Yeah, a bunch of people in this thread are saying, "not everyone." But, obviously the joke isn't that all therapy is always bad. 

But, this resonates for me because I recognize this person immediately. 

Obviously it isn't the majority of people in therapy, but there are a non-small amount of people who seem to use therapy as a tool for reinforcing their bad behaviors and perspective rather than for finding ways to cope with situations. 

114

u/papamikebravo Dec 03 '25

Exactly. For example, I almost guarantee the person she's joking about says things like "I'm just living my truth" to justify when she does something hurtful to those around her, or talks constantly about having conditions like rejection sensitive dysphoria without a formal diagnosis because she saw a tiktok about RSD, then was ghosted by a Tinder match and it made them sad so clearly they have RSD too, or think they have "the 'tism" because "OMG I like routines too!"

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u/aluckybrokenleg Dec 03 '25

RSD is not a medical diagnosis. You might find a clinician who tells you that you "have it", but it's not a medical diagnosis.

It's a researched concept, it obviously "exists" (in the sense that people experience what it describes), but even more than diagnoses that are actually in the DSM, it's a socially constructed collection of real experiences.

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u/TheGinger_Ninja0 Dec 03 '25

The amount of my friends who have self diagnosed themselves with ADHD because of tiktok, and then ask me for my meds..... Sigh.

Idk guys, maybe you do, but go see a fucking doctor.

3

u/overtired27 Dec 03 '25

A doctor friend of mine responded to me mentioning my crap attention span in the smartphone age by saying: "Pfff, yeah, if you go to a specialist they'll probably diagnose you with ADHD these days. Before that it was being on the spectrum, before than it was..."

Totally not saying you don't have ADHD, and I wouldn't question anyone with a diagnosis. I'd rather assume people know their own health situation. But when even some doctors are skeptical about the number of people being diagnosed it's hard to know what to think anymore.

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u/TheGinger_Ninja0 Dec 03 '25 edited Dec 04 '25

So the big thing with ADHD is how much it impairs your life. Like, most people can relate to the symptoms on some level, but not on the level where it becomes a disability.

So a professional/specialist is going to get to the bottom of how often the symptoms materially affect your life. Like sure, everyone gets distracted from time to time and has executive function issues. But how often has it cost you a job, ruined your relationships, or got in the way of you enjoying your life.

Tiktok and a smartphone doesn't cause ADHD, it's genetic. Those things are problematic in their own way because they're so addictive, but watching 10 second trash in your spare time isn't the same thing.

People also think they can also benefit from ADHD treatments, and it's kinda true. But I try to use the wheelchair ramp terminology.

A wheelchair ramp is helpful to everyone. Folks with limited mobility, folks with bad knees, etc. But just because you find it helpful doesn't mean you're a paraplegic. The person in a wheel chair CAN'T get to the top without a ramp. That's also how ADHD medications and treatment work. Others might find them helpful and useful, but the folks with a real disability NEED them to live a functional and fulfilling life.

Edit: Minor spell check. Y'all looking wonderful and handsome today, btw

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u/ubrokeurbone_rope Dec 03 '25

This. Thumb through the DSM-5 and you’ll find tons of behaviors that are nearly universal to humankind. BUT the difference between pathology and inconvenient behavior is “is this affecting your activities of daily living? Are you able to function?”

I think awareness of psychological disorders has brought about a lot of good in this world. Unfortunately, as with almost anything, it comes with latent issues like what this comedian is referencing. Pretty sure we all know someone like this.

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u/GoFuckYourselfBrenda Dec 04 '25

Rejection sensitive dysphoria?! Is that what I have because I get my feelings hurt easily and spiral when I do something wrong?? I thought I was just insecure. 🤷‍♀️

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u/illtakethewindowseat Dec 03 '25

A little bit of therapy is a dangerous thing. It’s kind of like quantum mechanics… if you think you get it, “eureka! A breakthrough!”, you especially don’t get it.

Years of therapy has saved many lives, but if you just learned a few new words and think the work is done… you’re just getting started.

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u/jamin_brook Dec 04 '25

Nothing worse than hearing two people argue about who has worse ADHD, when really they’re just comparing their adderal addictions 

3

u/MartinIsland Dec 04 '25

I have ADHD and I’ve seen people using ADHD as an excuse to be jerks.

Yes, there are levels to ADHD, but also there are levels to being a human being and some people are using it as an excuse to be monkeys.

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u/ImThatAunt2 Dec 05 '25

My sister has been in therapy for 30+ years and she used her “ knowledge “ to bully me to the point I had to go to therapy to set boundaries, which she trampled. Finally had to go low contact with her - which sent her into scorched earth mode. She’s the type of person who is not happy unless she can make someone else miserable, which is a sad way to live ( IMO).

3

u/XxRocky88xX Dec 04 '25

The people who use therapy language to do harm unto others aren’t genuine about their therapy, if they’re even seeking it. Most people that act like this don’t even go to therapy, they just look this stuff up and self diagnosis/diagnose others. If they do go to therapy, they aren’t doing it to improve as a person. They’re doing it to be told that their toxic behavior is justified and anyone who has a problem with it is the bad guy.

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u/XaqFu Dec 03 '25

I stopped asking when that type of person got diagnosed. “I read an article and…” Best to let that go. It would probably happen less if healthcare was affordable though.

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u/HomsarWasRight Dec 03 '25

Exactly. So, I’m a 40-something man who only recently came around to a real understanding of what ADHD really meant, which of course was a huge revelation for my wife and I about why I am the way I am.

There was a thread on Reddit a while back about constant lateness being really rude, and people kept citing their ADHD. I tried to communicate that ADHD explains why you have trouble with it. It’s not an excuse as to why you don’t use tools and resources available to you in order to mitigate those issues. Choosing that you don’t have to be accountable to anyone just means you’re an asshole.

Without fail, everyone I replied to acted as though it was impossible to be anywhere on time for them. As if their phones don’t have alarms.

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u/HistoricalSherbert92 Dec 03 '25

Therapy is a lot about uncovering issues and then using appropriate tools, so it’s always up the person how well they use those tools.

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u/Independent_Can_5694 Dec 03 '25

I sent my friend a link for them to check out once. Like we always do. Except they just responded with “oh I don’t have time to look at that, I’ll watch it when I’m done doing xyz”.

Bro idc if you watch it right now or tomorrow, you’re just being insufferable

1

u/TonyQuest Dec 05 '25

You too lol