I think it is more than 30 percent. Many people with depression go through it without ever seeking any kind of assistance and recover. There are natural periods of depression in life around “Transitional Stages.” Death of a loved one, Loss of a job, Divorce, some tragedy or natural disaster causing great loss, etc… Depression can be a very natural reaction to life. A mental shut down.
Anyway… I think your perception of psychotherapy is spot on. It is as useless as a wetsuit on a frog. That goes for all therapies. The therapy that works is the one you choose to use.
The Reality therapies are particularly good for prison populations because they are simple, easy to understand, and logical. They, like all other therapies, only work when you use them. It is the client that decides to do the work, not the therapy working. If the therapy works, it is because you are using it to get what you want.
I utterly and completely hate 3 main things about psychoanalysis. The first is regression - as if it is actually true. The second is all bullshit about the mind being divided into id, ego and superego states that correspond to unconscious, preconscious and conscious. The goal of psychoanalysis is to un-restrict or open up the free flow of information from the unconscious to the conscious.
As if any of that shit is real. The third is the assumption that this free flow of information means you are now a healthy individual. HORSESHIT!
Look at WOODY ALAN - 30 years in Psychoanalysis. 2 years in Sexual Abuse Counseling. Listen to the man talk. He has the cult lingo of psychoanalysis down to an art. This is what people who spend time in psychoanalysis all sound like. It is a part of the training.
The therapist listens and then interprets what he hears according to psychoanalytic theory. In doing so, he teaches the client psychoanalytic terminology and excises. Many psychoanalytic therapist opt for more modern counseling techniques for most clients these days. Still, a medical doctor can become a licensed psychoanalytic therapist in just two years and administer drugs for psychological ailments.
A clinical psychologist, who has studied psychology and related fields for 8 to 10 years, can not administer drugs, but is one hell of a better clinician than most psychiatrists in my book.
With that said… I love the Freudian defense mechanisms. I disagree as to their causes, but do regard them as defensive maneuvers. Outward manifestations of internal conflict.
If you ever get the chance, read some of Freud’s original work. The guy reads like an idiot. (IMO) Especially when he discusses regression and transference.
Reminds me. Anyone ever read the original works of Benjamin Franklin? Was he the nosey busy body whiny little porky tattling fat kid that everyone wanted to knock the shit out of? Or am I mistaken? I was not impressed at all with his autobiography.
Freud and Franklin were two of my bubbles that were burst. Most definitely.