HELP!!! l can not take my job anymore.l counsel mental health clients and it seems like they're getting crazier and crazier each day, and so am I.Today l was talking to this lady who says she is a sex addict among other things.She said she was abused as a child, and has had a sexual relationship with her sister for years.What can l do to remain sane while trying to help these people?
She was just telling me some really sick stories and she was saying it like it was normal for her.l feel bad for them, but l just want some tips on how to keep my composure during the sessions.

First of all, you have got to see this as illness, just like cancer or diabetes. Second, you have to realize most of these folks have had some kind of abuse and most have had bad childhoods. If you can not adjust and accept that fact that there are going to be horrible, horrible days and then ok days, then start looking in the help wanted ads

Get into a new line of work. You're not fit for the one u r in.

You just condescendingly referred to a person with a rough life in a way that is totally unprofessional. You say oooh gross. l say try wearing her shoes.

Perhaps l am more empathetic because l am one of those ''crazy & getting crazier'' ppl with bipolar.

You really r in the wrong field.

EDIT: A fairly sizable percentage of ppl with mental health problems live very productive lives & do not present as ''crazy.'' Those of us who manage our illness use the mental health system. When u throw around that word or popular terms like it, it is offensive. More so, when it is coming from u as the representative of the mental health system, it scares more ppl off who should be getting help.

As said above, a lot of ppl with mental illnesses had tough childhoods. Those with personality disorders more so to the best of my recollection. Others it is predominently genetics. Also, if u do some research u will find that incest is not so uncommon. Most likely u do not know the circumstances these two women grew up in. I'd bet that if u did, instead of complaining, you'd be crying.

Sorry u had a bad day, but seriously, if u can not do ur job with compassion, empathy, understanding, & respect, u r in the wrong field.

>Go spend some volunteer time in battered women & children centers. You will not be the focus as the provider & it would give u up front exposure to what bad situations r like.

Well you know what you wanted to do when you took the job.So l can tell you 2 things:
1.Try to see their point of view,like you have to keep an opened mind and with your mind opened you can only see where the mental health clients are coming from.
2.Seek a new job before you become a client yourself.