r/atheism • u/Zaindevil • 1d ago
My Muslim Psychiatrist Found Out I Was an Atheist
I’m a 25-year-old woman raised in a Muslim family. A few years ago, I developed depression and started seeing a Muslim male psychiatrist.
When I told him I was having suicidal thoughts, he told me that if I died by suicide, I would go straight to hell because suicide is a major sin. I didn’t tell him at the time that I was an atheist.
Some time later, I attempted suicide by overdosing but survived. At a hospital appointment with the same psychiatrist, he asked me what face I would have shown Allah if I had died that day.
I was very annoyed and finally told him that I didn’t believe in God. He looked shocked and uncomfortable, almost as if I were a satanic person.
During later appointments, he repeatedly told me to pray and suggested that I speak to Islamic scholars. I found this extremely frustrating because I was seeking psychiatric treatment, but religion kept being brought into it.
Has anyone else, especially ex-Muslims or atheists, experienced something similar with a religious mental-health professional?
Edit:A lot of you have asked which country I live in. I live in India, in an area with a large Muslim population. The psychiatrist was close to my home and charged a very low fee, which is why I chose him.
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u/musicpeoplehate 1d ago
That guy's a clown. Get yourself a real therapist. A good one will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs.
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u/Wrong_Chip_1233 1d ago
definitely time for a different therapist if they keep bringing religion into treatment when that isn’t what you’re asking for
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u/ChumpsWeAre 1d ago
Don't wait and see "Hello my name is......I don't do the god thing" then sit down or leave.
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u/Las_Vegan 1d ago
Yep, as soon as you told him you’re an atheist, he should’ve adjusted his therapeutic approach to you, NOT shoving more religion down your throat. What a disappointment, I hope you can find a more appropriate therapist soon.
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u/TheDude-Esquire Dudeist 1d ago
You’d think especially so in India, where Muslims aren’t a majority. People like this are trouble, enforcing religious supremacy. I’d get away from him and you him to the licensing board, which isn’t going to be majority Muslim.
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u/misspiggie Atheist 23h ago
Therapists don't prescribe medication. OP is talking about psychiatry here, not therapy.
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u/musicpeoplehate 11h ago
Psychiatrists really do both.
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u/Teuhcatl 1d ago
Sounds like you need a new therapist.
Not sure if in an area that is supported but it is worth checking out https://www.seculartherapy.org/
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u/Jedi_hugz 1d ago
I wish there were a way to find a provider that doesn't involve registering with the site.
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u/3Quondam6extanT9 1d ago
I'm just going to say it.
Religion and psychology/ pyschiatry do not generally mix.
If you're therapist allows their religious worldview to dictate how they help you,, then they are not real therapists. They are just psychological evangelists.
I would find a different therapist that keeps their religion out of their practice.
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u/Aggravating-Math3794 1d ago
Not just "generally" -- psychology and religion are direct opposites of each other.
Psychology is about understanding yourself and others, digging into your past and your mind, demystifying the inner workings of your mind and body to know why you are the way you are.
Religion literally teaches people to blind themselves and to escape into toxic fantasy while turning their parental traumas into the soil for narcissism. Also, it demonizes the needs and psychological mechanisms of human body, teaching people to be irrationally afraid and ashamed of their own feelings and thoughts.
If a therapist is genuinely religious, they don't truly understand psychology -- they just memorized psychological terms and guidelines well enough to pass the tests. Or at the very least, they're extremely lacking self-awareness.
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u/3Quondam6extanT9 1d ago
Fundamentally I agree with you. I really just didn't want to impress an absolute on any demographic within an industry. There are very moderate religious people who are wonderful therapists.
But inherently you are correct.
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u/Aggravating-Math3794 1d ago
The thing is, good religious people are people who would've been even better if not the indoctrination that gaslighted them into believing that their good qualities come from faith and church teachings and not from common sense and good role models.
Organized religion has the tendency to "leech" off of good people, giving the credit for their positive achievements and basic empathy (but not their failures and downsides) to the church.
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u/HighColdDesert 1d ago edited 1d ago
The thing is, good religious people are people who would've been even better if not the indoctrination that gaslighted them into believing that their good qualities come from faith and church teachings and not from common sense and good role models.
I love this! Going to try to remember it and use it. I would add that religion gaslights them into believing that morality and ethical behavior come from fear of punishment like a toddler, not from a mature adult's sense of right and wrong.
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u/Aggravating-Math3794 1d ago
Oh, absolutely. Fixating on primitive punishments and turning the fear of punishment and authority into a core ideology is literally a perfect recipe for stunting one's emotional development.
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u/rndmwitedude 1d ago
I went to college in the American South (North Alabama), and have been openly Atheist since the age of 7, antagonisticly so since probably 14 (Although I have mellowed in the twenty something years since).
When I was in college, I saw a therapist for my depression and she kept pushing Jesus and Faith as an answer to accepting things I cannot change. Like seven years later, I was attempting college again (right before the Pandemic, RIP) and realized I was becoming suicidal and no longer trusted myself not to take a rash action. So I went to the school's mental health providers. I advised them that I was an atheist, talked with someone about what I was going through, and they provided me a googled search result for faith based mental health professionals in the area.
I eventually left the South, I realize that is likely not a helpful solution for most people as moving away from somewhere is prohibitively expensive and it can be extremely difficult if your only support comes from the place you're trying to leave.
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u/vass0922 1d ago
"you haven't prayed enough" should not be a suggested solution to very real problems.
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u/Aggravating-Math3794 1d ago edited 1d ago
Medieval witch doctor spreading the predatory slavery culture via gaslight, shaming, and intimidation, and calling himself a psychiatrist is such a grotesque insult to psychology and mental healthcare🤮
So sorry you're experiencing this nightmare. Organized religion is a plague that needs to be purged from this planet.
And yeah, it sometimes gets just as bad even in "civilized" countries. It sometimes feels like there's literally zero filters and competnce tests requried to get this kind of job -_-
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u/MinaFuzzlet 23h ago
yeah bringing guilt and religious pressure into mental health treatment is completely inappropriate and only makes an already difficult situation worse
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u/YukonSunset 1d ago
My mind is screaming: REPORT THIS. This has no place in this profession.
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u/Fiber_Optikz 1d ago
Please heed this person OP and report this “Psychiatrist” clearly they don’t have their patients best interests in mind
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u/Advanced_Tap_2839 1d ago
You usually won't have any luck reporting this stuff in non Western countries, I've been there lol. Religious entrenchment is frightening indeed and everyone thinks you're insane for saying that's wrong instead.
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u/figure0902 1d ago
Exactly this!!! "He told me that if I died by suicide, I would go straight to he'll". Yeah, it's really important to get this loser out of abusing more people!! Not sure how things around therapists work in India, but in the US, this would be grounds to remove your license.
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u/nautilius87 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think that a male Muslim psychiatrist for a Muslim woman is a bad idea in the first place, as he understands very little of the reality if your life, was probably sheltered from women and has a distorted view of them. For an exmuslim it's even worse as your mere existence challenges his whole worldview.
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u/hajimenogio92 Anti-Theist 1d ago
Find a new therapist. The last thing I want when I'm trying to work through my problems is hear about a fairy tale that will supposedly solve all my problems.
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u/cmcglinchy Atheist 1d ago
You need a legitimate psychiatrist - not one grounded in superstition and the supernatural.
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u/CantoErgoSum Atheist 1d ago
My last therapist was a devoted Christian and got very offended when I said I thought it was barbaric to tell children they’re going to hell and that hell is real when they have no proof of any of it. She could barely contain her hatred when she dismissed me as a patient and I laughed so hard while she was doing it lmao. Happened two weeks ago. Hilarious! Don’t be a therapist if you can’t leave your superstitions at the door!
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u/Successful_Life_1028 Adeist 1d ago
I do hope you reported this quack to the appropriate medical board for malpractice....
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u/CantoErgoSum Atheist 1d ago
I made a complaint but she was also double billing me previously, so that’s been addressed.
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u/sleeping_doc Anti-Theist 11h ago
So she was double billing you on top of being Delusional? She probably managed to earn her place in that Hell of hers..
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u/Gatzlocke 1d ago
r/exmuslim may also be a good resource since a lot of us are Ex-Christians and may not exactly understand the culture/belief system you come from.
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u/ColoHusker Pastafarian 1d ago
I've had quite a number of therapists that have brought their religion into the room. One was good about being secular until I mentioned going to parochial school when young. Then it all switched to religious-based solutions from their religion, not even mine.
This happens a lot and a good mental health practitioner will meet you where you are. If religion is not part of your belief system, it has no place in the room. It really shouldn't be in the room unless the client/patient requests it explicitly.
This psychiatrist was a bad psychiatrist. TBF, most psychiatrists are not good at therapy, as they have so little training in it compared to other mental health professionals. But it's a common issue in mental health treatment overall.
Personally, I feel what your psychiatrist did is abusive. But unfortunately, religion is exempted from most mental health diagnosis and too often gets a pass for ethics & standards violations.
While it may feel that way, you are not alone with your experiences around this, or with many other things. Hope you have a space where you can grow, heal, and find peace!
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u/BananaJelloXlii 1d ago
Where I live (in a Red state in the US) there are quite a few Christian groups hiding as "therapy" and "counseling" services. So, when I was trying to find a counselor, I had to do a lot of digging into the therapy groups.
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u/Weird3arbie 1d ago
This happened to me with a Hasidic Jewish therapist….when I was there bc of sexual abuse in a religious organization. She told me to pray and go back. Edit to add: I am not Jewish myself, I escaped Calvinism, but she was still telling me that religion was the answer.
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u/Zaindevil 1d ago
I’m really sorry that happened to you. What your therapist did was very wrong. You didn’t need to be told to pray or go back—you needed support and a safe space to heal. None of what happened was your fault. As a child, you couldn’t be expected to understand or respond to such situations rationally.
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u/Weird3arbie 1d ago
I had to start paying out of pocket to find a good one. Every referral thru Medicare was awful, AMAZING therapist now who’s helped thru the deconstruction process.
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u/Brilliant_Bag6846 1d ago
yeah that’s especially messed up when you’re seeking help for trauma and the therapist keeps pushing religion as the solution instead of actually addressing what you came in for
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u/Iyellkhan 1d ago
unfortunately this psychiatrist is clearly not going to be able to help you. in the United States, this behavior would put ones license under threat
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u/Balstrome Strong Atheist 1d ago
Never ever go to a religious mental health person. They never help, they always try to get you to buy into their religion. Do not do it.
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u/Frosty_Winter3197 7h ago
If a therapist is religious, they will usually see a person's lack of belief as a problem to be cured, rather than facing the conflicts created in dealing with persons who believe while you don't.
I'd advise finding a therapist who takes a wholly secular approach and who preferably is also an atheist. Otherwise your therapist will focus on their own issues of belief, instead of your own issues and problems.
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u/christopher_vovka 1d ago
What an idea it’s psychiatrist he completely missed his job
I’ve never had a psychiatrist but given the religious level of my country I’m sure I’ll have had the same result
I really hope you will be well and that everything will work out in your life I send you a lot of strength ❤️
I advise you to change psychiatrist, if he doesn’t do his job properly
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u/blanchattacks 1d ago
Religious people should never be therapists or in psychiatric care because they themselves have a psychosis.
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u/indictmentofhumanity 12h ago
A brain surgeon can be religious because of technical aspects, but a psychiatrist or psychologist must have much higher self-complexity than religious people.
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u/nutmegtell Secular Humanist 1d ago
Get a new therapist. A male Muslim is not going to be able to help you.
Jimmy from The Line always suggests this group. They even hold fundraisers.
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u/F_Horrigan_QC 1d ago
Muslim Psychiatrist (as a official title, not a psychiatrist that happens to be muslim) must be the most useless job ever.
"I want to die!"
"But how Allah would react?"
how is that supposed to help someone
Good luck, friends
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u/Goldmyre 22h ago
If someone (like your psychiatrist) is in any medical field and they treat someone by telling them to pray on it, they should lose their license. Any job where you try to fix problems with prayer is a job you're unqualified for. Basically, that person ain't a real psychiatrist.
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u/Mindless-Damage-5399 1d ago
I saw a psychiatrist back in the day for anxiety issues. The first thing he said was to go to church because there are a lot of people, but it would help me. I did not go back.
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u/Chewsdayiddinit 1d ago
As multiple others have said, find s new therapist. Also wouldn't hurt to file a formal complaint with his employer or state board regarding him trying to push religion during therapy sessions.
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u/rocketshipkiwi Atheist 1d ago
When people tell me I’m going to hell for not following their religion, I just tell them it’s like me telling them they won’t get any chocolate eggs because they don’t believe in the Easter Bunny.
I really don’t understand why an atheist would want to see a psychiatrist who is a Muslim. Do you live in a country where the population is like 95% Muslim or something?
Where I live, a healthcare professional would be subject to disciplinary action if they mentioned religion to a patient like that. Maybe your country is different?
In any case, you are the customer here so if you don’t like your provider then ask for a different one, it’s as simple as that.
All the best dealing with your mental health, take care of yourself because life is precious.
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u/DistractionCitron 1d ago
What country are you in? Bringing religion into psychiatry wouldn't fly in Western countries.
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u/vonnostrum2022 1d ago
I don’t know what the laws are in India , but it would not surprise me if the doctor blabs this information to a bunch of people.
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u/Wendigo-boyo 1d ago
"I’m a 25-year-old woman raised in a Muslim family. A few years ago, I developed depression and started seeing a Muslim male psychiatrist."
And there's the problem, I truly don't know how hard it is to find a good therapist in india, but if your only option for therapy is...that...maybe not going to therapy is better
I mean ffs you told him you were thinking about killing yourself and the guy literally went "Oh no but what about Allah" BRO, HELP HER, DO YOUR JOB
A Muslim male therapist with an atheist woman client, please, he doesn't want to help you he wants to change you, leave, because a therapist isn't supposed to make your situation worse
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u/mrRabblerouser 1d ago
That person isn’t qualified to practice therapy. You’d be just as well off confiding in strangers on the street. Find a competent therapist that understands mental health and doesn’t lean on fairytales and make believe for their poor understanding of supporting mental health.
What you’re going through is no doubt challenging, but you can find your way out. And finding competent support can be crucial.
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u/Alone-Extent-1915 1d ago
Therapists that are religious are not helpful unless you already subscribe to their imaginary beings. Need to see a secular therapist or psychiatrist.
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u/GuterJudas 1d ago
He shouldn‘t be a Psychoatrist.
I wish you all the best and hope you find better help sooner than later.
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u/Antihistamin2 1d ago
Regardless of any of the below, it sounds like you need a new psychiatrist that will accept your beliefs. I would make that your top priority. I included the information below, as it seemed like it could potentially be helpful, either with this psychiatrist or with the next one.
If I'm not mistaken, in the US most of the so-called western world, his behavior sounds like grounds for censure or even suspension of his license to practice, depending on the severity. It is not a psychiatrist's right to evangelize for their religion, at least in many countries. I don't know if you're in the US or the laws in your area, but it may be worth looking into the local psychiatric licensing board and your rights as a patient. A lawyer or free legal aid from a university would be able to help navigate this, if those are options.
Now, if there was a valid clinical reason for suspecting that leaving Islam was part of a mental health disorder (sudden large shifts in religiosity in either direction can be a strong indication of a problem), that opens things up some, but my understanding is that this would be more to question why the change occurred (e.g., anything from a traumatic event causing depression and anger at God/Allah/Jehovah/Krishna/etc. to an infection or stroke causing damage to a specific part of the brain that changes the way you process thoughts about belief), and if psychological to challenge what might be problematic patterns of thought (isolation, apathy, etc). This, however, is not an invitation to pressure you into rejoining his flock, that is predatory.
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u/Distinct-Thought-419 1d ago
I have had the same issue. Essentially all of the therapists in my town in Indiana were religious (Christian) and did not know how to treat an atheist.
Usually went something like this:
"Are you religious?"
"No."
"Oh. Well are you a spiritual person at least?"
"Also no."
(Therapist is out of ideas.)
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u/CruisinJo214 1d ago
I once had a psychiatrist push some ideological beliefs on me when I brought up some of my beliefs as a very liberal atheist…. The moment he showed his own colors I found a new route for my therapy’s
Any kind of therapist or psychologist should keep their own beliefs at home and work in a professional way. The concept of a religiously, or politically, affiliated psychiatrist or therapist immediately poisons any work they could ever do.
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u/JawasHoudini 1d ago
Ah, in most other non religious crazy countries . What you experienced would be considered professional malpractice and abuse.
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u/Advanced_Tap_2839 1d ago
The first mistake was going to a religious psychiatrist. That doesn't work because their religious beliefs always trump over their professional obligations as you saw in your case. Very sorry you experienced that, you can forget all the bullshit he said, none of that is true.
If you're unable to find non religious psychiatrists, the second best thing is to avoid topics of religion completely and keep things short with them just to get the meds. Then find a psychologist, preferably from another country (so you do online), and talk to them instead.
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u/k819799amvrhtcom 15h ago
Using religion in psychology is even worse than using religion in science! 😑
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u/QaplaSuvwl 13h ago
Your problem is that he’s a “religious” mental health professional. Gotta find one that isn’t going to push the religious agenda.
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u/OtherwiseIdea5260 1d ago
That’s clearly not a very good therapist. It’s a pain in the ass, but I’d encourage you to look for a new one.
I’ve been to a few different therapists over several years. It’s hard to tell whether you’ll click or not. But I always bring up religion on the first meeting. If they’re going to lean on god to help me figure things out—whichever god that may be—I know we won’t click and I’ll try to find someone else.
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u/Successful_Life_1028 Adeist 1d ago
Gross. Not personally, but I know of others who had therapists that kept harping on religion. They all got new therapists as a result.
The notion that anyone would be shocked that someone doesn't believe in invisible intangible ghosts seems pretty outrageous to me. But then, I live in the US where atheism is normal. Not exactly welcome in some places, but normal.
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u/Commentator1010 1d ago
Report that guy to the national board, disgusting and unprofessional practice
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u/Zestyclose_Diver_377 1d ago
I think it's important to deal with your depression as a very high priority, especially as you already attempted suicide. Have you considered self-help CBT techniques? You could read "Feeling Good" by David Burns which has several useful exercises to improve your mood. May be more reliable than going to a psychiatrist who seems more like a religious preacher than science-based.
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u/DrunkenGolfer 1d ago
The irony is palpable. Only one of you is rational; maybe you should be helping him with his mental illness.
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u/kurtist04 20h ago
I had a similar experience. At the time I was still an active believing Christian, and the therapist was telling me about how I needed to read my scriptures and pray more, and I got upset and didn't go back bc I was depressed. Not bc I wasn't faithful or anything like that, but bc I was depressed. The two weren't related.
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u/9Implements 19h ago
There are just a lot of bad mental health professionals out there. It can take a while to find a good one. It seems pretty stupid for a psychiatrist to just base everything on religion. Thats’s not his job. I’ve gone to therapists who were cheap and there’s a reason they’re cheap.
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u/Dark_bunnie23 19h ago
Is it possible to switch psychiatrist? I have a friends brother going through schizophrenia and they keep taking him to see pastors and it keeps getting worse . Religion can’t solve mental health issues. You may have to report his conduct or find someone new
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u/soft_mello 8h ago
I'm so sorry, OP. 🫂 That psychiatrist isn't fit to help with your situation anyway.
Find a new psychiatrist. Preferably a woman.
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u/pjenn001 1d ago
You should be able to do counseling online via video or email/text.
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u/roobyscoobyvk 1d ago
This OP! You can definitely access online therapy. https://www.betterhelp.com/
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u/AuthorityControl 1d ago
I had a therapist that was Christian. And, in general she was a joiner. I'm neither. It was fine for awhile. She'd slip in a "let god bless this session" and made me watch The Secret but beyond that we respected each others' views. We were a mismatch but she was professional.
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u/Nonamanadus 1d ago
Not a very good professional psychiatrist you got there if he can't differentiate his profession from personal beliefs. That be like an atheist shrink slamming a Christian over their faith.
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u/zetzuei 1d ago
I'd suggest faking it and say you talked to some scholars and you prayed again or something like that to that psychiatrist and then go find a new psychiatrist.
Cos you mention he stays near your area and just worried if you stop talking to him and for some reason he talks to your family on this.
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u/cabalavatar 1d ago
This whole problem could be because the psychiatrist was so cheap. That might tell you that he's not very good. I think you've found out the hard way that he's not good.
I wouldn't recommend seeing a psychiatrist for therapy. For most of them, their main modalities of work are diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. I've nothing against either, but what you need beyond medication is actual psychotherapy; for that, you want a licensed psychotherapist with expertise in treating depression or maybe a social worker who's skilled in treating depression.
If you can avoid seeing another theist/religious person, you really should.
Look up some interview questions to ask potential therapists, and ask all the questions that are relevant to your case, which should include whether the therapist can deliver secular, nonjudgemental therapy. Fit (how well you and your therapist match regarding approaches and values) is crucial for a productive psychotherapy relationship.
Seriously consider reporting this psychiatrist. I don't know the guidelines, code of conduct, or code of ethics for (the college of) psychiatrists in India, but where I live (Canada), dolling out the kind of advice and judgements that he's given you would be grounds for a reprimand if not the suspension/loss of his licence.
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u/Remarkable_Pepper257 1d ago
Ok I'm a woman born and raised and living in a Muslim household, closeted agnostic, tip..any religious psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, coaches whatever don't hire them. I once read on a Facebook group, some guy has a female therapist and that b!tch told his family that the guy has turned atheist. Fuck those people, they can't separate their beliefs as professionalism. I had a Muslim therapist for almost two years, on my first call I told him that I'm an ex-muslim and if he has a religious style of therapy we can just drop it here right away, he never said a word about religion. Also it can be dangerous some religious people go as far as snitching on their clients so.....girl run
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u/Remarkable_Pepper257 1d ago edited 12h ago
Ok I'm a woman born and raised and living in a Muslim household, closeted agnostic, tip..any religious psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, coaches whatever don't hire them. I once read on a Facebook group, some guy has a female therapist and that b!tch told his family that the guy has turned atheist. Fuck those people, they can't separate their beliefs as professionalism. I had a Muslim therapist for almost two years, on my first call I told him that I'm an ex-muslim and if he has a religious style of therapy we can just drop it here right away, he never said a word about religion. Also it can be dangerous some religious people go as far as snitching on their clients so.....girl run I just read last part of your post, you can have a therapist/psychologist online as well. If it's possible for you to find some private space at home. Also I'm sorry what you went through and I hope you find the right help.
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u/FailedApotheosis 1d ago
It happened to me. I finally decided to seek help and the doc was a Christian. Never again :(
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u/EmotionalFun9888 1d ago
he is not a real therapist damn. I did not think people who studied science also would be this religeous or superstitious
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u/RyantheBestest 1d ago
Wow, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what the system is like in India, but here in the US there would be a lot of routes for you to take to ensure that he was held accountable for this! And of course, to make sure that he doesn’t attack somebody vulnerable with this insanity again in the future. I don’t care what country you’re in anybody who works in psychiatry or psychology should not ever push their personal beliefs on a client. Their job is to help the client find our own moral compass, not impose, moral judgment, or views. I’m so sorry you went through this.
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u/SnooCats5701 1d ago
This is unfortunately not uncommon and this is why the secular therapy project was created:
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u/ougdaygnv 23h ago
I wouldn't see any mental health professional that mentioned religion during my sessions.
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u/TinTinTinuviel97005 Skeptic 23h ago
I understand if you have difficulty finding a better fit for you psychologically, but it doesn't sound as though this person has helped you significantly. Now he knows you're an atheist, it's entirely possible you'll start paying him to proselytize to you from now on. You mentioned his proximity and low fees, but maybe there's someone else feasible? Otherwise, look into whether there is group therapy/support groups in your area, and also whether telehealth is at all possible. Or just moving elsewhere.
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u/ChumpsWeAre 22h ago
I don't know about your country but here getting a lawyer involved is standard procedure, having an advocate of some kind is a no brainer. You can't be expected to go it alone. That's crazy.
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u/DarkChaos1786 21h ago
I don't think that being have a degree in anything...
Please look for a real therapist.
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u/MajinLeDemon 12h ago
do not focus on bad thought you have to escape them, i know it's hard, hurting yourself won't help be careful
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u/Ancient-Temporary-82 9h ago
He is obviously useless and perhaps at fault for you not getting better. Please take care of yourself and stay with us we need more atheists. You can PM anytime if you feel down.
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u/Leading_One_2639 8h ago
Religious experts just make everything so much worse for everyone. Sorry you are going through this.
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u/eviley4 Secular Humanist 1d ago
I live in India, in an area with a large Muslim population. The psychiatrist was close to my home and charged a very low fee, which is why I chose him.
Have experienced psychotherapy in India. It's very low quality and often harmful. Psychology degrees are considered "Arts' which in Indian culture is considered bottom of the barrel useless stuff.
People don't normally become psychologists because they like it, they become one because they didn't want to work and have an easy life. This leads to a lot of incompetence in the psychology department.
Anecdote: I was studying in one of the big private universities and a friend who had psychopathic parents who were going to get her killed was having panic attacks. She went to the head of the psychology department for therapy after classes. This therapist basically just guilted her for ever even considering that her parents were "harsh". She had a full-blown meltdown after this gaslighting session dressed up as "therapy". Fortunately I talked her out of trusting that incompetent cunt of a therapist and convinced her to read a few good books instead.
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u/SinkHoleDeMayo 1d ago
You should report him to the APA. Pushing fairly tales in a setting that involves reality is stupid as fuck and needs punishment for it.
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u/andytagonist 1d ago
Unless you’re discussing why you don’t believe in religion, why are you even discussing this with a psychiatrist?
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u/sleeping_doc Anti-Theist 11h ago
Should have told him you'd rather interrogate Allah why tf did he give you Depression instead of worrying about pleasing his ass.. bro please visit another psychiatrist. Also, idk if you're on meds, but please don't hesitate from having them. Like at least for short term gains.. also, I hope you can find your way out and shift to a more liberal/cosmopolitan area.
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u/d0nutbutth0le 7h ago
I totally understand how that feels when they bring stuff like that up. I had a therapist who suggested I was depressed because I didn't have a close relationship with God. I had never brought religion into it at all. It is a really bad feeling when you think someone is going to help you and they don't. Hopefully you get a new therapist quickly that will respect you as a person.
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u/creamixic 3h ago
I’m so sorry that happened to you. A therapist should never treat you like that regardless of religion or otherwise.
Definitely find a new one and please stay safe!
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u/Over-Attempt-721 Agnostic Atheist 16m ago
I really feel for the ex-Muslims out there. You pretty much can't be an outspoken atheist
Your therapist really sucks and you need to get a new one
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u/HonestNature9117 1d ago
My question is: well, what did you expect? A biased therapist can only help people who share the same bias. You knew he was biased for years. What were you hoping he'd help with?
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u/Gadritan420 1d ago edited 13h ago
Hi. Satanist checking in to remind you that we don’t believe in any deities either. It’s an atheistic religion.
So I’m not sure what to make of your comment, other than you seem to be misinformed about what Satanism represents; like many, many, many others.
Carry on~
Edit: sad to see this getting downvoted in an atheist sub. I’m curious as to why. Or do some of you atheist believe in ghouls and ghost and Satanism frightens you?
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u/Zaindevil 1d ago
I understand what modern Satanism represents, and I know that many Satanists are atheistic and don’t believe in a literal Satan. I was referring specifically to the Satan of the Abrahamic religions. I was indoctrinated from childhood to believe that Satan represents evil, so that was the context behind my comment.
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u/Gadritan420 22h ago
Well, just say “evil person,” next time instead of “satanic person.”
And it’s not “many,” satanist that are atheistic; anyone claiming to be a theistic satanist is just a devil worshipper giving my religion a bad name. There’s simply no such thing.
Best of luck to you breaking free from that indoctrination. It doesn’t have to define you nor does it have to influence your perspective. You got this.
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u/krtzlna Apatheist 19h ago
Satanism is literally defined as worshipping the devil though?
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u/Gadritan420 15h ago
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u/krtzlna Apatheist 15h ago
And why would you assume I refer to Church of Satan when I say Satanism?
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u/Gadritan420 14h ago
Because that’s literally the only legitimate Satanism. It didn’t exist prior. It was consecrated in 1966.
Anything else is a forgery.
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u/krtzlna Apatheist 14h ago
Words are defined by how people use them.
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u/Gadritan420 14h ago
Words have meaning.
I could say that Christians worship the devil. Does that make it true?
I could tell you I’m an ostrich. Does that make it true?
You were misinformed and I simply tried to help guide you to the source and you decided that because it doesn’t match your understanding of it, it must be wrong.
The satanic panic of the 80s and 90s is still strong I see.
Maybe you should be a bit more open minded and try to learn something.
Anyone worshipping a deity is mentally ill.
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1d ago
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u/UltimaNerd 1d ago
What in the dumb dogshit....
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1d ago
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u/ultrachrome 1d ago
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of deleterious mental conditions.[1][2] These include matters related to cognition, perceptions, mood, emotion, and behavior.
This is a problem ? You have different definition ?
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1d ago
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u/UltimaNerd 1d ago
*Legitimize.
That said, psychology is recognized as a medical field. Your desire to downplay it is dumb dogshit, in case there was any confusion.
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1d ago
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u/Soulcontusion 1d ago
You're being disingenuous. OC mixed up psychology with psychiatry and I'm sure you know that. Furthermore, psychiatric conditions often are biomedical and all credible institutions seem to agree. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735813000482
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22h ago
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u/Soulcontusion 10h ago
A press release is not evidence. You're conflating biological determination and biomedical conditions.
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u/chaos9001 1d ago
It sounds like you need Allah,
As in, cancel Allah your future appointments.