Mental Health Hot Takes #4
Psychology In Seattle Podcast
00:00
Diagnoses used as excuses
Kirk acknowledges frustration at misuse of diagnoses while noting stigma and online dynamics shape these debates.
Play episode from 45:10
Transcript
Transcript
Episode notes
Dr Kirk Honda reacts to mental health hot takes from the listeners. November 21, 2025
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/KIRK to get 10% off your first month.
00:00 Intro01:16 Self-care culture can cause undue pressure
03:42 Teachers should be banned from using mental health terms
11:04 Autistic individuals are frequently misdiagnosed with Borderline
18:04 Humor is the best coping mechanism
18:13 Those in the US are prone to exaggeration
19:27 Excessive screen time impacts our mental health
25:21 We don't all suddenly have ADHD
27:33 People with personality disorders shouldn't be politicians
30:10 Frequent trauma reflection can become unhealthy wallowing
40:16 People use diagnosis as an excuse for bad behaviors
41:00 It's OK to use Borderline language without a diagnosis
42:33 Authenticity with clients is not about full transparency
46:35 Narcissism is both over and under diagnosed
47:10 Shame isn't always bad
50:05 Medication doesn't work for everyone
52:08 People with psychosis can benefit from talk therapy
55:28 You can cut out those that negatively impact your life
56:36 Therapists only validate their clients
1:00:20 Romantic love is unethical
1:00:58 Trauma dumping is a quick way of rescinding empathy
1:01:10 It is too much work to become a mental health professional
1:08:13 There's too many types of psychotherapy
1:14:38 Boundaries are just a way to be avoidant
1:15:50 Understanding mental illness is still in infancy
1:22:12 Embrace being average
1:26:10 DID is a trauma response not a personality disorder
1:30:31 Mental health issues come from family of origin trauma
1:30:46 EMDR can do more harm than good
1:33:52 Imposter syndrome points to grandiosity rather than humility
1:37:48 Social media isn't harmful per se, just in our societal context
1:38:09 Client-centered therapists "just" listen
1:39:37 CBT is for therapists who are afraid of doing real work
1:42:08 You can't love yourself without being loved by others
1:44:54 Can someone be in love with two people at once?
1:51:22 Schema therapy is the best model
1:54:35 Mandatory therapy should be paid for by the government
1:57:23 Eclectic therapists don't understand any model well enough
1:59:10 Stop focusing on your mental health
2:03:14 Organized attachment is the exception, not the norm
2:05:09 Those in open relationships just have insecure attachment
2:09:29 It's not easy being green
Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUZWV1DRtHtpP2H48S7iiw/join
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/PsychologyInSeattle
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kirk.honda
The Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®
Trigger Warning: This episode may include topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being.
Disclaimer: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, therapy, diagnosis, or creates a counselor-client relationship. Topics discussed may generate differing points of view. If you participate (by being a guest, submitting a question, or commenting) you must do so with the knowledge that we cannot control reactions or responses from others, which may not agree with you or feel unfair. Your participation on this site is at your own risk, accepting full responsibility for any liability or harm that may result. Anything you write here may be used for discussion or endorsement of the podcast. Opinions and views expressed by the host and guest hosts are personal views. Although, we take precautions and fact check, they should not be considered facts and the opinions may change. Opinions posted by participants (such as comments) are not those of the hosts. Readers should not rely on any information found here and should perform due diligence before taking any action. For a more extensive description of factors for you to consider, please see www.psychologyinseattle.com
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/KIRK to get 10% off your first month.
00:00 Intro01:16 Self-care culture can cause undue pressure
03:42 Teachers should be banned from using mental health terms
11:04 Autistic individuals are frequently misdiagnosed with Borderline
18:04 Humor is the best coping mechanism
18:13 Those in the US are prone to exaggeration
19:27 Excessive screen time impacts our mental health
25:21 We don't all suddenly have ADHD
27:33 People with personality disorders shouldn't be politicians
30:10 Frequent trauma reflection can become unhealthy wallowing
40:16 People use diagnosis as an excuse for bad behaviors
41:00 It's OK to use Borderline language without a diagnosis
42:33 Authenticity with clients is not about full transparency
46:35 Narcissism is both over and under diagnosed
47:10 Shame isn't always bad
50:05 Medication doesn't work for everyone
52:08 People with psychosis can benefit from talk therapy
55:28 You can cut out those that negatively impact your life
56:36 Therapists only validate their clients
1:00:20 Romantic love is unethical
1:00:58 Trauma dumping is a quick way of rescinding empathy
1:01:10 It is too much work to become a mental health professional
1:08:13 There's too many types of psychotherapy
1:14:38 Boundaries are just a way to be avoidant
1:15:50 Understanding mental illness is still in infancy
1:22:12 Embrace being average
1:26:10 DID is a trauma response not a personality disorder
1:30:31 Mental health issues come from family of origin trauma
1:30:46 EMDR can do more harm than good
1:33:52 Imposter syndrome points to grandiosity rather than humility
1:37:48 Social media isn't harmful per se, just in our societal context
1:38:09 Client-centered therapists "just" listen
1:39:37 CBT is for therapists who are afraid of doing real work
1:42:08 You can't love yourself without being loved by others
1:44:54 Can someone be in love with two people at once?
1:51:22 Schema therapy is the best model
1:54:35 Mandatory therapy should be paid for by the government
1:57:23 Eclectic therapists don't understand any model well enough
1:59:10 Stop focusing on your mental health
2:03:14 Organized attachment is the exception, not the norm
2:05:09 Those in open relationships just have insecure attachment
2:09:29 It's not easy being green
Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUZWV1DRtHtpP2H48S7iiw/join
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/PsychologyInSeattle
Email: https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/contact
Website: https://www.psychologyinseattle.com
Merch: https://psychologyinseattle-shop.fourthwall.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologyinseattle/
Facebook Official Page: https://www.facebook.com/PsychologyInSeattle/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kirk.honda
The Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®
Trigger Warning: This episode may include topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being.
Disclaimer: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, therapy, diagnosis, or creates a counselor-client relationship. Topics discussed may generate differing points of view. If you participate (by being a guest, submitting a question, or commenting) you must do so with the knowledge that we cannot control reactions or responses from others, which may not agree with you or feel unfair. Your participation on this site is at your own risk, accepting full responsibility for any liability or harm that may result. Anything you write here may be used for discussion or endorsement of the podcast. Opinions and views expressed by the host and guest hosts are personal views. Although, we take precautions and fact check, they should not be considered facts and the opinions may change. Opinions posted by participants (such as comments) are not those of the hosts. Readers should not rely on any information found here and should perform due diligence before taking any action. For a more extensive description of factors for you to consider, please see www.psychologyinseattle.com
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