National Review - An eye for detail
Dr. Rob Long–I was greatly distressed to learn that your client Hillary Clinton had stabbed you in the eye with a pencil. As I’m sure you know, the best predictor of violent behavior is past violent behavior, so I was surprised at your lack of precaution with this particular woman.
Be that as it may, as a colleague, I wanted to offer some consultation on the case. Regarding medications, you are mistaken about “blockading” D2 receptors with Zyprexa and Seroquel. These block some D2 receptors, but primarily block serotonin receptors. The older, “typical” antipsychotics, such as thorazine, exclusively block D2 receptors. You note that the medications had little impact on the client’s delusions; this is not unusual with deep-seated delusions reinforced by equally deluded followers.
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The symptoms you listed seem explainable as manifestations of mania and depression, indicating that the client may be suffering from a variation of bipolar disorder. The client’s lack of family history for such disorders raises questions about this diagnosis, but her supporters’ sharing her delusions may have triggered the current crisis without much help from genes.
Finally, the immersion therapy that led to the lost eye is a very high-risk intervention with a client who suffers from delusions of grandeur and has a history of acting-out behavior. I know you chose this course with good intentions, but I would warn you away from further efforts of this sort. I fear that the only way to help this client is through years of depth psychotherapy, in which you can slowly deconstruct and rebuild her character in a manner that allows her to face life’s painful realities.
By all means, in subsequent sessions, sit as near the exit as you can. Warm regards for a quick recovery.
Elliott Ingersoll, Psychologist
Kent, Ohio
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