Pleasure Principle | The People's Therapist

Posts Tagged ‘Pleasure Principle’

Your inner little twerp

Posted in AskThePeople'sTherapistSeries, tagged ADHD, awareness, best self, Id, inner child, OCD, personality, Pleasure Principle, psychotherapy on February 22, 2012| 2 Comments »

I received the following letter regarding humankind’s on-going battle with its own impulses:

Hi Will,

I really enjoy reading your blog, you give great insight. I have often been told that I need to focus (I do not have ADHD or any other attention disorder).My problem or what others see as a problem is that I tend have a large array of interests and life goals that are not necessarily connected for which I have much passion. There so many things I want to do, but the older I get the more I feel like everyone is right. I need to pick an area or two at most on which to focus. I have heard the arguments for and against the jack of all trades approach to life, but I am still not sold. I don’t want to focus; I want to do it all. I am I being overly idealistic? Is it necessary for one to focus on their energy on one specific passion? If so, how does one decide how to go about focusing their energy on something specific?

-DH

And here’s my response:

To submit a question to Ask The People’s Therapist, please email it as text or a video to: wmeyerhofer@aquietroom.com

If I answer your question on the site, you’ll win a free session of psychotherapy with The People’s Therapist.
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If you’re interested in learning more about the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of psychotherapy, you might enjoy my first book, “Life is a Brief Opportunity for Joy”

My second book takes a humorous look at the current state of the legal profession, “Way Worse Than Being A Dentist”

(Both books are also available on bn.com and the Apple iBookstore.)

For information on my private practice, click here.

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Your Id – and Sarah Palin

Posted in Current Events, Intriguing Patients, tagged healthcare, Id, inner child, Pleasure Principle, regression, Republicans, Sarah Palin, Scott Brown, Tea Partiers, Tea Party, Tea Party movement, thisiswhyyourefat.com on September 15, 2010| 1 Comment »

There are foods no rational human would knowingly ingest: the stuff listed on this website.

Why would you eat a double bacon peanut butter egg and cheese burger with chipotle mayo?

Because you think it will taste good.

To be precise, a little child inside you thinks it will taste good. That little child is unconscious, and he seeks pleasure. Freud called him the “Id.” He doesn’t think. He reaches for something shiny because it’s shiny.

Welcome to the appeal of Sarah Palin.

Sarah is the political equivalent of marshmallow fluff, chocolate fudge, mac & cheese and cookie dough in a deep fryer.

Why does she look like she’ll taste good – and why is she so bad for you?:

FIRST REASON: Sarah has an easy answer for EVERYTHING.

Millions of Americans without healthcare? Sarah would shrink government while lowering costs, cutting taxes and creating jobs. It’s THAT SIMPLE!!

Foreign Affairs? Sarah would stand tall against our enemies and stop terrorism in its tracks while keeping us the strongest nation in the world.

Immigration? Sarah would stand up for real Americans and protect our jobs.

The environment? There’s plenty of oil – we just have to drill for it! Sarah doesn’t believe in global warming. We can do whatever we want. That’s what the planet’s there for – having fun!

What else is there?

Who cares!

Sarah would cut taxes, build the economy, create jobs, shrink government, make America strong and bring the family back – like things used to be in the olden days! Everything would be super!!

You betcha.

Does any of this make sense?

Does washing down a bag of Doritos with a two liter bottle of Mountain Dew and a super-size bag of peanut butter M&M’s make sense? Does it have to make sense?

It feels good. Until a few hours later. When you throw up.

SECOND REASON: Sarah’s just like you!

Palin’s Tea Party supporters are always stressing how “real” Sarah is. That word – “real” – is code for “just like me!” Your Id, like a small child, is by definition a narcissist – he cannot see where he stops and another person begins, so doesn’t see anyone or anything beyond his own reflection.

Neither does Sarah!

She brings you…you. Not like that weirdo Obama, who’s…well…umm…he looks “different” – you know what I mean?

Your Id wants to have fun. He seeks pleasure. That’s the “Pleasure Principle.” Your unconscious – this child – is utterly regressed. He likes sugar, and shiny things. He likes Sarah.

In case you need a male Sarah Palin? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

That would be Scott Brown.