Disgust Quote by Ved P. Varma
““Some patients who are profoundly multiply disabled are incontinent, smear faeces, cut themselves, dribble, smell, spit, bite, eat mucous, pull their hair, poke their eyes and are hard to understand. Shock at feeling a primitive response of disgust can make the therapist unable to think properly. (...) Sexually abused children and adults who display eroticised behaviour in the therapy room—stripping, exposing themselves, masturbating—can also cause stress for the therapist, especially on the first such occasion.””
About This Quote
Source Journal Article: Clinical Observations on Therapist Stress, 2020
Therapists face intense disgust and stress when confronting extreme, self‑injurious or sexual behaviors in severely disabled patients.
In simple terms: Therapists can be overwhelmed by shocking client actions.
Key Takeaway
Develop coping strategies for therapist well‑being.
Themes
ethics
mental health
trauma
professional boundaries
stress management
Mood
anxious
empathetic
Type
clinical
educational
When to use this quote
- emergency response
- therapy training
- self‑care protocols
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
clinical practice
emotional regulation
patient‑therapist dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can clinicians maintain objectivity?
- What support systems reduce therapist burnout?
A Different Perspective
Therapist bias may impair objective care.
