Dr. Paul & Joaquin Phoenix
Dr. Paul was recently interviewed by the LA Times about Joaquin Phoenix’s recent appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Dr. Paul stated:
Perhaps it will also clear up the question of whether Phoenix is still an actor at heart or has truly undergone a behavior change. If taken at face value, the actor would appear to be mentally ill, says Chicago-based psychiatrist Paul Dobransky, a relationships expert and author of “The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love.”
Dobransky says Phoenix’s “socially inappropriate” behavior reflects some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, a brain-based disease that causes people to lose touch with reality. Phoenix’s appearance as well as his career change, poor hygiene and grooming, vocal tics (such as muttering) and lack of facial emotion are classic symptoms of mental illness, Dobransky says.
“I was pretty offended by that skit at the Oscars,” Dobransky said today in an interview. “It struck me as potentially beating down on the mentally ill.”
Dobransky said much of Phoenix’s behavior on “Letterman” hinted at mental illness, such as wearing sunglasses, which may suggest paranoia. “There is something wrong. And it’s beyond drug abuse.” The public should refrain from mocking Phoenix, the psychiatrist said, because real mental illness is cause for compassion.
“The jury is not exactly in on what is happening,” Dobransky said. “Whatever it is, it’s not funny –whether it’s drug abuse, mental illness coming on, or the clumsiest attempt ever at a career change.”
The comments were responded to by Joaquin Phoenix’s agent at MTV, Newsday, US Magazine, and ENews!:
“How absolutely inappropriate for a doctor who has no personal interaction or relationship with someone to diagnose them,” Sue Patricola said. “And to do so in a public forum. Hope they spelled his name right. Another 15-minute ‘expert’ is born!”
Sue Patricola doesn’t realize that Dr. Paul treats schizophrenia patients at his day dig at a major hospital in Chicago. Dr. Paul teaches them MindOS (the foundation for David Deangelo’s Deep Inner Game product) to deal with boundaries, confidence, and emotional issues as well with prescribed medication. I don’t think Dr. Paul said Phoenix was mentally ill, rather that his behavior was reminiscent of patients who have schizophrenia.
It’s cool that Dr. Paul’s name is getting out there, even if it was misinterpreted.
Popularity: 1%
Comment by Greg Silva on 28 February 2009:
I think the fact that Phoenix’s publicist responded by attacking Dr. Paul, rather than getting Phoenix to a hospital, or at least admitting that he’s been a little strange lately, is a major clue that Phoenix’s behavior is a put-on.
Comment by BrazilianPUA on 2 March 2009:
Dr. Paul’s analysis is superficial. He shouldn’t make a diagnosis based on a 10-minute TV interview.
But he wants to spread his name and sell his products. So any TV appearance is welcome so that he can add another “as seen on bla bla” to his website.
If you call him and ask if El Niño is coming again this year or what does he think about the last Clint Eastwood’s movie, I’m sure he’ll be glad to answer on national television.
He might be a doctor, but it doesn’t mean he has overcome his ego and need for personal and professional recognition.
You see, judgementalism is a social disease.
I’m sure Joaquin Phoenix was just having some fun.
Comment by Donovan on 2 March 2009:
Brazilian PUA, it must be a language barrier.
Of course his analysis was superficial, and I just got through saying that he didn’t do a DIAGNOSIS on the person, but the portrayed behavior. Just like Dr. Paul did a DIAGNOSIS on the behavior portrayed in movies.
“But he wants to spread his name and sell his products. So any TV appearance is welcome so that he can add another “as seen on bla bla” to his website.”
OF COURSE. HAHAHAHAHAHA Thanks for the amazing diagnosis on his publicity. That doesn’t mean the tabloids didn’t take it out of context.
D
Comment by BrazilianPUA on 2 March 2009:
“There is something wrong. And it’s beyond drug abuse.”
How can Dr. Paul be SURE about that?
Maybe Phoenix was just in a bad mood, maybe he mistakenly sit on his own balls that day.
Anyway. I respect Dr. Paul’s work and and agree when he talks about compassion for the mentally ill. And I know that a LOT of “gurus” based their products on Dr. Paul’s ideas. Fact.
Back to the controversy: Dr. Paul says that sunglasses may suggest paranoia. Other doctors say that it may suggest social anxiety. Others might say it suggests coolness and fuckoffness.
This is my point. Dr. Paul’s opinion should not be treated as a diagnosis.
So I guess we agree afterall. haha
BTW, I’m not value-judging his publicity but only “diagnosing” it. I’d probably do the same if I had a website. The fact is that he uses media appearances to his benefit.
There is a huge difference between diagnosis (stating that someone is ill) and value judgement (saying that someone is weird or wrong).
Comment by Donovan on 2 March 2009:
“Back to the controversy: Dr. Paul says that sunglasses may suggest paranoia. Other doctors say that it may suggest social anxiety. Others might say it suggests coolness and fuckoffness.”
Not when it’s combined with other behavior was his point. The LA Times asked him for his opinion based on what he observed, not from a personal interaction, so clearly the publicist is using Dr. Paul’s “diagnosis” to further the ends of her client by not accurately portraying Dr. Paul’s circumstances.
“How can Dr. Paul be SURE about that? Maybe Phoenix was just in a bad mood, maybe he mistakenly sit on his own balls that day.”
The behavior wasn’t just on Letterman, it’s been for the last month or so.
“There is something wrong. And it’s beyond drug abuse.”
I think that’s an accurate assessment of Joaquin. Whether its mental illness, stress, or a put on, he’s saying that drug abuse wouldn’t cause this behavior, and it could potentially be THIS or THAT. Which is what he stated.
Comment by padlock on 3 March 2009:
So there’s a possibility Joaquin Phoenix is suffering from mental illness which is tragic and he needs help. The other possibilities are that he’s on drugs and he hasn’t learned a thing from his bothers OD death and he’s a huge douche bag, or he’s being a “typical” actor drumming up some publicity for something which also makes him a huge douche bag. I think Dr. Paul just verbalized what a lot of people might be thinking; minus the whole douche bag part of course…
Comment by TightGame on 6 March 2009:
Yeah, I heard Dr. Paul on the Barry Kirkey show a few months ago. The guy came across as a socially uncalibrated, egotistical blowhard, mesmerized by his own intelligence. Was really arrogant about the fact that because he had been in school for 26 years and had all these advanced degrees, he was the only guy out there qualified to teach pickup as an academic discipline. He came across as a total creep.
It’s funny, when you get these guys in a situation where people aren’t buying into their guru persona (like on the BRKS), then people see how strange and douchy they really are. So, yeah Dr. Paul…stop the armchair diagnosis and concentrate on de-douching your personality.
Comment by Peter on 6 March 2009:
@TightGame Another keyboard jockey never going out into the field…
I’ve taken Dr P’s seminar and have seen him in action. The guy is not at all douchey and totally not the “typical” Dr. We went out, partying, getting numbers, chicks all around him yet still helping me out, he’s magnetic, and not at all “diva-like”. He still sends me emails checking up on me, asking how things are. Thats a true friend.
Comment by Maestro on 7 March 2009:
Good to hear your comment, Peter. Those who know Paul know he was showing concern for Phoenix; not trying to get his “15 minutes of fame”, as Phoenix’s press agent cynically put it.
It takes a real douchebag, like Phoenix’s press agent, to pretend that there’s nothing wrong with his client’s behavior.
Comment by Dr.No on 18 March 2009:
I don’t know Dr Paul in person, but I’ve watched him in some videos. And he may be a good doctor, his Mindos seems like a good product/system, but he seems like a total weirdo, his presence on the stage is terrible, he has no charisma, he is not funny at all, even though he tries so hard.
Maybe Dr Paul has realized all that and now he’s trying to focus on other aspects of his career.
Comment by David H on 15 July 2009:
> mesmerized by his own intelligence. Was really arrogant
> about the fact that because he had been in school for 26 years
> and had all these advanced degrees
I have to agree. Dr Paul is a bit of a pseud. When he does his bit for David Deangelo he keeps saying “boundary function” which is some complex mathsey thing that he is *not* talking about. He’s only talking about personal boundaries and says “boundary function” in the hope of sounding smarter than he is. Try hard. This comes over very badly.
David Deangelo has no such pretense. Essentially humble, he avoids this trap entirely. Seeing him sucking up to Dr Paul (and Dr Paul patronizing him) is cringe-worthy given that Mr Deangelo is the smarter, if less educated, of the two.
That said, I found some of Dr Paul’s ideas (e.g. boundary holes vs doors) useful.
Comment by bothsides on 4 August 2009:
Dr. Paul makes it his life to help others, and whether he’s a natural entertainer on talk shows or not, he’s out there to give us perspective and positive advice.
I understand pop psychology authors can seem inconsistent at times, but out of all of them DP has the most intelligent and applicable outlooks. Just because you don’t believe in what he has to say about joaquin doesn’t mean he has no credibility whatsoever.