Well after watching this series and trying to keep up with all the messages on this board, lol. I would like to address some issues with this series itself and with the way Dr. P has handled things that has left me feeling baffled and bewildered. As a person who has both helped and worked with battered women, and I also have a family member with a mental illness (bi polar and Intermittent Explosive Disorder). Some of the things I have seen, I understand, but some of them, I find really strange and weird.
First, It is very clear to me that Jeffery has gone completely over the edge of sanity and reason.
As to this, I don't understand why Dr. P agreed to send him away for professional help for only 2 weeks?????? This man clearly needs both intensive therapy and more than likely several medications.
Since most medications for these types of behavior (mood stabilizers, anti psychotics, etc) are usually given (when available) in a time -released formula, I think anyone who has a friend, family member or someone they know or work with that has a mental illness can tell you that 2 weeks is just BARELY enough time for a medication to reach a stable, even level in a person's body and brain to have ANY effect at all. This is only IF they don't have to modify the dosage amounts and/or make changes to medications, and only IF he has a positive reaction to the medications and has no bad side effects. I wish I had made a copy of some of the posts I was reading when this series first came out, but I didn't, but I remember reading a post from a person who was commenting on how this show's theme has seemed to change in the last couple years from the formula of trying to help people to seeing how much DRAMA can be stirred up. Bringing this man back after ONLY 2 weeks to me is stating clearly that this series IMO is about DRAMA ONLY. He was NO were near ready.
To those who keep asking WHY Dr. P seems to be trying to talk her into keeping her marriage intact and leading him on to believe that things will be worked out, I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT HE IS DOING AT ALL. I have seen this too many times, usually when you have someone that is this MUCH over the edge, you will say or do anything to keep them calm and don't feed into their fears. I believe Dr. P is telling him what HE WANTS TO HEAR at this point to keep him calm enough to get him the treatment he IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF. I really think Dr. P is trying to get him calm enough, and get him into treatment so he can accept and deal with the reality of the situation (DIVORCE)! As we are seeing right now, those on EST on 5/11/07 when he is told the truth of the situation and he is CLEARLY NOT READY TO HANDLE IT and it causes major problems and again DRAMA!!!
I have also seen numerous posts addressing her being unfaithful, To this, I completely understand WHY Dr. P did NOT address this while HE WAS ON THE STAGE WITH HIS WIFE. People in this condition will grab onto ANYTHING they can to validate their OWN BEHAVIOR, and if this was brought up at the time, thats all we would have heard from him. BUT, IMO this does NOT give Dr. P the right to NOT address this issue when he was backstage or at another time when he could not hear or was not around. I think many of us who have watched Dr. P for several years find this HYPOCRITICAL on his part.
This last part, I am sure some of you will disagree with, but I am going to say it anyway. I started helping with the phone lines and with the battered women's shelter as part of a project with a psy. class 5 years ago when I went back to college to work on my degree. I have seen many women who have been in very similar situations and that have been scared for their lives and their safety.
These women DO NOT and usually WILL NOT do ANYTHING to aggravate the situation and make it worse. (staying out til 3 in the morning, and I truly believe this happened more than once. The email messages with other men, and having affairs) I'm sorry, but her tears seem FAKE to me to a certain extent, and there was several times she had a funny looking smirk/smile on her face that told me she was enjoying telling him about it and watching Dr. P grill him. She has NOT shown the type of behavior of a woman who is terrified and scared for her life. Yes, she has been abused and treated VERY BADLY by Jeffery, don't misunderstand me, but I think there is MORE to this situation than meets the eye. EXAMPLE: when they were on stage during the 1st show and were talking about the SEX situation, they both seemed very on edge and uncomfortable and wiggling in their chairs and they both tried to avoid talking about it. Now I believe what people do in their BEDROOMS is their OWN business, but I got the feeling that there was more here that we DO NOT know about that MAY or MAY NOT have something to do with some of this.
I am watching her on tv right now 5-11-07 talk about going home when she refused to do what he wanted and here again, I just don't see her looking really worried or upset or scared.
The incredible drama continues involving Jeffrey, an obsessive husband who won’t let go of his wife, Jennifer. After the last show, Jeffrey is on his way back to the treatment facility, when his anger gets the best of him, and he jumps out of the car and goes on the run. He finally calls his therapist from a taxi cab, but soon after is on the loose again. After four hours and a frenzy of phone calls with Dr. Phil show producers, see what Jeffrey demands. With the stress and pressure getting the best of her, Jennifer sits down with Dr. Phil to discuss their next step. In a hurried panic, Jennifer heads home and is shocked by what she finds when she walks in the front door. She takes her kids and flees to her mother’s house. Even though she’s in a safe place, why does she say she still lives in fear? Then, Jennifer’s attorney files papers and meets Jeffrey in front of a judge. Will Jeffrey be able to comply with the judge's orders? And, Jeffrey resumes talk with the Dr. Phil staff. What is he asking for? Jeffrey’s behavior continues to shock and mystify Jennifer and leaves her with only one choice. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.
