Dr. Phil McGraw Celebrating a milestone in his career: 20 years on television.
Even before social media, Oprah-endorsed “Dr. Phil” (he’s a producer) performed an open talk about the “silent epidemic” mental health crisis.
“We were going to talk about things you don’t really talk about in polite society and try to bring mental health and illness to the forefront of the narrative in America,” McGraw said in his syndicated Talk shows reminisce about the early days of the day.
Now, two decades later, he continues his mission statement 20th season of his show (days of the week; check local listings), exploring modern conversations about panic attacks, anorexia, cyberbullying and more – topics that can trigger burnout and exhaustion For the talk-show host.
“It’s true that sometimes the themes can be really overwhelming… and it’s a completely immersive experience, so you get totally involved with the family, the story and you put it like a heavy park are,” he says.
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But “once you do, you kind of have to split it up and move on to the next story,” he says. He’ll never forget it, but you have to put it aside and move on, otherwise it will be story after story, and it will be such a burden.
“We don’t deal with problems all day. We deal with solutions,” he insists. “Because if you just focus on the problem, it gets really overwhelming. But if you find out, ‘Hey. We’re giving people tools and solutions,’ then there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. , and you feel hopeful.”
Despite his good intentions, McGraw has faced backlash for exploiting guests experiencing mental-health struggles. In 2008, he apologized for releasing a public statement about his hospital visit. Britney Spears, And recently, he was criticized for “sensational” Actress Shelley Duvall’s mental illness In a controversial 2016 promotional video.
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McGraw acknowledged “a thin line and a balance” between benefitting the mentally ill and spreading awareness, citing a new “Dr. Phil” episode to illustrate that he wants to be a part of his show. What do you see as profit?
“Before the guest came out I talked to the audience and said, ‘We’re going to have a guest here in a few minutes, who has some very unusual thinking that can sound funny in some cases, but I want That everyone remember that this is their life and for them, it’s very real,” McGraw says.
Showing these open conversations in real time “allows us to talk about these issues in a serious way, so that people can go, ‘Wow, my Uncle Bob is exactly like that, and I didn’t know it was a psychic. It’s a disease. It’s not just that it’s weird or strange.’”
The topics are “serious. It’s on TV for a reason. We take it seriously as we go through it and I think if you go about it that way, people respect that fact.” That you’re doing it for some reason.”
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McGraw looks forward to continuing these candid discussions, while honing in on pandemic-specific issues, such as overcoming quarantine-related anxiety.
A modern theme of conflict she has seen in friendships and relationships is: Debate on COVID Vaccine.
“I am deeply disappointed by the fact that we have politicized healthcare,” McGraw says. “We politicized something like a vaccine. We didn’t when I was growing up with the polio vaccine and the smallpox vaccine. Nobody politicized it. It was just, ‘Hey this is a threat, a There is a disease and we have a way to fight it.’”
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But now, it’s become political football. I expect people to say, ‘Look, this isn’t a political thing. I really need to look at the science and find a credible outlet, whether it’s university or medical school. , there is someone who doesn’t talk about politics and only talks about science.’”
McGraw also urges people not to listen to athletes or celebrities – myself included.
“I’m not an infectious disease specialist. I encourage people to get vaccinated because I think it’s a selfless job,” he says. “The only reason people listen to me is because I send them to scientists, and if what I say doesn’t stand the test of science, throw it out.”
For those who “don’t think the science is complete or supported,” McGraw says he understands.
“Make up your mind, I get it. But don’t make up your mind because of politics. Look at the science, that’s all I’m saying. And if you still say, ‘Wow this is inconsistent and I’m not satisfied,’ then OK, I respect that. But look at the science.”
