Dr. Phil Show Season 16 Episode 7 Self-Help Author Can't Help Himself: Locked in a Room With Baseball Bats, Afraid of Violent Sons
- September 18, 2018
Self-Help Author Can't Help Himself: Locked in a Room With Baseball Bats, Afraid of Violent Sons is the seventh episode of season 16 of the Dr. Phil Show. The episode follows a self-help author who is struggling with his own personal demons. The author, who has written several best-selling books on how to overcome fear and anxiety, reveals that he is currently locked in a room with baseball bats because he is afraid of his own sons.
The tension is palpable as the author explains his fears to Dr. Phil. He admits that he has always struggled with anxiety, but his fears have escalated in recent years as his sons have become more violent. He describes incidents where his sons have thrown objects at him and threatened him with physical harm. The author is at a loss as to how to handle the situation and feels trapped.
Dr. Phil probes deeper into the author's background, uncovering a history of trauma and abuse. The author reveals that he was physically and emotionally abused by his own father as a child, and that he has carried those scars with him into adulthood. He also admits that he has struggled with alcohol addiction and has been sober for several years.
The episode takes a turn when the author's sons are brought onto the stage to confront their father. The tension between them is palpable as they recount their own versions of events. The sons claim that their father has always been emotionally distant and that they have felt neglected and unloved. They accuse him of being controlling and rigid, and of using his self-help books as a way to avoid dealing with his own problems.
Dr. Phil attempts to mediate the conversation, encouraging all parties to listen and empathize with one another. He guides the author through a series of exercises designed to help him overcome his fear and anxiety, and encourages the sons to express their feelings in a constructive and respectful manner.
As the episode draws to a close, it becomes clear that the author has a long road ahead of him. He acknowledges that he needs to take a step back from his writing and focus on his own mental health. He also expresses a desire to repair his relationship with his sons and to regain their trust.
Self-Help Author Can't Help Himself: Locked in a Room With Baseball Bats, Afraid of Violent Sons is a powerful episode that explores the complexities of family dynamics, trauma, and mental illness. Dr. Phil's skillful navigation of the conversation highlights the importance of communication and empathy in resolving difficult situations.