The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 7: Oct. 2022 - Apr. 2023

[TLLK]

I did not see this so called “therapy session” but in the US, at least, a psychiatrist, Ph.D psychologist, or some master’s level therapists are trained and licensed to diagnose mental health. This didn’t sound like a normal intake to me which would have included a whole lot of questions to Harry. ADHD takes many things into consideration: usually rating scales and consultation with others close to the person. For children, parents and teachers generally fill out a rating sheet. In my career as a school counselor, I scored and faxed so many of these to physicians at parents’ request. I always asked the teacher to write a narrative as well to give the doctor the best picture of what we saw at school. And many times we saw few or no symptoms at school but the parents did at home.

This is from CHADD, a well respected organization and clearinghouse for ADHD information :

Although there is no single medical, physical, or genetic test for ADHD, a diagnostic evaluation can be provided by a qualified mental health care professional or physician who gathers information from multiple sources. These sources include ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales, a detailed history of past and current functioning, and information obtained from family members or significant others who know the person well. Some practitioners will also conduct tests of cognitive ability and academic achievement in order to rule out a possible learning disability. ADHD cannot be diagnosed accurately just from brief office observations or simply by talking to the person. The person may not always exhibit the symptoms of ADHD during the office visit, and the diagnostician needs to take a thorough history of the individual’s life. A diagnosis of ADHD must include consideration of the possible presence of co-occurring conditions.

Clinical guidelines for a diagnosis of ADHD are provided by the American Psychiatric Association in the diagnostic manual Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These established guidelines are widely used in research and clinical practice. During an evaluation, the clinician will try to determine the extent to which these symptoms currently apply to the adult and if they have been present in childhood. In making the diagnosis, adults should have at least five of the symptoms present. These symptoms can change over time, so adults may fit different presentations from when they were children.


For more information: https://chadd.org/for-adults/diagnosis-of-adhd-in-adults/

Thank you for stating this because like you I have filled out more than one rating sheet for a student's physician/therapist.



Is it possible that Harry completed one prior to the visit? Or did he have records from his school years indicating issue and concerns with attention, impulsive behavior etc..?

 

[TLLK]

IMHO Maté is a controversial figure (at best) here in Canada. To participate in a publicity stunt for a book is highly unprofessional.

Personally I've never had any use for him since I read an article by him a number of years ago claiming that ALL psychiatric disorders have their roots in childhood trauma and parenting. He doesn't acknowledge that many disorders are caused by biological/neurological factors which is the current thinking among most professionals. I've heard him described as a "flat earther" for this reason. IMHO he should never been given any award.

IMHO he's the worst 'therapist' Harry could have engaged. Harry always blames his family for all of his issues and unhappiness. He seems 'stuck' blaming them for everything. Maté will only reinforce that idea.

Thank you for sharing this opinion. Considering that Mate has books published by the same company and his views "bolster" Prince Harry's claims, I'm not surprised that the two were paired for this latest event to promote Spare.

 

[Queen Claude]

Sorry if this is a little OT but ADHD diagnosis can only be made after a thorough diagnostic process, certainly not in a single session.
I know this very well, having a person affected by it in my family.

What can be probably done in a single session is evaluating if there are the conditions that can justify an investigation.

To be clear I am not stating that multiple sessions are not needed for many cases and I completely agree that a thorough diagnostic process is required, however in some instances that can be achieved in a single session.

To be sure there are patients that have more subtle symptoms, and in the case of a child, the investigation should include things like evaluation of school records and discussions with / statements from educators and therefore will go beyond a single session. A further consideration is that the treatment for certain conditions are controlled substances, and extra care is required for that course of treatment which may not be the outcome of an initial / single session, but that comes under the header of treatment plan not diagnosis.

 

[Alison H]

The impression given has always been that Harry enjoyed his time in the military, was desperate to be sent on active service and very disappointed not to be sent to Iraq, and was devastated when his time in Afghanistan had to be cut short because of leaks in the press. No-one *made* him go into the Army: it was a path which he chose and enjoyed.

A lot of people have served in the Armed Forces. Until what Harry said yesterday, I'd never once heard any of them refer to recruiting people from broken homes.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

Thank you for stating this because like you I have filled out more than one rating sheet for a student's physician/therapist.



Is it possible that Harry completed one prior to the visit? Or did he have records from his school years indicating issue and concerns with attention, impulsive behavior etc..?

Who knows? I would certainly hope so! But since this was televised it would be professional and ethical to share appropriate information to the public - even including a “for more information, contact….” On the screen.

But honestly, I’ve had a lot of non mental health professionals claim to me that someone else has ADHD over the years…. and tell me that someone needed meds.

I could go on but I won’t because this is OT

 

[Magnolia471]

The only positive difference between Harry and Meghan: it's that at least he recognizes that he has a problem and turns to specialists (even if it's all done for the purpose of personal profit). Meghan never questions herself, she just points her finger at the others and sends Harry to say in every interview he released that she is "perfect". When Mariah Carey jokingly called her a "Diva," she reacted defensively rather than overplaying it. In my opinion, Harry came out with this public diagnosis only to divert all the accusations of narcissism towards Meghan.

 

[Magnolia471]

I come from a military family: my grandfather, my father, my uncle are all in the military. I've never heard of such a thing. Quite the opposite, the selections to enter the military academy are very strict and physical abilities and psychological conditions are taken into account. Personally, in my country people with certified attention deficit disorder get kicked out of the army, I don't know what the rules are in the british army.
I don't want to make accusations of any kind but it seems that Harry's 'career' in the army is just the result of nepotism. A person with psychological problems and addictions should NEVER be authorized to pilot an aircraft or be sent to war zones

 

[Clematis]

You are correct - see my post upthread (1090) about diagnosing ADHD.

Oh, thanks! I had missed it before writing my reply ?

 

[Ista]

A couple of posts that discussed Mate, his approach to mental health diagnoses, and theories relating to them have been removed since they strayed too far from the topic of the thread. This is the kind of discussion that would be better suited for the PM function if members wished to continue it.

 

[duchessrachel]

I think if Andrew was smart he'll try to negotiate a deal for his daughters -- I'll move if you make my daughters working royals or something like that. Perhaps give Beatrice the Duchess of York title since, at this time, titles only pass through the male line and not the female line. JMHO

That would be the move that most savvy business people would make, but unfortunately Andrew only thinks of himself.

 

[soapstar]

The Sussexes had kept details of the correspondence private but confirmed receipt after a royal aide briefed Britain’s Times of London on Saturday that an invitation had been sent out.

According to Roya Nikkhah (the author of the Times article). She wasn’t briefed by a Royal aide.

For the record, this is incorrect. No royal aide briefed me that an invitation to the Coronation had been sent to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I asked a question. I got an answer.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1632460921812529153

 

[Alisa]

For the sake of Archie and Lillie I do hope the couple attends.

Opportunities for Archie and Lillie to meet their British royal relatives are few and far in between and will become more so as the grow and move into compulsory education.

I would love to see one photo of King Charles surrounded by ALL his grand children.

 

[Asteria12]

The event already took place at 12 PM noon time and 5 PM GMTime. Here's the outcome from an article 2 hours ago.

Prince Harry Receives Mental Health Diagnosis During Controversial Public Therapy Session
By Michael Hein - Sat March 4, 2023 05:26 pm EST

Hope they made a lot of money for this Random House stunt. In my opinion, this was not professional and exploiting Harry's mental health issues for a fee, like in a circus, is just a grotesque violation of medical confidentiality.

I'm now wondering if this stunt from Random House was part of the mandatory conditions for Harry to meet. If so, I'm starting to question his ability to make rational decisions is causing other people to manipulate him even more. And that is my free Fake-agnosis. This afternoon I thought it was a serious event and now I see the fine print was to exploit Harry...

Thanks for this post Toledo, I think you are correct. This was a Random House event to push further sales of the book, with a hope of getting some sales for their other Author too on the back of their VIP Royal. Harry may have been contractually obliged to do it, but he didn't appear reluctant in any way to participate, so I'd suggest he was happy to have another opportunity to push his agenda along.

 

[Mbruno]

For the sake of Archie and Lillie I do hope the couple attends.

Opportunities for Archie and Lillie to meet their British royal relatives are few and far in between and will become more so as the grow and move into compulsory education.

I would love to see one photo of King Charles surrounded by ALL his grand children.

Even if the kids travel with Harry and Meghan to the UK, Archie and Lilibet definitely will not attend the coronation service, so I think a photo of the grandchildren with the King in coronation robes and wearing the crown is unlikely.

I don't know, on the other hand, if the King would be interested in taking a more casual photo with his grandchilden in "normal" attire at Windsor or somewhere else. Personally I don't think he would.

 

[SirGyamfi1]

For the sake of Archie and Lillie I do hope the couple attends.

Opportunities for Archie and Lillie to meet their British royal relatives are few and far in between and will become more so as the grow and move into compulsory education.

I would love to see one photo of King Charles surrounded by ALL his grand children.

That would be nice and so great, but someone needs to behave themselves and stop being immature and peddling silly stories for that to happen. Charles can’t see his grandchildren when the parents of those grandchildren aren’t playing nice.

 

[Asteria12]

For the sake of Archie and Lillie I do hope the couple attends.

Opportunities for Archie and Lillie to meet their British royal relatives are few and far in between and will become more so as the grow and move into compulsory education.

I would love to see one photo of King Charles surrounded by ALL his grand children.

It would be lovely, but I don't think his America-based grandkids will be allowed that opportunity while their parents continue their current course. Its a shame, really, as there will naturally come a time when they will no longer have grandparents. I do hope that some sort of connection between the generations occurs before its too late.

 

[Curryong]

Archie and Lily do have a grandparent they see regularly. That is Doria, Meghan’s mother. Camilla is not grandma to Charles’s grandchildren. And if Charles wished desperately to see his son’s children then taking their parents’ one residence in the UK away (perhaps in order to give it to their disgraced uncle) was hardly imo a warm and loving gesture.

 

[Asteria12]

The children have 3 other living grandparents who would form a loving and caring connection with them if given the opportunity. And one doesn't need to be a blood relative to love members of your family, particularly children. You surely cannot believe that not having Frogmore Cottage to stay in is a serious impediment to allowing this to happen?

 

[Curryong]

Frogmore Cottage was a practical scenario as a home to live in while in the UK. It was taken away in a way that was not particularly kind. And would hardly incline the children’s parents to really look forward to returning to the UK.

Diana was Harry’s mother and therefore the children’s grandmother. William has stated several times that he has taught his children about his mother, and that she was their grandmother. I’m sure Harry has done and is doing the same.

And sorry, my opinion of Thomas Markle does not lead me to regard him as any sort of possible loving grandfather to Archie and Lilly. It was only last year that he was threatening to take action against Meghan and Harry in the Californian courts. He still is willing to act as a witness for his daughter Samantha in her latest court case against Meghan. Hardly the act of a loving grandparent.

 

[US Royal Watcher]

Even if the kids travel with Harry and Meghan to the UK, Archie and Lilibet definitely will not attend the coronation service, so I think a photo of the grandchildren with the King in coronation robes and wearing the crown is unlikely.

I don't know, on the other hand, if the King would be interested in taking a more casual photo with his grandchilden in "normal" attire at Windsor or somewhere else. Personally I don't think he would.

Interesting, I feel the opposite. I can't imagine a picture of the grandchildren with Charles wearing a crown. I assume he will wear the crown on the balcony but I think crowns are very uncomfortable. I absolutely can see that Charles would want a regular picture with all his grandchildren. It may not be made public but it would be great for the family.

Frogmore Cottage was a practical scenario as a home to live in while in the UK. It was taken away in a way that was not particularly kind. And would hardly incline the children’s parents to really look forward to returning to the UK

I guess we don't know the truth but I have been reading that Harry and Meghan are not upset about losing Frogmore and they will have use of a Buckingham apartment. We've been hearing that Charles wants to reduce the cost of the monarchy, so moving Andrew to smaller quarters and doing something else with the Royal Lodge makes sense. Regardless, Frogmore will be available to them Sussex family during the coronation, if they choose to come.

 

[Asteria12]

Frogmore Cottage was a practical scenario as a home to live in while in the UK. It was taken away in a way that was not particularly kind. And would hardly incline the children’s parents to really look forward to returning to the UK.


And sorry, my opinion of Thomas Markle does not lead me to regard him as any sort of possible loving grandfather to Archie and Lilly. It was only last year that he was threatening to take action against Meghan and Harry in the Californian courts. He still is willing to act as a witness for his daughter Samantha in her latest court case against Meghan. Hardly the act of a loving grandparent.

From what I'm reading, most people seem to agree that the most practical solution to a perfectly sound house sitting unused is to have the lease ended so that it can be offered to someone else (be it Andrew or another person). Whether it was "taken away unkindly" is purely opinion, not based on any facts because none of us here are privvy to factual information on the matter. And at least one source of M&H's has openly stated that they are not overly upset over it.

 

[Alisa]

I am somewhat on the fence about Frogmore being taken away.

I feel it was the couple's personal home. The place they felt most comfortable and most safe. It was their UK base.
If ever they were to come back to the UK it should be at a place where they felt most comfortable- Frogmore.

The coronation is a big deal- a significant moment in history. I do hope the couple decides on attending and bringing their children.

Tyler Perry was spotted headed for the couple's Montecito home. Perhaps he talked some sense into them!

 

[Asteria12]

Luckily, the tabloids are now informing us that Charles has supposedly relented to let the poor couple stay at their former home if they should come to the coronation! Its truly remarkable how well-informed the tabloids are.

 

[TLLK]

The children have 3 other living grandparents who would form a loving and caring connection with them if given the opportunity. And one doesn't need to be a blood relative to love members of your family, particularly children. You surely cannot believe that not having Frogmore Cottage to stay in is a serious impediment to allowing this to happen?

I have to agree that you don't have to be a blood relative to form a loving relationship with a child. Prince Harry had maternal step-grandparents who were a part of his life in addition to his blood relatives. It's fairly common in the 20th and 21st century to have these sorts of blended families.


While William and Harry will be sharing about their late mother with their own children, the fact remains that Camilla is a part of their extended family.

I sincerely hope that in the future that Harry and Meghan will give their children an opportunity to become familiar with their Windsor family members.



As for Frogmore Cottage, the couple have indicated that they are not upset by the decision to end their lease and the request to leave the property. They'll have use of it in early May if they wish to stay there during the coronation weekend. In the future it appears that there will be a safe residence for them to stay in for future visits.

 

[yukari]

Prince Harry reveals psychedelics are 'fundamental' part of his life in candid interview with trauma expert Gabor Maté

(...)

The Duke of Sussex opened up about his use of hallucinogens on Saturday during a candid online chat with trauma expert Gabor Maté.

“It was the cleaning of the windscreen, the removal of life’s filters — these layers of filters,” the 38-year-old said.

“It removed it all for me and brought me a sense of relaxation, relief, comfort, a lightness that I managed to hold back for a period of time.”

The California-based royal told the Hungarian-Canadian addiction expert he started using psychedelics “recreationally” but increased his usage when he realised the sense of “relief” it gave him.

“I started doing it recreationally and then started to realise how good it was for me,” Harry said.

“I would say it is one of the fundamental parts of my life that changed me and helped me deal with the traumas and the pains of the past.”

“They’re unlocking so much of what we’ve suppressed.”

(...)

Is it just me or does it (almost) sounds like addiction? I have a colleague who's a chain smoker and his go-to-excuse is that smoking help him dealing with stress, at one point he could finish a pack of cigarettes a day (honestly I'm not surprised when I heard that he starts coughing blood and his examination shows blackened lung). Similar excuse was used by ex-husband of a distant relative who''s an alcoholic; that alcohol helped him "clear his mind".

Hopefully Harry has stopped abusing those drugs and found other (better and safer) solution to deal with his mental health problem, for his children's sake. After all, stories about drug-addict famous figures mostly don't end well.

As much as the general public and royal watches argue about the Sussex's - I have been witness to therapist, clinic psychologists and psychologists argue about them, and it is not pretty. While you have therapists that see him as the second coming. Others and they are the majority believe he is harming the entire practice.
People is not helping people to seek help - he is showing that therapy can be used as a way to push blame to others and not really move to healing. And I will not even say what they feel about his use of cannabis and possible other drugs as well. I have been pointing blank told that Harry is a threat to the mental health projects of the US and the NHS. He knows nothing and acts like an expert.

In above article, Gabor Maté is presented as trauma expert and also addiction expert, and since it isn't mentioned in the article, I wonder what is his reaction over Harry's drug story, whether he discouraged or encouraged it. If it's the latter, the way it's progressing now, we may have BRF's version of ML-Verret soon.

(Although if anyone dare to point it out, I bet Harry (and his supporters) will argue that he never said/acted as an expert or promoting drug abuse to tackle mental health problem.It's British press twisting his words).

 

[RandyDrx]

Archie and Lily do have a grandparent they see regularly. That is Doria, Meghan’s mother. Camilla is not grandma to Charles’s grandchildren. And if Charles wished desperately to see his son’s children then taking their parents’ one residence in the UK away (perhaps in order to give it to their disgraced uncle) was hardly imo a warm and loving gesture.

If H&M stopped attacking the BRF maybe they would still have FC.

Also, comparing Camilla to a "wicked stepmother" isn't a warm and loving gesture either.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Frogmore Cottage was not "taken away", it was never theirs, to begin with. Unlike Royal Lodge, with a 75-year (!) lease to the Duke of York, Frogmore Cottage has an annual lease. Every year, a couple of months before the end of the lease, the lessees have to inform the lessor (the Crown Eatate) about continuation of their lease.

According some media the Duke and Duchess of Sussex themselves have not informed the Crown Estate to extend the lease of Frogmore Cottage. Now they act as struck by lighting, but it is quite plausible this is another example of their very selective memory and non-understanding that actions (or not acting, like in this case) can have consequences indeed.

Royal Lodge has a 75-years lease. As long as the Duke of York pays his lease and does the agreed maintenance, the Crown Estate will have the greatest difficulty to move Prince Andrew out. Frogmore Cottage however has a lease for a fixed period. This includes a final date. The lease will end automatically on the final date specified in the contract. The Crown Eatate must confirm this in writing at least 1 month – but no more than 3 months – before the lease ends. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can also terminate their lease before the final date of let it end by not extending the lease.

That whole lease construction, with quite short-term lease periods, make that the situation of Frogmore Cottage is totally different from Royal Lodge, with a lease long beyond the life expectancy of the Duke of York and therefore with the justified expecation of Prince Andrew living in it until his last breath.

 

[Curryong]

With reference to the discussion between Harry and Dr Gabor Mate on the use of psychedelic drugs my country Australia has only recently announced that they will be allowed to be used by psychiatrists to treat certain patients, as after many trials they have been found to be effective in some circumstances.

https://www.timeout.com/sydney/news...magic-mushrooms-for-medical-use-020623-020623

Australia is the first country to allow MDMA and magic mushrooms for medical use
The move has been praised by those in the health and medical industry
Leah Glynn
Written by Leah GlynnMonday 6 February 2023

Australia is the very first country in the world to officially recognise psychedelics as legitimate medicines. Following a landmark announcement by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) late last week, psychiatrists with specialised expertise will soon be able to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin (AKA magic mushrooms) to patients with specific treatment-resistant mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.’ End quote.

Australia has a very conservative medical community so this wouldn’t have been taken lightly. I believe if it helps those patients who need it then it should be used. Hopefully other countries like Canada, the US, the UK etc will follow suit.

 

[Mbruno]

With reference to the discussion between Harry and Dr Gabor Mate on the use of psychedelic drugs my country Australia has only recently announced that they will be allowed to be used by psychiatrists to treat certain patients, as after many trials they have been found to be effective in some circumstances.

https://www.timeout.com/sydney/news...magic-mushrooms-for-medical-use-020623-020623

Australia is the first country to allow MDMA and magic mushrooms for medical use
The move has been praised by those in the health and medical industry
Leah Glynn
Written by Leah GlynnMonday 6 February 2023

Australia is the very first country in the world to officially recognise psychedelics as legitimate medicines. Following a landmark announcement by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) late last week, psychiatrists with specialised expertise will soon be able to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin (AKA magic mushrooms) to patients with specific treatment-resistant mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.’ End quote.

Australia has a very conservative medical community so this wouldn’t have been taken lightly. I believe if it helps those patients who need it then it should be used. Hopefully other countries like Canada, the US, the UK etc will follow suit.

Ironically MDMA was originally developed by Merck as an intended therapeutic drug. The "street" versions of MDMA, however, are mixed with all kinds of different substances (including other drugs).

On the other hand, Harry does not seem to be using psychedelic drugs therapeutically and under medical supervision. He seems to use (abuse?) them recreationally, which qualifies in the best case scenario as "self-medication", which should not be encouraged.

Many people use recreational drugs as teenagers/young adults, but then many (most?) outgrow the habit. Harry is not a teenager anymore and I wonder if his extended family is not concerned with these revelations. I can't imagine his drug habits are good to his marriage either.

Finally, on a non-medical issue, it may be a security concern for the British Crown. Adversarial foreign intelligence agencies are unfortunately known to target assets who have a drug or alcohol habit.

 

[yukari]

I believe there's difference between consuming certain (legal) drug for medical use (with prescription) and for recreational purpose (as Harry himself confessed it). Sleeping pills are legal, but I read more than one story about celebrities found dead due to abusing it.

Who know if there's confused teenager read/heard what Harry said (that those kind of drug "help" him) then they follow it on their own without visiting doctor. Sadly, the current trend right now is that more people believe "internet doctors" than real doctors. Did Harry or Mate emphasis to use of those drug only with prescription?