sick vs really sick

siri hustvedt - a plea for eros

"[a group of anglican clergymen] wanted to know how to distinguish between an ill person who needed psychiatric help and a person who could be helped by their counseling. [the enlish pediatric and psychoanalyst d.w.] dr. winnicott didn't answer immoderately, but after some thought, he said: 'if a person comes and talks to you and, listening to him, you feel he is boring to you, then he is sick, and needs psychiatric treatment. but if he sustains your interest, no matter how grave his distress or conflict, then you can help him alright."