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The internet can come up with some useful resources when people put their knowledge together. Right now, a thread started by writer Caroline Moss has Twitter users passing on some of the most memorable pieces of advice they’ve learned from their therapists.

The advice is jokingly being called “free therapy” for those who can’t afford to get to a therapist right now, as people share advice about conducting healthier interpersonal relationships, noticing and challenging your own negative thought processes, and figuring out how to approach overwhelming challenges.

Scroll down for some great advice that you'll want to apply in your own life and share with your friends as well.

Image credits: CarolineMoss

#1

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this one should be directed towards those who criticize your complaining or tiredness "because others have it worse". Since I know myself, whenever I feel really sad or stressed, the thought that someone else has it worse makes me feel even worse myself because it combines the feeling that the world is poop with feelings of self-guilt and that's the opposite of motivation for me. On the contrary, seeing someone else having it better would feel like a spark of hope, like "at least there is some happiness out there".

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#2

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a negative self talker but I am always careful what I say in front of my kids.

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There are numerous reasons why people who would like to visit a therapist don’t have the opportunity to do so. Cost often makes therapy inaccessible, as well as heavy work schedules or long waiting lists.

It can also be difficult as an individual to find the “right” therapist. While you shouldn’t settle for a therapist who you don’t get along with or don’t feel suits your needs, frustratingly, canceling your next appointment because it isn’t working out for you can take you back to square one.

#4

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Dinetk
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And: feelings guilty only county for action you could have done differently then, not for what you would liked to do differently thinking about it now

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#5

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Vivek Mhatre
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw something similar "Honesty is still the best policy, with a little bit of common sense"

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Therapy is also not a condemnation or only an emergency resort for someone already in crisis.

Dr. Ryan Howes at Psychology Today says that giving yourself time to talk about your concerns, what you’re feeling, and what you would like to practice is kind of like going to the gym: an opportunity to maintain your health and achieve your potential.

#7

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Daria Z
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, that's the source of my depression. I wish I knew how to do it (or should I say 'not to do it'?)

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A study carried out in the US by the American Psychological Association in 2018 found that among millennials and Gen Z, more than a third of respondents have visited a therapist or mental health professional.

Psychologists see this increasing openness around mental health issues as a positive, since it provides opportunities to discuss their causes and manage them.

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The even better news is that you don’t have to wait to go to a therapist in order to have those conversations with yourself and the people around you.

#10

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Olga K
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, but it can work as a self-programming mechanism, and when something bad happens as a result of it people may think: "That's what I expected in the first place, so I have to believe my anxiety the next time", and - bam! - you're in a vicious circle.

Renee Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a part of me that believes that if I worry about it, it won't happen, because that's what usually happens. I don't know why I think things will be worse if I don't anticipate them first.

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Bobby's Girl
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I imagine the worst all the time - that way I'm never disappointed.

Felicia Dale
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. That's a broad brush for a very complex situation. If I weren't as aware as I am we'd have an infestation of yellow jackets in our house, had broken down by the road a LOT of times, eaten bad or wrong food, taken wrong turns, been friends with the wrong people, etc. Anxiety is not always about PTSD, habit, or mental imbalance. Sometimes it's a real response to a real situation.

Alex Bailey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it's accepting that anxiety doesn't mean it WILL happen. Just that you fear it will. Nothing more, nothing less. Anxiety doesn't make you prepare. Common sense that lurks underneath the anxiety makes you prepare. Over-preparation, being a different thing altogether, is the result of anxiety. If your favourite food is baked beans then you make sure you have supplies of baked beans, that's just sensible. Having a cellar full of baked beans would be an overkill and driven by anxiety. The examples you give are all about common sense. If you feel anxious at the same time that's unfortunate but can be helped.

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#12

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Rafaella Bueno
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if it's possible, maybe try to talk to that person first, and explain what you feel about their responses. As someone who's been on both sides frequently, people are often unsure how to respond to someone who is unloading a lot into them. They might be capable of engaging deeply, and be willing to do so, but aren't sure if that's what you want, or if you just want to vent and/or hear whatever will make you feel momentarily better.

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#13

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Alex Bailey
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it's not dependant on the ones who cause it but I'd still like the bastards to know! Mainly so that they won't do it again.

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#14

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, this one sounds... Kinda fun! It's creative, it pushes you to make a story with an alternative ending. I like this one.

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Olga K
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, I LOVE this one! I know several people who always use excuses and never ever apologize

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#17

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Kirsten Kerkhof
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And find YOUR happy. I consider myself a happy person (thankfully), but I'm an introverted silent happy. That's cool too.

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#18

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll be honest, this one scares me. Sometimes I doubt myself that maybe I am the incapable one. And then I have to remind myself of all the good things I'm doing and if there is anything I can do concretely to improve.

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#19

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Spikey Bunny
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a super difficult thing to sometimes, but very beneficial in the end. I had to do this a few months ago... It hurts, I miss her, but don't miss having my feelings thrown back at me or used as weapons.

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#20

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Rick Kilonzo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but what if you want them to experience happiness for a moment of their life atleast?

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#21

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Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just cos the trains are running late, does not mean you f*cked up.

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#24

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Juririn
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No therapy needed to see this when it isn't too close to home; not giving in ... another story....

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#25

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Olga K
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And later this really helps to be a good parent to your kids))

#26

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Rafaella Bueno
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I did that I'd feel conceited. My low self esteem is there to tell me I should be glad I'm even been acknowledged as a fellow human being at all.

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#28

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Pittsburgh rare
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

PMS and PMDD are a real condition, and it's about time people took them seriously and support women who suffer them instead of shaming them for not navigating it smoothly.

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#29

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Daria B
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or we do see it, but somehow it makes us feel guilty for no real reason. This is when you need to focus and explore your guilt. Ask yourself questions. If you can't answer, do an internet search. It's a method to distract you from pain but without ignoring it, a distraction that will permit you to tackle it out by researching about it. Knowledge really is power.

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#30

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Daria B
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with this one. While fear and shame can be the cause of anger indeed, that's not always the case. For me, anger happens when I really care about something, and that something has been wronged. It can be a person, a plan, work/project, manners/behaviour, general injustice etc. For example, I felt pretty angry when a friend of mine was treated kinda badly.

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#31

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s a saying that I try to remember when I don’t see my friends that often and it certainly takes some of the guilt away. Good friends are like stars, you may not always see them but you know they are always there. It is so true, I only have 2 friends and that is enough for me. I choose quality over quantity.

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Dynein
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truly I found sleep to be an immensely important factor of my mental health. I'll probably always struggle with anxiety and depression (have done so for over decade) but regular sleep makes the difference between feeling down and breaking down. One of the few things where my boyfriend can actually make a difference (by nagging me to stick to a regular cycle).

#38

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Dynein
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was kinda aware of that method but usually only manage to abide by it when I'm feeling pretty good anyway...

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Julia Sandoval
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we're visiting with family and everyone starts getting drunk and loud.....

#51

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Alexis DeBruyn
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so used to people using the royal "we" (meaning, "did you do x" while implying it's my action) that this would seem to be rubbing it in. It'd just make me angrier

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Julia Sandoval
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I need the next part - what do you do about it once you understand this?

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Kitty Sprinkhuizen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you cant do something for 100% do it for the amount you can. It might seem silly but when going for a 30 minute walk is just way to much, standing in the garden, on the porch or something like that for just five minutes just getting some fersh air... Not 100% but maybe 5 %. Same goes for hygiene: If a shower is to much and brushing your teeth costs really more energy you have... wash your face and rince your mouth with mouthwash. Not 100% but maybe 5%> Its not good but it will do until you can do 100% again. And it is way better then 0%

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