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Isn't it awesome that we live in an age when going to therapy isn't as frowned upon as it was, for example, for Tony Soprano?

I'll go out on a limb and say that the internet culture has contributed to mental health awareness too.

There are countless online discussions where people not only share their struggles but also relate to each other, letting the other person know that their feelings are valid and offering suggestions on what they could do to make everything a little easier to bear.

And let's not forget the ultimate tool used for social normalization—humor; laughing at yourself and with others can remedy even some of the biggest wounds.

'Therapy Memes Group' is a Facebook community that invites us to do just that. Let's try!

However, as the public perception of therapy changes, new challenges are arising. A 2022 study from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 6 in 10 psychologists "no longer have openings for new patients."

The shortage comes as demand for therapy soars: since the beginning of the pandemic, about three-quarters of practitioners have seen their waiting lists grow.

In the same period, almost 80% of practitioners reported an increase in patients with anxiety disorders and 66% have seen an increase in those needing treatment for depression.

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Edward Finger Hands
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you’d think having all 3 would cancel them out…instead I end up standing in my kitchen turning in circles like a broken sim

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“I started my private practice just before Covid hit, and it was certainly filling up then,” Dr. Jennifer Reid, a psychiatrist, writer, and podcast host in Philadelphia, told The Guardian. “But the numbers have exponentially risen since that time.”

Reid even stopped advertising her practice on sites like Psychology Today and other places where people can find therapists. There's simply no need now.

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Sky Render
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And with some ND conditions, you get so good at the game on hard mode that all the people on easy mode get jealous of your skills. Nevermind that you need those skills just to hit par!

Wondering Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From now on I will be using this game analogy. Up to now I have been telling kids that school for ND's is like they are training with a backpack full of rocks. It's exhausting and unfair, but when you find your place - you will be stronger. Just need to survive people saying your lazy or stop trying through choice - they are the ones who have things all wrong.

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nooneimportant
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true, my husband was undiagnosed for 11 years complete with medical gaslighting. Just because you can't see their pain and/or injury doesn't mean that it's not real!!!!!!! When someone says something is wrong BELIEVE them!!!!!!

Old Roadie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truly sorry your husband experienced such unprofessional behavior. Lost my Mom, sister, and dear friend to medical incompetence. Boggles my mind how those jetsam-level doctors keep their licenses.

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Virgil Blue
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just got my authism (ye olde asperger) and this was exactly how I experienced it.

censorshipsucks
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as an ASD I can put it this way: everyone seems super touchy and sensitive and prone to random temper tantrums and super illogical. It is SOOOOOO bizarre . Just chill jesus christ nothing is serious enough to lose your temper about. Every day I think I am living in a loony bin. It is such a relief to deal with other ASD people who just stay chilled and get on with the job, albeit talk too much.

Zuzanna2002 Czarnota
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plus it gives you the rights to tell people its a hard mode without getting attacked for it or them saying no its not

XanthippeⓐWulf🇨🇦 🇬🇧
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to sit and think on this a spell, but it really does track. I have an unofficial group of ND friends and we meet up from time to time. It's nice to be able to help each other with challenges, or to connect dots. Most of us were diagnosed early on, so we didn't suffer the developmental gaps that some do. Occasionally, someone new might pass through the group that may have been diagnosed much later in life, and it's it's pretty exciting to see them have those "light bulb" moments where they start to understand why people would maybe question or get frustrated with their responses (or lack thereof in my case) I like 👍

Avocado Toast
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Undiagnosed neurodivergence sound a whole lotta like people are just gaslighting you into thinking like you are bad at an easy video game

CatFist
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true. Having been diagnosed with HF Autism at 38, I likened my 2 (completely separate at different universities) unsuccessful attempts to finish Medicine as trying to run a marathon... and only realising after the second unsuccessful attempt that I only had one leg. You can complete a marathon with one leg (you can also become a doctor with HFA), but it helps to know that about yourself beforehand...

Tenacious Squirrel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is possibly an analogy for any undiagnosed condition that interferes with your life. Although depending on the diagnosis and further treatment options, strategising can be extremely limited (if you have a condition with zero treatment and zero recognition/support from the health system, strategising is very limited if you are very unwell).

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Feathered Dinosaur
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being an MD who worked as a psychiatrist and suffering from 3 of the above mentioned myself I can only say... it's true. No freaking other way that we know of, and it's frustrating the hell out of me.

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Schlay van Gay
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Removed "the chair" when remodeling my bedroom to avoid the pile of clothes. Let me introduce: "the floor".

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Reid focuses on anxiety and insomnia, which have been “major players” in the pandemic. According to her, people with anxiety, phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorder related to germs had particular trouble. Then there were the isolation and doomscrolling.

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Now, she noticed, people are struggling to re-enter the world. "People are finding they're having anxiety trying to re-engage in social settings in situations that were previously not as safe", she said. “Now they’re having to kind of retrain their brains.”

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Chihuahua Mama
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even great parents give you an awful lot of terrible gifts you just can't seem to get rid of

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Reid said people often may need to return to their primary care doctor for a period of time, “or they just end up going without and waiting on waitlists, unfortunately”.

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The APA study also found that the average psychologist reported being contacted by 15 potential patients every month.

Reid, who combines therapy and medical approaches, said she generally has space for about one new patient every few weeks.

To manage the growing demand, Reid works with a platform for Philadelphia therapists that allows them to see each other's availability. “We really feel a sense of responsibility to try and get patients some good options if we can, if we’re not able to see them,” she said.

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Seeking a therapist through word of mouth – asking friends or calling practitioners even if they’re fully booked – is a good first step. The increasing use of telehealth may also help, particularly under programs such as PsyPact, a legal framework that allows practitioners to work in multiple states. But remember that you can also simultaneously express yourself through memes!

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Jesse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

me sharing that one time i hit my head and my mother yelled at me for getting blood on the table instead of helping me be like

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Feathered Dinosaur
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But even in Poland you can't stop playing this out in your head over and over...

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Feathered Dinosaur
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As your brain is inside your head, yeah, everything related to it is 'only in your head'

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Artsy Bookworm
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Went on a wine tour yesterday and the guide explained how it's champagne only if it is from the town Champagne. It was destiny that made me open this post!

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fair_weather_rose
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But... but I made a list! See, it's a list with all the stuff I need/want to do today, and it's written in purple pen, which is my favorite pen to write in even though blue is my favorite color, but sometimes I tell people my favorite color is red or black, because those are the colors I wear the most, but I actually really like silver, but I don't think I have any silver clothes... wait, what was I talking about?

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Jill
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Umm...this sounds like me....hides in corner. Oh, I mean latibulate!

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Feathered Dinosaur
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah brain, you should really wait for my consent before putting your thoughts in my head!

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to be a lot more resigned about unacceptable things I can't change, but now I'm really f*****g angry.

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Dawn Marie
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use to be an extrovert. I taught public school for 25 years. Took early retirement to fight cancer. Now, I don't want to leave the house, don't want to deal with people. What happened to common kindness and goodness? Where went the days that you didn't think twice about helping your neighbor? Does it now cost to give of your time to your those less fortunate? Is family no longer the most important thing?

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Kali Chaos
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My fiance has a degree in psychology and he talks me through some things when I have anxiety attacks and whatnot. But it's irresponsible and very much not recommended to have a biased person treat you. It's not fair to either person.

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Sad Quokka
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, I've got this on one of my leaflets. I used to have medication for acne and it was such a severe medicine it said that one of the side effects 1/100000 people actually committed suicide. 1/100 people got depression. It was the closest I've ever been to depression and I always used to laugh it off. I've also had back pain ever since. Needless to say I wasn't on it for long

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Feathered Dinosaur
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

About how I felt when working as a psychiatrist. The work made me so sick I had to switch to another field

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Feathered Dinosaur
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's bullshît, you have to diagnose them first before you can decide on the right therapy

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