How does that make you feel? (A self therapy thread)

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I just did the same, dropping app by app over the month of February, keeping only TikTok for the purpose of posting videos and not doom scrolling.

It’s a very freeing feeling. I pick my phone up now, and I look at the home screen, and mind says to me “there is nothing to do here.”

And I sit it back down and go on with my day.

Of course I still come here, but now that I am not an a BST kick.anymore, this place is healthy and not very time consuming.

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63

This is exactly why I stopped watching the news years ago. Drama and Crisis sell. So that is all they show now. The juiciest spin on the thing, not the truth.

There is SO MUCH GOOD going on in the local community! But none of it gets attention. Anxiety and Fear sell. Heart Warming does not.

  • Capitalizing on Fear:

The idea behind “anxiety sells” is that by highlighting potential problems or dangers, businesses can increase sales by making people feel like they need a product or service to address those anxieties.

  • Examples in Marketing:

    • Media: News outlets and social media often focus on negative or alarming stories to generate engagement and clicks, as fear and anxiety can be highly compelling.
    • Advertising: Advertisements may use scare tactics or highlight potential problems to convince people that they need a specific product or service to protect themselves or their loved ones.
    • Political Campaigns: Politicians may use fear-mongering tactics to gain support by highlighting perceived threats or problems that their opponents will supposedly fail to address.

Ok. I will step off my soap box now.

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64

Back on the Soap Box.

Another issue I have with the news is the paid advertisements from the Pharmaceutical companies. There is no way they are going to do a “Investigation” on a Company paying them. I feel it is a get out of jail free card for them.

Sorry. Back to the topic.

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I started therapy this week to work on coping strategies for my anxiety. I don’t know if it’ll help but figured it can’t hurt to talk to someone.

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good for you dude, I hope your therapist helps you out, (I know mine has)

often just having the time spent working through stuff will help you evaluate the causes of strife, (but it takes time)

incidentally I really rate the self hindrance book - “how to be miserable”

it’s a bit of an eye opener (or was for me)

the accompanying cgp grey video gives a good flavour of the advice, but is only about 1/6th of the books advice, and less funny

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It’ll help for sure, like you said at least to talk to someone. It’s great to get outside perspective on your thoughts and all that.

I really really miss therapy and my therapist Paul, but it was not covered by my insurance and just got way too expensive over time unfortunately so I had to take a break.

I should give him a call sometime

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hope you are doing better after some therapy and/or lifestyle changes dude!?

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Life style changes have helped with my energy levels. I’ve upped my anxiety meds as I’ve been having a hard time regulating myself.

I did try therapy but at some point it felt like a chore and just another thing to do so I stopped for now. Probably just need to find a different person but insurance coverage is lacking for mental health and there honestly aren’t many options that aren’t very expensive.

All in all I’m fine. Stressed and over eating (to the capacity that my stomach has been shrunk) as a coping method which is not great but hey I could have worse habits.

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Brother, this is exact situation. I’ve been in a bit of a dark spot so I reached out to start up again, and we are gonna see if we can get insurance to cover some of this time, but I just really need to talk to a professional.

The cost out of pocket and then the drive after he moved office really did make it a chore, but I’m struggling out here, and idk if I have it in me to start over with a new therapist

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I just started with some new meds and a new therapist. I recently reached a pretty dark place, but things seem to be improving.

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Yeah I’m starting to wonder if quitting Zoloft could have waited til spring

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I was recently started on Lamictal with fantastic results (of course YMMV). It has really helped my anger management (or lack thereof) :rofl:

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just wanna pop in and say im a GREAT listener if anyone needs to get stuff out. I’ve mentioned it before in other context, but my academic background is in psychology so not a total rando with no clue if that makes a difference. i can also just listen and empathize without judgement or without offering advice if someone just needs a sounding board

let me be VERY clear that I’m not offering professional counseling. i do, however, think there’s huge value in speaking to someone with no personal connection so that there’s no fear of judgment and they aren’t part of your problem, hence therapists. but if you just need a homie to talk to, please feel free to dm me. i don’t think money should ever interfere with someone getting the medical or in this case emotional and mental help they need, even if they just need some support

stay healthy and safe yall!!

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@Splizacular nailed it, never underestimate the power of talking to an impartial 3rd party. I too have a background in psychology/medicine and am quite familiar with mental illness and addiction, and I’m always willing to be that impartial 3rd party for anyone. Again, not offering professional counseling, just an open set of ears with lots of experience. Stay healthy everyone, and remember, someone out there loves you, warts and all :victory_hand:

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