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Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#81
This is a great question, unfortunately, there is no yearly physical where they cover the mental health aspects when it's fundamentally the most important thing. It's sad, as a society with no strong connections we are left to our own devices, when it comes to this. I remember, at one time, your friends or family would immediately notice if something was off. It was as simple as that. I believe we've lost that simple connection, to look deeply at someone.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#83
post #17

Disappointed to see that "See a doctor or mental health professional" has not yet been mentioned. So I'll recommend that. My anxiety had started manifesting physically as panic attacks. After verifying my situation wasn't an emergency, he said my diagnosis was a no-brainer and prescribed Sertraline. It's helped a lot, and I've had no ill side-effects. Please, please see a doctor or mental health professional if you s…

Did you drink coffee?

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see a therapist in the same way that I see a dentist – even if there's no immediate crisis, preventative care is generally much easier than waiting until there is some sort of major issue. If we have someone check our teeth and gums a couple times a year just to clean out the gunk and make sure everything is ok, why wouldn't we do the same for our (arguably) most important organ?

I'm not sure if it really makes sense to see a nephrologist every 6 months to clean the gunk out of your kidneys, but I may be mistaken. That's what you meant, right? The most important organ, the kidney?

Hahaha

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#85
There is no way to give a good answer to this question. Depends on the person. For some people therapist works very well for others it might be Buddhism/Stoicism philosophy. There are people that need to have faith in something or maybe just take psychedelics/drugs from time to time. Exercise make wonders for some people.

For me, introspection worked very well. I think people are rushing to try the solution for their mental problems without first understanding themselves.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Every mental health professional I have seen has suggested some sort of medication. And when I say suggested I mean pushed. It's like dude, how many times do I have to tell you NO.

Psychiatrists usually do, but I've never had an actual Ph.D. Psychologist do. They're usually all for cogantive/talk therapy/stress release techniques, etc. (At least in my and my family/friends experiences). Are you dealing instead with maybe mental health professionals without advanced degrees?

> I've never had an actual Ph.D. Psychologist [prescribe drugs]

That may be because they aren't allowed to.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#87
My girlfriend had major depression I never thought would be solved.

She wound up going to a cash-based psychiatrist, and they met every week. He was basically available for any appointment time as he was cash-based.

She churned through 8 medicines across 8 weeks before finding the right one. I was shocked. That was years ago.

Weirdly enough, it was almost like devops. Constantly redeploying through the pipeline. Hate saying that, but it did remind me of it.

Hope this one story helps someone.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your mental health?

#89
- Meditation apps to bring me down after a long day (5-10min)

- Regular exercise 6x a week

- Eating healthier so I don't feel heavy and tired (less carbs, fats, factory sugars)

- Spending time outside in nature

- More time with friends/family

- Writing everyday 3 lines to reflect on my day

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