With such common occurrences of mental illness, depression and anxiety disorders in the startup community, do founders (and non-founders) regularly seek psychological therapy to better handle stress?
Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
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Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#2Yes. To talk about startup anxiety, but also balancing everything else in life. I think the desire to problem solve also extends to life issues, and sometimes this gets unhealthy if it all stays in my head.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#3I'm not a founder or co-founder, but I started to see a therapist or counselor about 2 years ago. My level of stress was mounting and I was falling into depression. I had just gone through some pretty big transitions, but I realized it was too much for me to handle on my own. After going to counseling regularly, I started to feel like I really regained control over my emotions and decisions. I could organize my time much better, and, although not necessarily "Mr. Peppy!", I got back much of my spunk and personality that had started to slip away.
If anyone is thinking about it, I highly recommend it; if you think you need it, it probably won't hurt. And don't be discouraged if the first counselor doesn't fit; it took a few before I found one that was comfortable to talk to and that could challenge me to actually make progress in myself.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#4I dont see one, and I feel like I am the only one who doesn't. I had to work hard to modulate depression and aggression. I have a lot of hobbies, but I actually - and of course looking at my user name you can probably guess, that I actually used to burn off a lot of steam trolling website forums.
I feel like if I go a therapist and start expressing anything dark and open a flood gate, I'll become a whiney ninny who cant lead the pack.
So camping solo in the wastelands will have to do.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#5We went to a therapist [Licensed Clinical Social Worker] for marriage counseling at two different times in our 18 years of wedded bliss. These are decisions I have never regretted.
For context my spouse is a therapist - hospice, oncology, Alzheimer's and geriatrics over the past twenty odd years - so I am perhaps biased.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#6I have, yes. Problem is, therapy isn't much more effective than placebo these days. Psychoanalysis has largely been shown to not work... There are things you can do, however. Gratitude is probably the single highest expected value activity you can do for your mental health. Also, developing a practice to fully feel and process / access emotions. Happy to share more and talk if you need.. anthony @ 175g . com
PS - I also work as a coach with high performers and have helped a number of folks on Hacker News for free who have reached out, and happy to do the same for you or anyone else.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#7BTW, if anyone cannot afford a therapist and just needs to talk to someone, check out:
blahtherapy.com
Because sometimes you just need to get things off of your chest.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#8Yes. To talk about startup anxiety, but also balancing everything else in life. I think the desire to problem solve also extends to life issues, and sometimes this gets unhealthy if it all stays in my head.
That's really well put. The desire to constantly problem solve doesn't let you relax and clear your mind at times. I saw one recently but found the advice lacking, felt like a waste of time and money.
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#9I have, yes. Problem is, therapy isn't much more effective than placebo these days. Psychoanalysis has largely been shown to not work... There are things you can do, however. Gratitude is probably the single highest expected value activity you can do for your mental health. Also, developing a practice to fully feel and process / access emotions. Happy to share more and talk if you need.. anthony @ 175g . com PS - I a…
I'm sure a lot of us would like to read a blog post or article if you are willing to write one, doesn't have to be about your personal experiences but I'd really like to read a HN-esque article on mental health
Re: Ask HN: Do you see a therapist?
#10I have, yes. Problem is, therapy isn't much more effective than placebo these days. Psychoanalysis has largely been shown to not work... There are things you can do, however. Gratitude is probably the single highest expected value activity you can do for your mental health. Also, developing a practice to fully feel and process / access emotions. Happy to share more and talk if you need.. anthony @ 175g . com PS - I a…
I'd strongly disagree with your statement that psychoanalysis doesn't work, just from personal experience. In the aggregate it may not work for everyone (and there's the minor issue that saying "psychoanalysis" is a bit like saying "programming" - there are a lot of schools of therapy and a wide range of abilities within those schools), but it's certainly helped me a great deal.