Hi kati I want to say and Express how your channel and video s ask kati anything has been helpful and the advice you share with everyone here I always check for new video s from you right now I just watch to listen and understand and your voice is very soft and calming I just want this Corona virus to stop as been at home for nearly 3 week s now because honestly scared to go out and be around people as I don't want to get sick also some advice how to deal with my bad thoughts and nightmares I cant handle my depression alone thanks for the video kati👍
My medication had bad side effects the dose was also high but now I got a new medication and it’s much better no side effects really and I like it better. This one works the same as the other just without side effects
I find it really hard to get the motivation to actually do learning outside of school I look at what I need to do and have a list and reminders but I have done one thing and have four overdue and I just can’t get myself to do them Great video Kati really helpful thank you
This is my community group. I have no friends, I talk to my parents solemnly because my mom is a trigger in herself, I cry every time I talk to her and my dad is always working. My brothers are working too. I have deadlines and I don't even work for an hour a day. I just feel so lazy. The problem is that I can't even blame the pandemic. I work from home anyway because I only have 1 class. I was struggling then and struggling now. I just keep looking for comfort but it's really just me being lazy. I try to set a routine and I get so exhausted and I eat too much or not at all. I try to eat healthier but then that doesn't work out. IDK I'm stressed. I was supposed to get my master's this semester but that has been pushed back. I'm not even passionate about my career anymore or motivated. I spoke with my therapist and she says everyone is struggling but what happens when everyone gets back on their feet and I'm still a bum? When everyone gets the freedom to leave their house and visit their friends. I'll still be here in my room. Nowhere to go and nobody to share the experience with.
I've been considered "treatment resistant" and ECT was suggested for almost 2 years. All the medications I have been on throughout my life (it's been a long journey) had been for adequate amounts of time. Nothing seemed to reduce the suicidal or any of the other negative symptoms of depression. FINALLY found a medication that helped with the suicidality. Unfortunately it also had me gain 40 lbs and even though I'm over a decade recovered from anorexia, it still definitely messes with me, especially getting comments from people who don't understand why it happened and why it happened SO FAST. Anyway, with that less of a worry, I still had no energy, no motivation, thought I was a burden (didn't help I had a therapist tell me I was a burden), etc. I had the DNA test done which helped explain why one medication wasn't doing much, so I came off. Lastly, started yet another antidepressant and the difference has been night and day. I have energy. I can get things done. Thoughts are still severely negative but I'm in a DBT group and am trying to find an individual therapist who I click with. That's proving to be impossible so far. All that to say, it can take YEARS to find what medication, or mix of medication, works for you, and we're all different.
I don't know where to post Q's, so I'll do it here. Q) I am 30 and I struggle with SELF HARM episodes. It is something I only do when I feel triggered to calm my anxiety. I have never talked to my therapist about it because I feel ashamed about my age. I think self harm is always associated with kids and teenagers, not adults. My first question is, why don't we talk more about self harm in adults, is it because it usually doesn't happen? And, how can I stop feeling immature about it? Thanks.
I think it cause most people get diagnosed with mental health problems at 20 or younger. I just got diagnosed with anxiety and HFD and I’m 18 years old.
Isaiah Carter if you don’t mind me asking, when and why did you get the diagnosis? As in, what made you think you needed to get tested for anxiety in particular? You do not in anyway have to answer If you don’t want to!
Lilyxxx xxx just before the pandemic started I started to loose sleep with only 0-5 hours of sleep for 3 months straight and now I have to taking sleeping medicine to sleep. I got diagnosed like a month ago.
Hey Kati! I struggle with maladaptive daydreaming and I’d love some more information on it. There’s not much info/advice on it anywhere. I can lose up to 5 hours per day just daydreaming. Have you had any clients experience this and how did you approach the issue as a therapist. Thanks! (I love your videos by the way)
I used to do that and I find it to be a good thing because it was calming for me. Now I daydream but it's more stressful and negative thoughts that I'm trying to get out of but regular daydream is very calming. I, too, would like more info on this.
In response to the first question, I would say try writing it down and either emailing it or bringing it to the next session. I usually feel so frustrated after sessions because I'm not able to express myself. I tend to shut down or dissociate as well. A lot of times as soon as I get home I'll brain dump all the stuff I wish I could have expressed in session in an email to my therapist. I still wish I could be able to talk about it in session, but maybe with time.
Katie, you mentioned ECT as a last resort. What about TMS, Ketamine therapy, or guided (in a clinical setting) psilocybin and LSD Therapy. I’ve been learning a lot about these banned drugs from the failed war on drugs way back when....there are a lot of people getting these alternative psychoactive drugs who are getting immediate or only a handful of months of treatments with clinically guided psychedelic trips. From what I’ve learned, it helps give people a deep understanding, insight, perspective, and conscious awareness about their lives that they are overcoming depression, PTSD, CPTSD, anxiety, and ADDICTION! There’s so much out there about the research of this. MAPS.org is a good start. But I want to know your thoughts on this. I am all for it, if it means someone doesn’t have to stay on antidepressants that don’t work....taking one of these psychoactive drugs with talk therapy after their “trip” the day of, more talk therapy weeks and months after.... instead of taking a non-working antidepressant for years, they get CURED from their depression, PTSD, addiction because of it. I’m for it. I want it to be happening now in America. It can help so many people. I hope someone at the top in the FDA can use empathy and see how beneficial it could be to the human race.
Hi Kati, I love your videos!!! I have a question. How do I open up and speak to my therapist when I get the feeling she doesn't care about anything I say or feel? I also feel slightly scared and worried about things that may happen as a result of what I say. It gets super lonely and I would love to open up and be able to vent about things that are going on but feel as though I cant and even if I do, she doesn't care
I was on bupropion. The side effects were really bad the first 7-10 days. But after the first week or so I had no side effects for about 3 years. Then I started experiencing different side effects than the first week. I stopped because those side effects persisted for a long time and became intolerable.
Kati your podcast have helped me so much tomorrow will be a difficult day because it is Palm Sunday tomorrow and my uncle died of suicide on Palm Sunday when I was 8 years old and we were so close tomorrow is gonna be rough but I will turn too your videos and your support group on Facebook when I am struggling and I will do whatever I can too not self harm tomorrow
Thank you for answering my question! Starting grad school in the fall for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and self care is sooo important to me. Also.. When you said "true..." and then paused, I definitely thought you were going to say "...crime" lol. True connection is good too though ;)
Definitely a huge thank you for answering that first question. I didn’t ask it, but it’s literally me to a T and I’ve been dealing with it for the past year and a half with my therapist🤦🏾♀️
I despise phonecalls like hate them with a passion....but I have to say im so grateful ive had phone sessions and it actually wasnt that bad! 🙈 after she calmed me down and I lay on my floor (which isnt always an option in person lol)
On the 6th question - I started therapy right at the beginning of the quarantine and I usually read a few pages of a book while I'm waiting to get into the video call and I didn't even realize that that was a sort of pre-therapy ritual until last week when I couldn't find the book and I was totally freaking out 😅
I DID need to hear that today...thanx! FYI-the DNA test here in Canada is available, and not many companies will cover, but I looked into it, you can self refer and the cost is $499.00
Hi Kati I actually find it easy to talk about my trauma. But I verbally vomit it out. And I think I just disconnect from it. The emotional impact it had on me I simply can not connect with. Until after when I slow down and think then it brings on high anxiety and panic. This makes it really uncomfortable to dig into at all in therapy. Is there a way to overcome this? Or are there ways you could suggest to slow myself down and make myself feel it during therapy?
PLEASE talk to parents (me, multiple mental illnesses & cognitive disorder) and tips for suddenly forced into becoming teachers as most schools are virtual schooling-but the younger grades need 100% help. The stress of not just being cooped up, but the pressure to teach our kids (in my mind that means perfectly).
Hey katy! I struggle a lot with my eating (i dont have an eating desorder)... there are days were i will eat way to much and then i fell so guilty that i dont eat anything for like 3 days... but then again i will go an eat everything... how can i deal with this? I love you! Thanks for your advice all the time!
Hey Maca! I hope you are doing okay. You may not want to consider this an eating disorder, however from what you’ve said it sounds like bulimia. I’m not a registered therapist but I am on the way, so although I can’t diagnose you I think it would be beneficial to see a therapist or tell your GP.
Maca thats a stereotype. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5th edition, one of the diagnostic criteria is “A2: A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).” Which is something you mentioned, then the next diagnostic criteria is “B: Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviours in order to prevent weight gain, such as self induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.” Page 345. If the second criteria doesn’t fit you, you could have binge eating disorder. I’m not going to list the criteria as you can google that, it’s on page 350. Feel free to fact check this and do your own research because if you have to outright say you don’t have an eating disorder, you might have one and are denying it.
Hamna Qadir I don’t know. It’s different for everyone, as long as you are speaking with your circle of care (e.g., your psychologist, psychiatrist, family, friends, etc) whoever is supporting you through this. If you don’t have one, book a one off with a psychologist to talk about how you could make one.
Hey, Kati....question for you. A very important part of my therapy has always been hugs from my therapist at the beginning and end of a session. With social distancing, that is not possible. We spent a whole session with me crying, because, although I understand, I'm sad. How can I learn to be ok without one (especially after a tough session)?
In my country therapists never hug their clients. More physikal contact, than shaking hands? Not gonna happen. But I can understand, that it's a difficult situation now, since you're accomodated to hugging her.
I struggle with the eye contact thing. Because I've always been told that avoiding eye contact means that you are being dishonest. So when i try to talk about difficult things with family I get dismissed as dishonest. I also really struggle with the internal conversation. My internal speak is very negative. I find it really difficult to change my internal dialogue. I feel bad to talk to anyone about this because i feel stuck
Hey Kati I love your channel. My question is: Do you have any advice for me? I'm a Sophomore in college studying psychology and I want to be a therapist just like you. I have had to leave school twice already because I became suicidal. I transferred to a new college this year and have been doing better but I still have been struggling with my depression.
Maybe schooling is too much pressure for you right now. Therapy and medication can help you deal with life stressors but if you're also trying to go to school to become a therapist, that's intense schooling. Just my opinion. I had to drop out of college because I couldn't handle the pressure. You have to take care of your mental/emotional/physical health or the stress buildup will completely derail your life. Be compassionate towards yourself and don't beat yourself up if you decide that leaving school is in your best interest right now. You are important and deserve happiness and wholeness.
I love your channel and your video s kati your video s are so helpful and interesting and I have no psychologist or therapist right now dont know when I will be seeing 1 again due to the Corona virus my days are a struggle my sleep and feeling depressed I am struggling to feel good or happy your great 👍🙂
I struggle a lot with symptoms of pure O, do you have any tips for managing? I know you spoke about managing compulsions in your last video, but how you stop crazy chaotic thoughts? My thoughts aren't sexual or violent, but they're really controlling and critical in nature and when they're bad they just don't stop. They're a constant stream of anxious and critical thoughts that I can't stop. E.g "okay I'm going to sit down and meditate, ah no I did it wrong no I shouldn't criticise myself but yes I should no I shouldn't AGHHHHH this is too much okay why am I thinking this yes no yes okay breathe". I don't know if that's the best example, it's hard to think of what the thoughts would be when I'm not experiencing them. I also find that I have this obsessive need to write out plans for my future self (who I assume is struggling) on how to get back to being in a good place, for some reason it feels urgent and is coming from a panicked place. I feel like I make so much progress and then once I fall into a hole I forget all the things that worked to get me out. Any thoughts?
Love your videos.I have been unfairly dismissed because of temporary medical incapacity for mental illness. Work was the biggest reason for my illness of PTSD, ED, anxiety and severe panic attacks. I was emotionally abused, bullied, sexual harassed and they said that I am lying about what I am accusing them of. I am seeing a psychologist and on a strong meds. You can imagine the financial stress and the effects it has on me. Feel if I am suffocating slowly.
Bianca Bornman I had an experience at a job where my employers used my mental illness as a way to gaslight me and create a narrative that ultimately got me fired. That experience was extremely difficult. I had been misdiagnosed as bipolar so I was on lots of meds I really didn’t need. On the plus side a couple years later they were fired in a very public way. It felt like I got to see karma in action. I’m not sure if your situation is like that but it sounded similar
Monica Bliss sounds similar. My medical history I kept private for that reason thus they are not able to use it at all. It is just hard fighting this and trying to get government income benefit approved at the same time. You get tired and feels like a constant losing battle!
SSRIs are rapid-acting serotonin-boosting medications, and as a side effect they sometimes help with depression after long-term use. Just because it's doing something and hasn't helped yet doesn't mean it'll never help. If you're desperate enough to gamble on side effects in the first place, you shouldn't be declaring your trial over the moment you get mild side effects and aren't feeling better yet.
Oh, that first question hit me hard. It's been a bad day. I just had a phone ck in with my therapist in which I cried the whole time and now 2 mins in to this and wham! I'm goin to bed. This day is over in my book.
Hi, I have a question about dealing with illness during the current situation when healthcare is not readily available (I'm in the UK). I've been ill for 7 months, with no diagnosis yet but now the cause is suspected, I also lost my job in February because of it. However all my hospital and Dr appointments have been cancelled due to coronavirus and I'm being told that I'm "non urgent" - which is really unvalidating (esp since I have high fever, pain, can't eat and now my hair is coming out and having dental issues). I'm really starting to feel down and hopeless about ever getting better and I just feel so ill and frustrated that no one seems to be taking me seriously. How can I help myself keep positive and have the energy to keep fighting for treatment?
Hey Kati ! Thanks for answering all my questions up to this point :) However I have an issue, I am a student and for the next couple of years i will be moving about twice a year. Do you know about any solution for me to be in therapy and potentially have medication if needed? Because I considered betterhelp but they said that my issue can’t be dealt with like that and i wouldn’t be able to have a prescription
How do we handle roommates suddenly going nuts where suddenly everyone's deciding to drop chore responsibility, ask for more money, or deny pre-established financial duties? (different in power dynamic and nature from fights with being stuck with family at home right now)
Everyone keeps telling me that therapy sessions over the phone are almost as good as face-to-face therapy (they say there are many studies about that). What if you dissociate a lot? Are there any studies about dissociative patients and phone therapy? Do you think it is an impossible equation?
I haven't heard of any studies, but I'm wondering what your experience has been like. I definitely prefer in-person sessions, but it depends on if my client and I still feel totally attuned to each other during phone/video therapy. Do you think your therapist can catch/tune into your disassociation or are you feeling unheard/unseen? If so, in-person might be better. Best of luck to you in this journey!
Hey Kati, I did have an affair. It was with my previous therapist. I’m not actually talking to anyone now. My wife knows about the affair. I find it still messes with my feelings and my head. It’s been 5 years now, but my head can’t seem to process it all or why I allowed it. I take responsibility though acknowledge it takes two. She, I thought, was my “dream girl” that I would never get - but I did. It was great when it was happening, but now I am left with the damage and she’s moved on, but she moved to my state, and if we have eroded to what we have, I just want nothing to do with her. She lives where my family goes on vacation every year. It brings back memories that hurt my heart and hate myself all at the same time. How do I move away from those memories? She got her PhD and I have no wanting to hurt her business, I do not believe this is something common for her.
Hey Kati, thanks a lot for your amazing work. I'm having a hard time with seeing my loved ones, especially my parents, getting older. Idk why but it makes me tear up everytime I think about it and I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to better manage these thoughts. I feel like I wanna "decelerate" life because it seems to be going faster and faster.
Kati, I know I've brought this up before but have you read anything about Ketamine Infusions for major depression when all other antidepressant medications haven't worked? I was one of those poor souls who had tried about ten different antidepressants. Setraline (Zoloft) had worked wonders for me but eventually I peaked out at 225 mg. and it stopped working. Long story short, I needed some money and had participated in other antidepressant drug trials at The Atlanta Center for Medical Research and the lead psychiatrist (and fellow artist!) got me into a study that was using Ketamine delivered through an I.V. Longer story short, I did really, really well on it and it completely changed my life for the better. Somehow I was also able to be a patient in another Ketamine trial for medication resistant depression. This one involved a nasal spray delivering the medication. That one was a bit scarier in terms of how whacked out it made me feel but, over time I got used to the weird effects. Both drug trials were a big benefit to me. Anyway, I know that Ketamine infusions are covered by the National Health Service in Great Britain and some other countries but not in the USA, surprise surprise. There is a medical office in Bellevue, WA that offers Ketamine infusions but because insurance won't cover it, even one session will cost about $5k! If any of your RU-vid subscribers are interested in further information, I suggest contacting The Atlanta Center for Medical Research and see if the psychiatrists there can offer any information about drug trials in other parts of the USA. Sorry this post is so dang lengthy! But, help IS out there.
Awesome. Just awesome. Now Im going to makes notes, reflect and not demand any more of myself for the rest of the day.....thankyouthankyouthankyou.....I REALLY MEAN THAT!
My gran died tuesday night I've been in my flat alone trying to deal with it and it sucks not going able to visit my sister. Thank the universe I have work tonight so get some form of interaction with people .
What if a person has severe mental illness and cognitive deficits and wants to become self-sufficient (like having a career in psychology)? Is it possible? I suppose it's on a case by case basis, but in general, could it be done?
Hi Kati! Thanks for the videos! I'm wondering if you could put time stamps/ links to the start time of each question in your video descriptions? I'm not sure if that's super hard to do, but if it's easy then maybe?
Hi Kati, I had a condition with my eyes which caused me a phase of depression in 2017. The condition is rare at my age with unknown cause until now, and it could be probably due to suppressed stress which my body reacted to differently. Anyhow, I got better for the past 2 years both physically and mentally, but am faced again with that condition again probably due to stress and I don't want to face it with the same victim-attitude as before. It made things worse before and I don't want to experience those dark times again. I'd appreciate your advice on how to be mentally strong so I can overcome what am going through with a more brighter attitude. How someone can have a positive attitude when he is faced with a physical illness?, how to tackle the mental side effects that come along?. Much thanks and love! 🌹
C-19 has made this worse but i dealt with this before I HATE THE PHONE AND VIDEO CHATS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I causes really high anxiety and the one time i did during this isolation i talked to my Best friend /brother and it took so much out of me. any thoughts on how to deal? also I have no therapist or anyone right before all this happened i was starting my search. I live in Canada but do you have any suggestions. Thanks Oh BTW All your videos have been a huge help to me thanks again.
Question 4 is so good, before this summer break i was like sitting down and starting my day 9ish and ending my day at 8pm, ONLY SCHOOL. I COULD NOOTT concentrate at all, I swear to god i always miss the first class (i have math as first class every day) i can NEVER get up at 9am tho school normally started at 8am + i have to wake up at 7am. Every single teacher hates me and is annoyed by me, i never finish anything on time. And im like the only shitty student in my class, so like every teacher knows me as the shitty girl :D i also feel like im burned out in wednesdays already, so im even more shittier at school as the week goes lol Also i love your podcasts so much Kati, thank you!
Sorry If I am being a pain but I have one more question. I struggle with B.E.D and I am Morbidly Obese One of my biggest issues is losing the weight and having sagging skin and looking worse then before. I know that is silly and losing weight is more important . my question is this: How do I move past the fear of the sagging skin and do what i have to do for me to get healthy?
Hey Kati, I hope you see this before your next video comes out. My girlfriend has anxiety and depression, and told me in early march that shes suicidal. Theres been essentially zero communication between us two, and she's still active on social media like snapchat and facebook. How should I react to this? She's never joked about mental health, and I dont know what else to do aside from everything I've already tried.
why i feel that my surroundings suddenly became aggressive..even the birds sound feel like unpeaceful to me..it happened to me 3 times on my 20years of existence...i can't find the answer on google.. I hope you can help me..🙂
Hello Kati, you say, "a lot of depression is medication resistant because we need to work on our thoughts." I was wondering if you have studies that show this? I'd be interested in reading those. Thanks for all you are doing. Have a great day.
my brother is in the hospital now due to not taking his meds for scitzophrenia. He is calling me daily asking questions that would further upset him if he knew the truth. I have been asked not to tell him, he keeps fishing for answers. He needs to be working on getting better instead of his things.
Question! What are your thoughts on getting court record for a case in your past? When I was 5 I had to go be in a trial involving a man who was a sexual assaulter. I don't remember anything and I want to know what was said. Could this be good for my mental health (like closure) or end up being harmful?
With finding evidence to prove the negative things we say about ourselves, what if there is evidence to support it? Like what if we were told those negative things which then became beliefs? What if there isn't evidence to prove otherwise? E.g. What if you've had abusive family members all your life and you've been told that you're unlovable or worthless or whatever else? What if as a result of that, you don't allow yourself to get close to others so there isn't the opportunity for other people to show you otherwise? Or even worse, if you tried to reach out to others growing up but were bullied instead so it seems like it's really true? This isn't me specifically but it doesn't seem too far-fetched to believe
I think the theme music is too goofy. I always skip the intro music. And, don't feel bad about not wanting children. I am 52 years old and some people STILL give me grief about not ever having children. I knew I would be a terrible parent and just have enough energy to take care of fur "children" and my own injured inner child. I hate how society condemns women for not desiring children. Sexist bullsh*t!
