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I HAVE SPENT Rs 1,61,800 SO FAR TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF MY MENTAL HEALTH.
TW: anxiety, depression
Now that I have your attention with all that clickbait and all caps yelling, read this #thread.
TL; DR: WE NEED A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM!
(1/n)
TW: anxiety, depression
Now that I have your attention with all that clickbait and all caps yelling, read this #thread.
TL; DR: WE NEED A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM!
(1/n)
Taking care of your mental health is really important. And really expensive.
Why? Because healthcare in India sucks. (2/n)
Why? Because healthcare in India sucks. (2/n)
I am a straight, upper caste, middle class, cishet woman - putting this out there in the beginning just so that you have context.
I am privileged enough to be able to afford healthcare but it is still a LOT. (3/n)
I am privileged enough to be able to afford healthcare but it is still a LOT. (3/n)
Ok, let's talk some numbers.
I have been in therapy for 1 year and 11 months. I have dealt with anxiety pretty much all my life. (4/n)
I have been in therapy for 1 year and 11 months. I have dealt with anxiety pretty much all my life. (4/n)
I started seeing a therapist in 2018 after spending big part of a solo vacation in tears, not knowing why I was crying or feeling anxious.
First major anxiety attack happened at a hostel in Khajuraho. (Beautiful place btw. Do check it out) (5/n)
First major anxiety attack happened at a hostel in Khajuraho. (Beautiful place btw. Do check it out) (5/n)
1. Finding a therapist is not easy
2. Not necessary the first (or second or third) one you find will be a good fit for you.
(6/n)
2. Not necessary the first (or second or third) one you find will be a good fit for you.
(6/n)
3. You don't see 'results' for like months. Therapy is like a marathon. You have to keep doing the work. In my case, it took almost 9 months before I realised that growth for me was being able to recognise some of my triggers. (7/n)
4. Going from one therapist to another is too damn exhausting because you don't get to TL;DR your life there. You have to start from scratch every single time. Thankfully I didn't have to do that and got lucky the first time itself. (8/n)
Let's talk money now. Most therapists in a city like Delhi charge between 1000 rs to anywhere up to 4000 rs for an hour-long session.
When I started, my therapist used to charge 2000 rs/session. 4 sessions in a month for a year = 4 x 12 x 2000 = Rs 96,000
(9/n)
When I started, my therapist used to charge 2000 rs/session. 4 sessions in a month for a year = 4 x 12 x 2000 = Rs 96,000
(9/n)
After that I took a break for 8-9 months and when I went back in August 2019, the cost/session was Rs 2200. This time I decided to do two sessions/month. So till now (my most recent session was yesterday), I have spent -- 2 x 12 x 2200 = Rs 52,800
(10/n)
(10/n)
Total amount spent in therapy so far = Rs 1,48,800
(damn! this is the first time I've calculated this.)
Btw, this doesn't include the cost incurred to travel to the therapist's clinic and back.
(11/n)
(damn! this is the first time I've calculated this.)
Btw, this doesn't include the cost incurred to travel to the therapist's clinic and back.
(11/n)
Don't get me wrong, it has helped me a LOT. I can't imagine what I would've done without therapy.
(12/n)
(12/n)
My very special friend anxiety usually brings another friend to the party every now and then. That friend is insomnia. I have gone weeks without sleep. Like I can't sleep for more than 2-3 hours/day. At the same time my appetite decided this party wasn't cool enough for it.(13/n)
So, now I can't sleep or eat. And I LOVE food. I love to cook and I love to eat. So this was really messed up. Just thinking about food made me nauseaus.
It got a lot worse few months ago. There were other things too that I am not getting into right now. (14/n)
It got a lot worse few months ago. There were other things too that I am not getting into right now. (14/n)
I figured I need to do something at least about the sleep. So I went to a general physician. (I am too much of a fattu to try to get pills without a prescription)
TBH I just wanted sleeping pills. Something that would let me sleep for at least 5-6 hours/day. (15/n)
TBH I just wanted sleeping pills. Something that would let me sleep for at least 5-6 hours/day. (15/n)
The GP was concerned and asked me to go to a psychiatrist.
Now finding one during the lockdown was super fun. But a few friends told me about someone who is known to be pretty much the best. (and they were right.) (16/n)
Now finding one during the lockdown was super fun. But a few friends told me about someone who is known to be pretty much the best. (and they were right.) (16/n)
Now, let's talk money again. I booked an online consultation. Cost/consultation: Rs 3500.
He asked me to get tests done. Cost of that: Rs 6500.
And then a follow up after two weeks: Rs 3000.
Another followup scheduled after three weeks. (17/n)
He asked me to get tests done. Cost of that: Rs 6500.
And then a follow up after two weeks: Rs 3000.
Another followup scheduled after three weeks. (17/n)
So far, I have spent Rs 13000 on this (apart from therapy). Thankfully the meds are cheap.Don't get me wrong. It is really helping (A LOT) and the psychiatrist is really fucking good. Again completely worth it. can't stress enuf on how grateful I am that I can afford it. (18/n)
And of course there are cheaper options available out there but I wanted to go to someone who came with good recommendations because this shit is scary. like so scary. not gonna get into the stigma attached to pills.
So in total I have spent Rs 1,61,800 so far on mental health.
So in total I have spent Rs 1,61,800 so far on mental health.
This doesn't include many other things that we do to try to make ourselves feel better. Thankfully retail therapy never really worked for me. tbh I can't afford it anymore in any case. (20/n)
OK so the point of this thread is not to get sympathy or make you feel bad for me. I am just fine and I am taking care of myself.
The point is to highlight how badly we need a good healthcare system that supports people who deal with mental health-related issues.
(21/n)
The point is to highlight how badly we need a good healthcare system that supports people who deal with mental health-related issues.
(21/n)
Most insurance policies don't cover visits to a therapist. If you can find one that does, please share link. I am serious. I am looking for one.
(22/n)
(22/n)
I can't stress enough on the fact that I can only afford to take care of mental health because of my immense privilege.
I am a straight, upper caste, middle class, cishet woman. Just in case you couldn't see the amount of privilege I am sitting with. (23/n)
I am a straight, upper caste, middle class, cishet woman. Just in case you couldn't see the amount of privilege I am sitting with. (23/n)
For anyone who doesn't fit in these brackets, just finding a therapist who won't be an asshole alone is a big task. I am not gonna speak for anyone. But if you tag me, I will RT and try to amplify your stories.
(24/n)
(24/n)
WE NEED A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (like now).
Please share and tag your elected officials.
(25/n)
Please share and tag your elected officials.
(25/n)
Note: I am just sharing my experience. This thread doesn’t cover a LOT of issues like access to mental health, the stigma around it, education, etc. I can’t speak on a LOT of those issues and I’d rather amplify voices of those who can. Please tweet to me and I will RT. (26/n)
Some reading material: (27/n)
2016 survey: 13.7% of India's population is suffering a variety of mental illnesses. 10.6% of them require immediate treatment.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/mental-health-must-be-made-a-priority-for-have-nots-too/articleshow/76791823.cms (28/n)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/mental-health-must-be-made-a-priority-for-have-nots-too/articleshow/76791823.cms (28/n)
India must prepare for a growing mental-health epidemic https://caravanmagazine.in/health/india-must-prepare-for-a-mental-health-epidemic (29/n)
In the pandemic, anxiety is the new normal https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/in-the-pandemic-anxiety-is-the-new-normal/article31248014.ece (30/n)
Watch: How Covid-19 is impacting our mental health, and what the way forward is https://scroll.in/video/965926/watch-how-covid-19-is-impacting-our-mental-health-and-what-the-way-forward-is How will we remember this lockdown in a year, a decade, or 50 years from now? A conversation with psychiatrist Dr Alok Sarin. (31/n)
What You Need to Know Before You Look for Mental Health Support on Social Media https://science.thewire.in/health/mental-health-literacy-social-media-mhca-rci-accreditation/ (32/n)
Mental Health Halts The Growth Of Our Nation, Stigma Around It Must End https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/opinion-mental-health-halts-the-growth-of-our-nation-stigma-around-it-must-end/357023 (33/n)
Pandemic and mental health https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/pandemic-and-mental-health/article32123998.ece Psychologists should make extra efforts to support people who are marginalised and isolated (34/n)
Covid-19 lockdown why India must brace for a mental health crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/health/covid-19-lockdown-why-india-must-brace-for-a-mental-health-crisis-71889 (35/n)
Coronavirus triggers mental health crisis in India https://p.dw.com/p/3ecv4?maca=en-Twitter-sharing (36/n)
Isolation, Panic, Trauma: Is Mental Health Aid Reaching The Poor? https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/covid-lockdown-isolation-unemployment-panic-anxiety-mental-health-crisis-poverty-poor-needy (37/n)
In India, the deepening of the mental health crisis | Opinion
https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/in-india-the-deepening-of-the-mental-health-crisis/story-lsi7m4qbPlQOFbv9qRhkvL.html (38/n)
https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/in-india-the-deepening-of-the-mental-health-crisis/story-lsi7m4qbPlQOFbv9qRhkvL.html (38/n)
COVID-19: A Crisis of Multiple Paradoxes https://indianculturalforum.in/2020/05/07/covid-19-a-crisis-of-multiple-paradoxes
there are many more pieces out there on the issue. Go read. Educate yourself. (39/n)
there are many more pieces out there on the issue. Go read. Educate yourself. (39/n)
@ mental health professionals (MHP) who can afford to help people pro bono or at reasonable rates please tweet at me and I will RT. (n/n)
The Financial Burden That Comes With Seeking Therapy https://resetfest.com/the-financial-burden-that-comes-with-seeking-therapy/?twitter=share (n+1)
List of Mental Health Practitioners for Young Adults at Nominal Fee/Sliding Rates or for Free created by Mahima Kukreja ( @AGirlOfHerWords)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uEeTDdu58z8nVLbBG8o1qY2xbOhlb9TRVx5COnw2ZiQ/mobilebasic
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uEeTDdu58z8nVLbBG8o1qY2xbOhlb9TRVx5COnw2ZiQ/mobilebasic
Does the coronavirus pandemic carry signs of a generational trauma? https://scroll.in/article/966845/does-the-coronavirus-pandemic-carry-signs-of-a-generational-trauma
