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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& #39;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& #39;t see & #39;results& #39; 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& #39;t get to TL;DR your life there. You have to start from scratch every single time. Thankfully I didn& #39;t have to do that and got lucky the first time itself. (8/n)
Let& #39;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& #39;ve calculated this.)
Btw, this doesn& #39;t include the cost incurred to travel to the therapist& #39;s clinic and back.
(11/n)
(damn! this is the first time I& #39;ve calculated this.)
Btw, this doesn& #39;t include the cost incurred to travel to the therapist& #39;s clinic and back.
(11/n)
Don& #39;t get me wrong, it has helped me a LOT. I can& #39;t imagine what I would& #39;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& #39;t sleep for more than 2-3 hours/day. At the same time my appetite decided this party wasn& #39;t cool enough for it.(13/n)
So, now I can& #39;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& #39;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& #39;t get me wrong. It is really helping (A LOT) and the psychiatrist is really fucking good. Again completely worth it. can& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;t see the amount of privilege I am sitting with. (23/n)
For anyone who doesn& #39;t fit in these brackets, just finding a therapist who won& #39;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& #39;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">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagp... (28/n)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/mental-health-must-be-made-a-priority-for-have-nots-too/articleshow/76791823.cms">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagp... (28/n)
India must prepare for a growing mental-health epidemic https://caravanmagazine.in/health/india-must-prepare-for-a-mental-health-epidemic">https://caravanmagazine.in/health/in... (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">https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/scie... (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">https://scroll.in/video/965... 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/">https://science.thewire.in/health/me... (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">https://www.outlookindia.com/website/s... (33/n)
Pandemic and mental health https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/pandemic-and-mental-health/article32123998.ece">https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/o... 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">https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/heal... (35/n)
Coronavirus triggers mental health crisis in India https://p.dw.com/p/3ecv4?maca=en-Twitter-sharing">https://p.dw.com/p/3ecv4... (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">https://www.thequint.com/voices/op... (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">https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/... (38/n)
https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/in-india-the-deepening-of-the-mental-health-crisis/story-lsi7m4qbPlQOFbv9qRhkvL.html">https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/... (38/n)
COVID-19: A Crisis of Multiple Paradoxes https://indianculturalforum.in/2020/05/07/covid-19-a-crisis-of-multiple-paradoxes">https://indianculturalforum.in/2020/05/0...
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">https://resetfest.com/the-finan... (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/...
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uEeTDdu58z8nVLbBG8o1qY2xbOhlb9TRVx5COnw2ZiQ/mobilebasic">https://docs.google.com/document/...
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">https://scroll.in/article/9...
