4 ms·

Relatively normal where? It's a recent development, and is definitely not true of everyone. My father will probably never see a therapist, even though he most

Relatively normal where? It's a recent development, and is definitely not true of everyone. My father will probably never see a therapist, even though he most definitely could use one. You aren't "broken" because you go to a therapist.

collyw 8y ago
Normal as in I see references to it in popular culture, US TV shows and films. A Hacker News article, which is international, but must have a heavy US bias. As I say it seems somewhat strange to me. (I hope this doesn't come across as offensive) but why would you go to a therapist of you aren't "broken" to some extent? (Maybe broken isn't the best choice of words, but I think you understand what I mean by it). It's not cheap to go to a therapist is it? It's not something we do over here. If it is more common than I realize then its not something we talk about.
- chickenfries 8y ago
  I understand what you mean, but I agree that it is not the best word. I see the therapist like going to the gym in many ways. I have some things I would like to change about my body. I would like to lose weight and be more healthy, so I go to the gym. The same with my mental health. It goes up and down with life and it’s trials and tribulations, but I see going to the therapist as maintenance. It’s an hour I spend every week reflecting on my own mental state and talking about it with my therapist. I have anxiety and depression, but I do not think of myself as “broken,” at least not anymore. Life is full of trauma and catastrophe. I think therapy is something most people would benefit from at at least some point in their life.
notananthem 8y ago
Therapy isn't really a "recent" development but its formality and evidence based research has really been refined to something to be proud of in the past 20 years. Yes, its been a shitshow up and down, but so was everything back in the day.

collyw 8y ago

Normal as in I see references to it in popular culture, US TV shows and films. A Hacker News article, which is international, but must have a heavy US bias. As I say it seems somewhat strange to me. (I hope this doesn't come across as offensive) but why would you go to a therapist of you aren't "broken" to some extent? (Maybe broken isn't the best choice of words, but I think you understand what I mean by it). It's not cheap to go to a therapist is it? It's not something we do over here. If it is more common than I realize then its not something we talk about.

chickenfries 8y ago
I understand what you mean, but I agree that it is not the best word. I see the therapist like going to the gym in many ways. I have some things I would like to change about my body. I would like to lose weight and be more healthy, so I go to the gym. The same with my mental health. It goes up and down with life and it’s trials and tribulations, but I see going to the therapist as maintenance. It’s an hour I spend every week reflecting on my own mental state and talking about it with my therapist. I have anxiety and depression, but I do not think of myself as “broken,” at least not anymore. Life is full of trauma and catastrophe. I think therapy is something most people would benefit from at at least some point in their life.

notananthem 8y ago

Therapy isn't really a "recent" development but its formality and evidence based research has really been refined to something to be proud of in the past 20 years. Yes, its been a shitshow up and down, but so was everything back in the day.