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I 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 ca

by ada1981 13y ago

I 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.

jackgolding 13y ago
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
- ada1981 13y ago
  I was thinking of putting together an article / video on this as I usually spend an hour covering the same basics when I do a free session. I'll work on it today.
thenomad 13y ago
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.
- ada1981 13y ago
  It may very well have worked for you. The data seems to a show that about 1/3 stay the same, 1/3 get better and 1/3 get worse. When I say psychoanalysis I mean it in the classical Freudian sense, and yes there are some things that seem to work better than others. I read that the average American has .8 intimate friendships - I think having a relationship where you feel comfortable expressing some of your emotion and inner life is valueable for sure and can be healing.
  - thenomad 13y ago
    Can you point me to the study (ies) you're talking about here? I'd be interested to look into this further, but would like to be sure we're both discussing the same thing.

by ada1981 13y ago

jackgolding 13y ago

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

ada1981 13y ago
I was thinking of putting together an article / video on this as I usually spend an hour covering the same basics when I do a free session. I'll work on it today.

thenomad 13y ago

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.

ada1981 13y ago
It may very well have worked for you. The data seems to a show that about 1/3 stay the same, 1/3 get better and 1/3 get worse. When I say psychoanalysis I mean it in the classical Freudian sense, and yes there are some things that seem to work better than others. I read that the average American has .8 intimate friendships - I think having a relationship where you feel comfortable expressing some of your emotion and inner life is valueable for sure and can be healing.
- thenomad 13y ago
  Can you point me to the study (ies) you're talking about here? I'd be interested to look into this further, but would like to be sure we're both discussing the same thing.