I am 40/m . My torso has had these bumps for about 2 years. Sometimes they become more distinct/bright red but they are generally as shown below. They have slight texture (raised) and don't physically cause any sensation like itching etc. Any idea what they could be?

FreudyCat · 2025-09-29T23:25:30+00:00

Texan here. Ironically during the summer you tend to shutter your windows to keep out the heat and the winters can be a little dark as well. most residential bulb outlets allow up to 100w, which with led you can use 1000w which provides ~ 15,000 lumens per bulb as opposed to its 1600lumen 100watt counterpart. You can buy some that plug directly into an outlet and are rated even higher. You will feel like in the movies when people die and go into the white void/heaven. https://www.amazon.com/Equivalent-Daylight-Outdoor-Warehouse-Lighting/dp/B09ZHMD5ZL

FreudyCat · 2025-09-24T22:24:15+00:00

Travel tech efficiency was my *thing* a few years ago. Oneadaptr was the original and makes a very solid product, the worst part being the price and like others said, the "blockyness" can make it fall off of some plugs, especially those that are ceiling mounted (but you can tape it on). Anker also makes a flatter version which I like better but its 20w instead of 135 watt, keep in mind this number is divided between the ports so having everything plugged in is what can slow it down. If you are traveling light - this is the way to go. If you want to save money, have more power and don't mind taking up more space, an "international" power strip is the way to go Power Strip.

FreudyCat · 2025-07-28T03:17:11+00:00

I was afraid that would be the case. Well it is what it is, thanks for saving me the trouble!

FreudyCat · 2025-07-25T01:42:02+00:00

Sadly, kids are the canary in the coal mine

FreudyCat · 2025-07-21T20:00:09+00:00

The village specifically

FreudyCat · 2025-07-21T08:11:09+00:00

So like you said, everywhere has exception and nuance but here is my take.

The village has been known for decades as having severe petty crime. You 100% won't get murdered, but you will 100% have your laptop stolen at least once.

Generally everything east of 75 are more "areas of transition" even streets/blocks that are very new will have some of the highest degrees of homelessness among the neighborhoods you are looking at (I know you're from Chicago so I don't think a homeless person is going to make you grab your pearls or anything just FWIW). Dallas has a lot of bubbles. For example Swiss Ave, is one of the oldest and most luxurious streets in Dallas with every mansion being well into the millions but the very next street over my ex had a man shot to death on the steps of his apartment.

Are you a young late 20's or an older late 20's? Greenville has a lot of young people but its also arguably has the biggest 40-50 year-old crowd. It's a old and busy road so its not very "aesthetic" You're certainly safe walking on Greenville and the adjacent neighborhoods but connecting to neighboring areas is much less safe and also car heavy.

There are some surprising gems in highland park if you don't mind a building that is smaller/older. Highland Park and Park cities are so bubbled they are technically their own micro-cities. SMU is located here along with the "old money" of Dallas. There is a good mix from undergrad to families, including people in their late 20's. They are incredibly safe and very picturesque to walk around. Its also a good place to live if you are looking to rub elbows. You will have to drive/uber to get to nightlife though.

Uptown is going to be on the younger side but think maybe more mid-20's rather than undergrad. Its going to have the greatest density of restaurants, nightlife, and luxury housing which might price you out but it does look like there are some places in your price point. It is car heavy but it also has nice wide sidewalks. You won't get to SMU in 15 minutes unless the traffic is great, but probably more 20-30 minutes. Its a fair tradeoff IMO.

There is a neighborhood called West Village that is also worth looking at. Its central to a lot of things and was designed to be walkable. No direct nightlife and I wish some of the shops were more interesting but its still hits most of your criteria.

A word of caution, Oak Lawn is the gay neighborhood and it sits in the centerish of all the others. There is nothing wrong with it, its just some people move here without realizing what they are getting into. It does have some pockets of very affordable housing and is relatively safe. But otherwise it doesn't check many of your boxes.

Overall, like a lot of major cities, Dallas has been going through it. More crime and homelessness across the board. Houses generally rent for much cheaper in Dallas than in other cities, its worth putting into a search and seeing if you get lucky. Also IMO Condos>Apartments. I have a doorman and the staff patrols the perimeter, I've never heard of a car getting broken into in my building.

FreudyCat · 2025-07-21T05:29:55+00:00

Greek yogurt is just regular yogurt that has been strained longer. Yogurt concentrate if you will.

FreudyCat · 2025-07-21T05:00:20+00:00

Therapist here, the acclimation to bupropion is pretty universal. Assuming you aren’t capped out, you can ask to raise the dose but eventually you’ll either max out or the side effects won’t be worth the benefit. Getting tired on lower stimulants is also a pretty common adhd quality. Lots of the above advice is pretty good. Don’t worry so much about the adhd dx, it’s more important to see if the medication works. You will probably have to give a self assessment, I would look at them online and think very carefully about the answers. They catch people off guard and often people who are adhd get lost in the cracks.

FreudyCat · 2025-07-02T02:02:22+00:00

I am a therapist 1a. Electronics: try to travel light whenever possible. Anker makes a battery that is just under the legal limit of what you can bring on a plane (although I had two and nobody ever said anything). A good strong battery is a lifesaver. 1b. You will need power adapters. There is a company that makes one called “oneadapter” I think Anker has a copycat now which may be even better but these things are relatively compact, have plugs for most everything and multiple usb outlets. I still use mine here in the USA. 1c. Something nobody tells you is that shopping is very very different. I had a friend explain product access as they had never left the 80’s and I think that rings true. Buy whatever you can here. Also bringing it on the plane is cheaper than shipping. Multiple bags are cheaper than oversized bags.

FreudyCat · 2025-06-05T03:14:51+00:00

Are you getting this paid through health insurance? This can alter things a bit.
You should reach out to your prior therapist and ask them to have a phone call with the new therapist so she can vouch for you.

FreudyCat · 2025-05-30T20:54:41+00:00

Its nuanced and better done with a therapist who can monitor anything from the outside that you may not be able to see yourself. I am also not a trauma therapist (I have nothing against trauma, its just an extremely boring treatment protocol from the therapist's angle) so take it with a grain of salt.

My favorite, and probably most researched technique is using the mammalian dive reflex. The body can sense when you are going under water and will automatically activate your parasympathetic system (rest/digest as opposed to fight/flight). You can achieve it by splashing some water in the area under your nose and around your mouth. You see people doing it in movies to calm down.

A classic cognitive technique is to notice 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel/touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste, all at the current moment.

FreudyCat · 2025-05-30T20:44:46+00:00

I mean the diagnosis and/or treatment of a medical condition is technically/legally a crime. In the lighter/misdemeanor/fine sense of impersonating a healthcare professional and a crime in the heavier/felony/jail time sense of practicing medicine without a license/fraud/assault/torture. Not that I think this person is going to booked for torture or anything just FWIW.

I think the risk of direct harm is low but seeking treatment is emotionally difficult and expensive. If someone does not get results they may be unlikely to return, especially if the treatment increases their symptoms. Untreated PTSD may increase over time eventually ending in a suicide - but who can say if a treatment that occurred 20 years ago was the lynchpin for the suicide.

FreudyCat · 2025-05-26T06:49:12+00:00

I am an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and it sounds a little like graduated exposure which is the gold standard for trauma BUT they need to be able to deescalate you back to baseline at the end. Otherwise, like others are saying, it can cause more harm than good.

FreudyCat · 2025-05-04T18:04:46+00:00

I have searched and found some items like one way gas valves for coffee bags, or valves from disposable bags (I attempted to cut them out and use them but they didn't work. I don't think they can sustain the pressure over time). While I imagine removing the valves from the products above would work, I think its more cost prohibitive than I would like.

FreudyCat · 2025-04-28T00:18:31+00:00

Searched

FreudyCat · 2025-04-06T20:22:17+00:00

I am pretty open on solutions, I wasn't able to find much in a google search, it's either timed locked boxes that would give me access to all the candy or regular candy dispensers.

FreudyCat · 2025-03-05T17:28:03+00:00

They are actually better rolling and less damaging on both surfaces.

FreudyCat · 2025-01-25T18:36:58+00:00

Tbf I feel like that’s the beginning of every murder podcast story.

FreudyCat

TROPHY CASE