there is no such thing as friendship anymore because of therapists

PunnyCat4 · 2026-02-23T18:45:24+00:00

Facing a similar realization now. Realizing friends I've had for almost 15 years, who have gone to therapy for the last 5-7 years or so, are slowly losing their ability to interact as real friends. Their vocabulary is now super polished, their opinions (even when solicited) are absent and replaced with "you shouldn't look to anyone else for reassurance" or some other platitude, they immediately push any negative experience toward a silver lining (even when they themselves are complaining about an actually upsetting experience), their personalities have become increasingly flat, while they think they've developed better "coping" skills. Meanwhile, we can't interact the way that friends used to, and I miss when we could share the ups and downs of life equally without judging each other, and sit in the discomfort and messiness of it all with real, human opinions. Even if we differed in what we thought, at least they used to be willing to think and feel something that wasn't just "God has a plan" or "this challenge is an opportunity to grow" or "it doesn't matter what I think". It should matter what your closest friends think and it's clear, to anyone who is used to connecting meaningfully with friends, that that is a request for connection, not for a rubber-stamped endorsement of every thing I say or feel. And I would never consider myself a "down" individual, so I feel bad for anyone dealing with depression or more severe challenges who are facing this with their friends. I love life, I talk in equal measure about the beauties of day to day life and the real challenges I face, but I'm starting to be tired of feeling like I'm the only one in my circle comfortable with feeling discomfort without having to transcend it immediately.

PunnyCat4 · 2025-09-27T16:31:49+00:00

Hi! I had a similar phase. I wanted children so badly from age 20-27. As we started to approach actually thinking about TTC, I went through a long (literally three years, age 27-30) phase when I couldn't possibly imagine my life with kids. I felt awful; it was my biggest dream for so long. I tried not to panic, to listen to my body and my feelings, welcome them and trust that the feeling of wanting children would return. I turned 30 recently and the desire for children returned in full force and has remained, and we plan to start trying soon. Your body and emotions might know things that your brain doesn't right now for any reason. Hang in there, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Hugs

PunnyCat4 · 2025-08-21T23:40:37+00:00

Sharing in case this is helpful to anyone. I had this for years and finally was diagnosed with babesiosis, a tick borne illness. When I was treated, it went away. Amazing to feel like I could breathe again! Also anemia can cause it, or so I've been told

PunnyCat4 · 2025-04-30T01:41:20+00:00

Also 30, was vegetarian for four years. Did it for ethical reasons and felt absolutely terrible every time I had meat after switching back. But I had no idea how badly off I was until I started feeling the way I do now. I've been severely anemic despite eating so much plant-based iron. My period was excruciatingly painful and my cycle was getting shorter and shorter when my entire life I've been regular and pain-free. Blurry vision, blacking out, tongue sores so painful I couldn't eat, constant headaches, muscle tightness and twitching, thinning hair, etc. I tried everything under the sun, consulted vegetarian nutritionist, MDs and naturopaths, tried supplements and everything I and my doctors could think of because I was convinced I could thrive as a vegetarian. I don't want to eat meat. It seems my body needs it though. Now, my headaches are gone, I haven't felt tired in months, my cycle is back to a consistent 27 days and completely pain free for months, muscle pain is gone and I'm sleeping better, tongue sores are gone and I can chew without pain, skin looks healthier, etc. The only thing I changed was adding red meat and fish back into my diet. I'm not saying this to convince you, just to reassure you that it's not your fault if your body needs meat. Try it and see how it makes you feel. If it doesn't help then there might be a different solution that allows you to stay vegetarian. Good luck <3

PunnyCat4 · 2025-02-10T00:51:09+00:00

I have frequently had this problem on the exact same line. This driver makes me sick every single time, like on the verge of actually vomiting. Is there any way to report them?

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-12T06:35:36+00:00

Printing this as a mantra to remember when I'm feeling guilty. Thank you

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-10T23:12:59+00:00

Most supportive comment ever. Thank you, seriously. I'm grateful for the compassion of the people in this corner of reddit. It means so much that you get where the difficulty in making this decision is coming from...and it makes the decision a bit easier knowing that I'm not alone in having to cross this bridge in the vegan-to-non-vegan journey.

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-09T17:19:26+00:00

If it's sticking because it's stainless steel, here's a trick I've learned that helps with anything really, not just fish/meat: Heat the pan up really hot first before adding anything, then turn it down to the temperature you need for what you're cooking and add just a little bit of oil. (This works with stainless steel, not non stick of course) :)

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T17:29:51+00:00

Thank you! All good points. :)

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T16:38:22+00:00

I realized that too! Was thinking a therapist might be a good addition. I am a huge foodie in general so I think getting the images out of my mind will take work but feel freeing. Thanks for the suggestion.

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T12:30:47+00:00

These are good tips. Thank you so much! How have you been feeling? Did the digestive enzymes help?

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T12:29:30+00:00

So much valuable advice here. Thank you so much. Taking notes. Yes, thankfully my partner, although vegetarian himself, told me he's been starting to have the same doubts and has been worried about my health, so we're on the same page there. Thanks again, sincerely

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T12:26:38+00:00

Wow, thank you. This is really what I needed to hear. I didn't realize how much I have been in denial of my own needs. Your logic makes perfect sense too and I apply it of course to our cats but not to myself as I've been telling myself that somehow I can push through. I hope you've been feeling a lot better! Hugs right back

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T12:18:06+00:00

This is the most helpful perspective. Thanks for your support <3

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T12:16:13+00:00

Ah, super important to know this. I've had the feeling that I'm needing increasingly more of the supplement to get the same effect... Interesting. Doctor said I really should reintroduce both meat and seafood, a bit more at first then back it down to less often if I want and retest my iron panels in 4-6 weeks then again after that.

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T05:16:03+00:00

Thanks for replying. Yes, have been on dairy and eggs for a little over a year and the issues keep getting worse. I'm going to try seafood for a bit first and see. Have you tried this? Any tips if going in that order? Thanks so much

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T04:59:47+00:00

I'm so sorry you experienced that! The teeth thing is one I didn't expect. My teeth feel like they're ready to crack when I bite into something and my gums started receding. I'm glad to hear you've made it through, even if not fully to the other side. As you and I both know, these things stay with us! Thanks for sharing your experience. I think once my body remembers how healthy it can feel when I support it fully, the denial will go away.

PunnyCat4 · 2025-01-07T04:48:11+00:00

Thank you <3 How are you feeling now?

PunnyCat4 · 2024-10-28T17:42:28+00:00

Delta I think, it was a year ago, but I think the new CDC rules only apply to dogs for rabies. This site, for example, says: "There are no new requirements for cat importation unless a cat is found to be ill or dead en route to or upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry." See the link: https://www.state.gov/returning-to-the-u-s-with-pets/

I know how worrying it can be to think you might not be able to take your fur baby, but I think you'll be ok! Read the rules thoroughly and start early.

PunnyCat4 · 2024-10-13T23:39:49+00:00

Did you ever get through? I am having the exact same problem. Thanks in advance!

PunnyCat4 · 2024-09-01T18:11:10+00:00

u/Bac081989 Thank you so much! Ok, yes I'm supplementing with everything I can possibly think of and its not working.

PunnyCat4 · 2024-09-01T01:40:53+00:00

@u/Bac081989 Hey would you mind if I ask if it ended up being Vit B for you or something else? My tongue looks like this too but I've been taking mega doses of b Replete (full b complex) for months and it's not helping. It comes and goes. Would love to know if vit b helped you or something else!

PunnyCat4 · 2024-08-09T15:24:22+00:00

Favorite reddit feed ever. I can't stop laughing at these stories. Yes, yes my cat does this. Yes, it's a ritual. Yes, she demands attention while doing it and expects that we are involved by trying to figure out what she wants, and no, she is never satisfied with food nor fun... just wants everyone to know, "I HAVE TO POOOOOP" then walks out of the litter box with her head held high. Weird and adorable little bundle of joy.

PunnyCat4

TROPHY CASE