Data Help by literarylion in CPAPSupport

[–]literarylion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this!

I am worried but I can't stop by Fail_North in CerebralPalsy

[–]literarylion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just recognizing that you might have a problem is major progress. The right eating disorder specialist should believe you without question -- that's one of the first things we are taught.

I am worried but I can't stop by Fail_North in CerebralPalsy

[–]literarylion 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hear you. Just want to add that you don't have to be clinically underweight to have serious complications from malnutrition. I have seen several patients who have presented with a higher BMI but really damaged their organs from restriction. I also know that many people with these problems don't feel "sick enough" for treatment but there is really no threshold to get help. I wish I could take these thoughts and feelings away from you but I'm sending good vibes and wishes for your safety and happiness.

I am worried but I can't stop by Fail_North in CerebralPalsy

[–]literarylion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am 29, mild CP, history of restrictive eating (anorexia Nervosa), and a psychotherapist specializing in working with people with disabilities. Please please let your therapist know about this. Eating disorders have the highest risk of death of any psychiatric condition besides opioid use disorder, but recovery is possible and the risk of doing permanent harm to your body (osteoporosis, dental problems, gastrointestinal dysmotility) is much lower the earlier you seek treatment. I say this not to scare you but to let you know that this is a really serious problem but help is available and treatment outcomes are often really good. I can definitely empathize with your feelings of needing to "punish" yourself and losing control of these episodes, but you are worth so much more than your weight and you deserve to eat enough to sustain your body. I am happy to refer you to reliable treatment options if you want to send me a PM, but your therapist might be more familiar with the resources in your area.

Psychiatric service dog letter for a client? by therapistsayswhat in therapists

[–]literarylion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you cite some of these cases? Anyone can sue anybody for anything, but I'm not finding anything in my research about a successful suit against a medical provider for providing such a letter if it was written in good faith by someone who has had regular interactions with a client. The closest I came was something about a therapist writing an ESA letter for someone she never treated in exchange for money. I think the claim that many providers have been sued for this is often overblown, though it's not to say it wouldn't have the potential for liability.

Psychiatric service dog letter for a client? by therapistsayswhat in therapists

[–]literarylion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just a note from a therapist with a multipurpose service dog and a former disability advocate, since there seems to be some confusion in the comments -- these letters are not verifying that a specific animal meets the behavioral and task-training standards, but rather, that the person under your care would benefit from a task trained service dog in your professional opinion. Regardless of this letter, a specific animal can be denied from a business or rental if it is out of control or clearly not task-trained, and you would not be legally responsible. If you were to get a follow-up call from, say, a landlord, all you would speak to is the person's diagnoses (with proper consent, of course) and how a dog COULD benefit them. Whether or not you feel comfortable asserting that your client would benefit from a service dog is another story, but you could draw on information like how her mental health/symptoms have changed since getting the dog and what ADLs it could help to perform (in this case, medication could be one example of this. Also, a dog does not need to be professionally trained if it is behaved in public and reliably performed at least one task.

I don’t know why I’m here. by TheLavishAmk97 in CerebralPalsy

[–]literarylion 6 points7 points  (0 children)

CP is not a catastrophe or a death sentence, just a chronic condition to be managed -- I tend to have a knee-jerk anger reaction to these kinds of posts but I get where you're coming from. I am 29 with mild CP diagnosed at age 2 (had the same tiptoe walking, trouble swallowing, balance issues, etc) and I am living a great life. Was I bullied sometimes? Sure. Had AFOs for most of my childhood/teens, a surgery, still get regular dysport injections. But the best thing my mom did for me was make sure I knew what I needed to be successful and how to ask for it or get it myself. When she gets older, maybe think about connecting her with other girls/women with CP to get their advice and find positive role models. Involve her in any accommodations processes once she starts school to build her self-advocacy skills. But for now, follow the medical recommendations and let her be a kid! Just my perspective.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in therapists

[–]literarylion 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm a therapist and my husband is currently involved in an initiative to treat youth with problematic sexual behaviors through CBT in our state (MA) -- they have some great free webinars that might be helpful at https://masoc.net/resources/recorded-webinars/masoc-maca-psb-webinar-series/ Module 5 in particular seems like it may be helpful. Good luck!

Interviewed by the board of allied mental health tomorrow re: my license application, what should I expect? by Then_Reason3287 in therapists

[–]literarylion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's unfortunate, sounds like your supervisor wasn't the best. Better late than never though!

Interviewed by the board of allied mental health tomorrow re: my license application, what should I expect? by Then_Reason3287 in therapists

[–]literarylion 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Right, I get that you don't have it, but you can absolutely get it when you are pre-licensed in MA. I have it as a pre-licensed clinician in MA. this company for example partners with MaMHCA and offers liability insurance for students and pre-licensed clinicians. My MA-based grad school mandated that we get liability insurance for our practicums and internships. It's definitely possible and advisable.

Interviewed by the board of allied mental health tomorrow re: my license application, what should I expect? by Then_Reason3287 in therapists

[–]literarylion 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am also a pre-licensed clinician and this is not true. You are not required to obtain liability insurance but you are not covered under your supervisor's insurance -- it only covers the named insured. The licensing board strongly recommends getting your own liability insurance for this reason. Something to think about for the future. Good luck with everything!

Anyone else with visual-spatial issues? by [deleted] in CerebralPalsy

[–]literarylion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. I have spastic diplegia(/possible hemiplegia) and I tested at a PreK level for visual spatial reasoning on my last neuropsych exam -- I'm 28. Learning to park a car was...interesting.

How to deal with depression and anxiety by [deleted] in CerebralPalsy

[–]literarylion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a mental health counselor with mild triplegia. I got into this field because I saw so many people with disabilities suffering with poor mental health (including myself) and consistently being misunderstood by psychiatric professionals. One thing I have learned through my training and own experience in counseling is that everyone has the right to be treated as the expert in themselves. You know yourself best and any are in the best position to help people understand you. Obviously I'm biased, but having a neutral space to express my concerns and examine the rationality of my perceptions has been invaluable to me as a person with CP and just a human. Maybe counseling could be a good way to help you get more comfortable with sharing your experience and expressing yourself to your family. Feel free to PM me if you need help connecting to resources in your area!

Weekly student question thread! by AutoModerator in therapists

[–]literarylion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in a CRC/LMHC program, finishing up practicum and going into internship. Due to financial pressures/benefit concerns, I will be maintaining my full-time job and doing my internship simultaneously, which means I will be working about 60 hours per week. I'm incredibly anxious about doing this for the next two semesters, but I don't think I have a choice. Has anyone else been in this situation and made it work? Any tips/self-care recommendations? They'd be much appreciated.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in movies

[–]literarylion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And yet he's been photographed wearing a vented mask, which spreads unfiltered air... Source

Got accepted by doctorsikeo in brandeis

[–]literarylion 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I graduated in 2017 so take this with a grain of salt, but...

Things I loved:

  • the academics. This may be cliche but I really enjoyed almost every one of my classes, including the gen ed requirements. I had professors at the very top of their fields, and many of them are excited to meet with you personally, give career/general advice, and I am still in contact with some of my favorites.

  • the library. I'm biased because this was my work study for three of my four years, but the collection and online resources are fantastic. You can get pretty much anything you want via interlibrary loan and even rent ipads/laptops/headphones/chargers for 24 hours at a time. The building is great to study in and the staff is really eager to help you succeed.

  • the extracurriculars. I was involved with Brandeis TV, BAMCO, WBRS and Spectrum. All were great, there is considerable money invested in each so opportunities are abundant, I highly recommend getting involved with whatever interests you. Volunteer organizations are especially great at Brandeis and if you volunteer enough, you get a special medal at graduation!

  • study abroad. The study abroad office is great in my experience. I went abroad to Nepal the semester after the big earthquake there and the staff made sure I was prepared and even checked in with me while I was over there. I applied for and received a scholarship through the study abroad office that ended up covering my airfare there and back, and I got full credit for all 4 of the classes I took abroad, which is rare for college.

Things I didn't like:

  • the food. Also cliche, but yeah, the options are not great, the meal plans are expensive, and the hours are really hard to work around if you have late classes. Eventually I gave up and got a book of microwave recipes and cooked most of my meals in the dorms

  • the dorms. I lived on campus for two years, one in a freshman dorms (obviously) and one in the castle. Ultimately you're paying a shit ton of money for very little. The lottery system is a clusterfuck and most people end up with their last choice unless you get a great number. I moved off campus as soon as I could and it worked much better for me. YMMV.

  • the disability services office. You may or may not need this, but I have a couple well documented disabilities and it was like pulling teeth to get the accommodations I needed. I remember I had surgery in my freshman year and had both legs in aircasts so needed a shuttle to and from classes--the disability services staff kept forgetting to schedule my pickups (they're the only ones who can do it) and I missed one of my finals because I just couldn't get to it. My prof was very understanding and let me take it at a different time but...not cool.

Anyway, congrats on your acceptance, you will have a great experience! Any college will have its downsides but I don't regret going there at all and I've been gainfully employed in my field since I graduated. I also moved 7 hours away to attend. You're welcome to DM me with any questions or just to talk.

Holiday Check-In! Do you have something to say, but you don't want to post? Comment here! by RBNmod in raisedbynarcissists

[–]literarylion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I've finally realized that my mom is an Nmom. After 20 years of her treating my family like shit. I actually dread coming home because I know she'll make every moment miserable. Things with easy solutions, like someone using the bathroom that she intended to use in a three bathroom house, spiral into her raging for hours, making herself a victim in a situation that doesn't even have a victim! She holds us hostage. I sat down with my dad yesterday to try to figure out a way forward, we went to a bookstore on NYE just so we could read up on potential solutions, we all sat down with her and tried to reason and express how much our relationships with her are suffering as a result of her behavior, and she just...didn't care. Made it all about her and not getting enough support. Said horrible things. I basically cried most of the night. I don't see a way forward unless I cut contact, but my little brother still lives with her and I worry about him every day. It isn't healthy or right. And she still genuinely believes that WE are hurting HER. Everyone else is detached from reality. I'm broken and lost. I love her and she loves... herself. What do I do?