#therapy is expensive but reblogging is free

[the-weird-kids-next-door]

please :’]

reblog to give streber therapy

[properbastard]

[ rambling ahead:

I've been playing BG3 and while I borrowed the name for my Tav from a previous D&D character I made, I was struggling with the idea of whether or not her name (Mirri) was her given name or if it was just a nickname that she preferred to go by. And some part of it would be backstory relevant--she's been disowned by her family, accused of abandoning her Elvish principles and culture to pursue wickedness (she's a warlock), and so, as an act of self-love and to divorce herself from the anguish of her past, she abandoned her given name, going only by the name she chose for herself, a nickname originally that fits her better than the longer, more "formal" name.

And this is a trope I've explored before. It's also something close to the chest. My full given name is Samantha, but I never, ever refer to myself that way. I'm Sam. I've always been Sam. I've occasionally been called a variation of that--Sammy--but, from the moment I learned how to talk, I always, always introduced myself as Sam.

There's nothing wrong with Samantha. I think it's a pretty name all on its own. But it's my "formal" name. It's the name my parents call me when they're angry. It's the name I have to put on legal documents. But it's not the name I sign. It's not the name I introduce myself as.

I've seen the quote that floats around sometimes that says "Give your daughters difficult names. Names that command the full use of the tongue." and I'm well aware that my name doesn't really fit that concept. But some part of me, the part that is Sam and not Samantha, wonders what these daughters might choose to call themselves. People change the names they were given by their parents for a thousand different reasons--they're trans or nb and their deadname is just that--dead. Their parents were abusive and they don't want to carry that. The name was, frankly, awful. The name just didn't fit. The new name they found fits them so much better.

I like the idea of Mirri having a name that isn't hers. A name that her mother gave her, one that was proud. One that was long.

A name that she gave back when her mother slammed the door in her face. But I like the idea that she named herself. That Mirri is the name she chose, the name she chose when the other one, the one that commanded the full use of her tongue, was just the one that belonged on a legal document.

Exploring the idea of the person you are when you are on your own for the first time is fascinating and yeah, I might be projecting onto this character, but what good are characters you can't stuff with your own insecurities and ideas? Therapy is expensive.

[dovesndecay]

It's June! It's Pride! It's (my) Birthday!

The Introduction Spiel:

Hi, I'm Reyah! (any pronouns! no really, go for it!) On June 21st, I'm turning 32, an exciting and mysterious age to be!! (So I've heard)

Warning: This is a post asking for financial help, and if there's one thing I would ask is that if you read the whole thing: please reblog.

I'm a multiply-disabled queer person of color, a writer, artist, and photographer. I live with three of my best-good-pal-friends, (@renthony, @kryptidkhaos, and @natalieironside) and our collective army of pets.

We all know it's damned hard to be all these things at the same time under the capitalistic hellscape we're living under, and we/I am always in need of a lot of help with the existing.

I ended the month of May with some smaller bills left still to pay, but am thankful to say that June already had fewer bills than usual due, and the amount I need to start the summer off right is actually less than I was afraid it would be! Woohoo!

What I Make

I mentioned my artistic endeavors, let me show you them!!

Writing

I write less often than I'd like, but I share poetry and shorts, when I have them, on my Patreon!

You must be over 18 to pledge, as I have, can, and will again share Adult Content occasionally. Patrons pledging at least $1/month get access to all content. But most posts becomes free to access eventually. :)

When I do longer form content, I primarily write fantasy with a focus on queer brown characters with disabilities, mental illnesses, and disordered attachments. Because therapy is expensive, and writing is free.

Photography

I do wildlife and landscape photography, primarily, but you can also check out my portrait and event work on my website! You can purchase PRINTS HERE.

And because it's my birthday, I'm offering a 32% discount code for all my prints! The code is good from June 1st to July 1st!

A Note, if you purchase a print: first off: thank you. (please feel free to send a photo of wherever you display it!!!) secondly: this will not go towards the received totals on my financial need because Pixels doesn't pay out until nearly 2 months after the purchase. Funds made from sales will go towards future needs.

CODE: PDHHTR

Artwork

I've been exploring art, both analog and digital, a lot more lately, and have shared both process photos and final drafts on Patreon! Here are just a few examples:

I admittedly don't post on patreon as much as I wish I had the energy to, but I try to make at least one thing a month, provided I have the spoons and time.

Creativity is, like, a level 5 spell slot when you're disabled and impoverished, and I appear to have exactly One (1) of those available at any given time.

The Needs:

The Bills: $1,100

Yeah, we had to get here eventually. Since this post is already pretty long, I'm putting the rest under a cut.

More than half of this, as always, is just for the car payment and insurance that keeps the regular day-job-haver getting to said job, and all our medical appointments, errands, etc.

I still owe around $13,000 total on Johnny Car, but I think we all know that's just not a real number.

The rest of the funds would go toward paying the small subscriptions, for my various medications, and the regular attempts to whittle away slowly at the $4,300 worth of other debt.

($2,200 of back taxes, and $2,100 of credit card debt, and gods, do I mean slowly. Interest piles up so much faster than I can seem to whittle.)

If you're able and willing to help with paying the bills, direct donations can be made here:

PayPal | (link)

Venmo | (dovesndecay)

Cashapp | ($dovesndecay)

If you can, and only if you can.

The It Would Be Cools:

Since every dime that comes in goes primarily towards food and bills, there's little left afterward to be put towards other life necessities like clothes, toiletries, let alone things I just think would be nice/neat/nifty to have.

I have a High Priority wishlist. It's mostly art supplies, bulk toiletries, etc.

I'm woefully low on clothes, being short, fat, and trans, so very little of what I own actually feels good to wear so much as it simply covers my body. I have a wishlist of clothes that would be nice to have.

For everything that firmly lands under the "I just want it" category, I have an Enrichment list. It's mostly stuffies, but also games, room decor, hobby supplies, books, and stim toys.

Our household keeps a big wishlist for things we need, want, groceries, accessibility products, and everything in-between.

Okay, now what?

Well, now, I'm gonna ask that if you got to this point, and if you can't/don't want to do any of the things listed above, then please reblog this post.

The more people that reblog it, the more likely I'm able to pay my bills for one more month this year.

But if you don't, it's not like anyone's gonna know. I'm not omniscient, I swear.

Anyway, I don't expect anyone to do anything if you can't or even if you just don't wanna, but if you can and you're willing to, it means the world.

I didn't think this is where I'd be at 32. But I never really expected to get here at all in the end, and it's a lot nicer than I thought it would be. Mostly because I am surrounded by amazing people who have the capacity to be so much kinder than I will ever have the words to describe.

Thank you, and to all, a happy pride!

🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Helping Hand 7

Warnings: non/dubcon, mentions of divorce, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

Characters: Jonathan Pine, 40s reader

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

You sit in the sterile waiting room, slouched like a guilty dog as you stare at your scuffed work shoes and cradle your arm. It feels heavier by the moment, the tenderness only growing, and a regrettable crack sounds as you try to shift it. You grunt and teethe down on your pain. Jonathan looks at you but says nothing.

It feels surreal, sitting there beside him, waiting on a doctor. This isn't how you saw your day going. But when did anything in your life go to plan? Twenty years of marriage flushed away for a younger woman and a midlife crises. Working a job meant for college students in your forties. It's all going just so spectacularly.

Your name is called before you can sink any further into self-pity. You get up but Jonathan doesn't follow. You're happy for that at least. He at least is aware of some boundaries.

It's a small office with only a few doctors. You're put in the room to wait some more and when the physician enters, she introduces herself as Dr. Marguerite Garcia. You try to smile and return her basic niceties. It's hard to focus on anything but the agony. She checks your chart and verifies your history before asking questions about your injury.

She nods and sets down her clipboard. "Do you mind if I do some tests? I'll need to feel your shoulder and move your arm."

"Yeah, that's fine. I'm pretty sure it's just a pulled muscle," you explain.

"Sure, but we should make sure," she nears and you sit up.

She lifts your arm and you squeak. She moves it slowly at different angles, feeling around your shoulders and back, then along your neck. Your eyes fill with tears by the time she lets you put your arm down.

"It would appear like a torn rotator cuff. I could send you for imaging to be sure but I'm fairly certain," she grabs the chart again.

"Really? What does that mean?"

"We won't go straight to surgery. Right now, we'll start with the basics; rest, ice, and physical therapy. I will have some exercises printed out for you to do, along with a link where you can find videos. If you like, I can write a referral to a therapist." She continues as she scribbles with her pen, "I'll send you off with some painkillers as well. You seem like you need the relief."

"Oh, thank you," you smile.

"And I'll get you into a sling. Just for a few days to take some of the pressure off."

"A sling?"

"It shouldn't be too much and it'll be a reminder for you to not use that arm," she girds. "Let me just go get that script filled and I'll have the nurse come fit you."

"Sure," you accept as you look down. Great, a prescription, how much is that going to cost you? And you highly doubt they're giving the slings away for free. Just another expense, just another step backwards.

💙

You get the bottle of pills before the nurse sees you. You take one for good measure as the throbbing overwhelms every other sense. Finally with your arm confined and a pocket full of painkillers, you're free to leave the office.

As you come out into the waiting room, Jonathan stands at the counter. He tucks something into his jacket pocket as he faces you.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Um, I think I have to pay for--"

"Already done," he interjects, "better get you home so you can rest."

"You paid? You didn't have to--"

"Please, it is nothing," he waves you off, "come. I'm sure all you want to do is lay down."

He isn't wrong and you're all out of energy. You're not going to argue with another man that day. You're going to let the pills kick in and leave the world behind.

You let him lead you outside and he opens the car door for you. You're not sure it's any sort of gallant behaviour, rather practical as you are down to a single arm. You get in and awkwardly pull the seat belt across you.

He closes the door as you jam the buckle into place and sit back with a sigh. You shut your eyes. You just can't wait to be home. Alone.

You sense the shift of weight as he gets in on the driver's side. He starts the engine as you stifle a yawn behind your lips and open your eyes, a swimming wobbliness in your vision. The pills are hitting harder than you expected. Well, you hadn't eaten much, just coffee and maybe half a cracker.

"You alright?" He asks as the car rolls into motion and you open your eyes.

"Great," you grumble and let your eyelids droop as your head drifts towards the window. "Tired..."

You watch the buildings pass, other cars stopping and skimming by. You lose yourself in the lazy traffic and the dimming blueness of the sky. Your lashes sink further and further, until they meet, and that hot fuzziness coaxes them together. The pain in your shoulder dulls, barely tugging at your consciousness as it fades away.

[laertesthelocalstranger]

Incorrect

Anything is silly if you giggle hard enough

[sottountrenopersherl]

Please try to help me🙏

by spreading my campaign because my situation is very difficult My daughter, Tulay, injured her neck during the war, and currently she cannot move it and needs physical therapy, because she did not respond to all the currently available medications. Physical therapy sessions with a private doctor here in Deir al-Balah cost me 20 euros daily, with transportation and medications . Also, my wife is pregnant and needs vitamins and Medicines, if available, are expensive. Also, I am currently without a job and there is no source of income. We live inside⛺ a tent that does not protect us from the heat of summer 🥵or the cold of winter🥶. My campaign has been verified by @beesandwatermelons ✅ , I ask you to try to help me, not for my sake, but for the sake of my child, who suffers daily from her pain, and I suffer daily whenever I see her in this difficult situation. I am ready to prove everything I mentioned above.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hcz2n6-help-my-family-fleeing-the-conflict-in-gaza

Please, reblog and donate if you can!

Free Palestine🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[copperbadge]

Radio Free Monday

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

Ways to Give:

goodbyeomelas linked to a fundraiser for their cousin, who recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and then shortly after laid off. She needs surgery and chemo, and help covering medical costs and living expenses for her and her daughter. You can read more and support the fundraiser here.

valkerymillenia is a carer for her disabled father and recently had to spend months out of work; she's back to work now but needs to raise funds for her father's diabetes medication and her own health issues, as well as food; you can read more, reblog, and find giving information here.

jeanninedupree linked to a fundraiser for Morganne, a former coworker whose father had a severe brain bleed and needed to be hospitalized; his FMLA leave is coming to an end and he will be without a paycheck as the sole provider for both of them. She is fundraising to cover mortgage and bills while he undergoes another round of surgery and therapy and she applies for disability. You can read more and support the fundraiser here.

Anon linked to a fundraiser for killiel, who needs help to cover bills and debt; you can read more, reblog, and find giving information here.

Recurring Needs:

Anon linked to a fundraiser for prototrans, a disabled artist who needs help with rent money; he is also offering commissions. You can read more, reblog, and find giving and commission information here.

Anon linked to karla-hoshi or Hoshi on TikTok, who is raising funds for cancer treatment for her cat Naku; they caught the cancer early and hope that he can survive it, but can't continue treatment without funding. You can read more and support the fundraiser here, as well as find links to her updates on tiktok.

chingaderita's partner recently lost their job due to a house fire that also destroyed the house; they're raising funds to keep food on the table, to try and get a supply of water to keep clean and do laundry, and for various bills until they can find new work. You can read more, reblog, and support the fundraiser here.

loversdoom is a college student from the Philippines, studying away from her family, and her parents are unexpectedly unable to support her education; she is in mounting debt and facing eviction from her dorm in her last semester of college. She's raising funds to repair her laptop so she can do her schoolwork and find a remote job that will help her pay rent, and to fund the remainder of her schooling. You can read more and reblog here and support the fundraiser here.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can post items for my attention at the Radio Free Monday submissions form. If you're new to fundraising, you may want to check out my guide to fundraising here.

[levikra]

SKETCHY COMMISSIONS OPEN!

Hi friends! I’m in the process of gathering funds for life expenses as I’ve moved closer to my family to undergo the last stage of my intensive cancer therapy before going on a 2-year plan for maintaining my remission!

Recourses have been scarce and I need to have funds by the end of this month (November as of writing this post) for rent. I have started a new job on the side to have stabler financially situation, but I’ll receive my first payment in December, which is a bit too late for me in terms of the timing.

If you’re interested in getting a commission - feel free to DM me!

If not but you’d like to help - please do reblog this post &/or share it with your friends, I appreciate any traction.

If you have any questions regarding the payment process, I’m more than happy to explain as well.

Thank you in advance ❤️

[kakashiweek]

Prompt Discussion - Recovery

Your only limit to interpreting our prompts for your own creations is your imagination! However, you’ve told us you enjoy these discussion posts as jumping-off points, and we are happy to oblige!

Please feel free to use any ideas sparked by these posts, reblog/reply/comment and build off them to help inspire yourself or others - or, of course, entirely ignore them if you’d prefer!

Recovery (September 17th - Day 8, Prompt A)

Now here’s something Kakashi has done a lot of in his time . . . although perhaps not enough in some ways, hm? Well! Let’s focus on what he’s done - or what we wish he’d had time for. . .

🍃 Has Kakashi gone flat from chakra exhaustion again? Has he returned battered and injured and needing some time in the hospital? 🍃 Or has someone he cared for? Did he haul back one of his students badly hurt and is now hovering guiltily as they heal? Is Kakashi also used to being on this side of things, or is it new and he’s finding he does not like it? 🍃 Is Kakashi finally going to therapy, which he has badly needed for decades? 🍃 Has Kakashi been dispatched on a very important mission to recover an expensive item, vital intelligence, or a missing person? 🍃 Is Kakashi going after something of his own that has gone astray - or, taken in a more abstract sense, is Kakashi trying to win back a friend or partner’s regard? Or someone else trying to recover his good impression of or feelings for them? 🍃 Take it on the sexy side and experiment with refractory periods, or recovering after a really good night (or day, or stolen moment. . .) with a partner(s) wearing him out or leaving him happily marked up? (Or a partner contemplating their lingering marks, soreness, weariness, and anticipation for next time?)

By the end of an event week we may all need a little recovery time! What sort of rest time (or struggle!) will you highlight?

❧ our 2023 Prompts  ☙  |  ❧ all Prompt Discussion posts ☙  

[transsolidarityproject]

HIV 101 & Resources

More than one million people in the United States have HIV, and thousands will die from AIDS-related complications this year alone. Support the project by reblogging or visiting transsolidarityproject.wordpress.com. Updated last: 12/3/2024

HIV MYTHBUSTING

Only gay men can get HIV! Although men who have sex with men have historically had higher infection rates, anyone can become infected with HIV - in fact, a growing number of new cases in the United States are heterosexual.

I'd know if I had HIV, duh. Most people with HIV don't experience major symptoms, and you can't tell someone has HIV just by the way they look. 1 in 7 people with HIV don't even know - which is why it's important to get tested regularly, especially if you engage with higher risk behaviors like being sexually active or using injectable drugs.

HIV will kill you! As long as you take your prescribed medication, people with HIV can (and do) live long, healthy lives just like everyone else. HIV only becomes deadly when left undiagnosed and/or untreated.

It's OK to have unprotected sex if both partners have HIV. Unprotected sex is still risky, even if all partners involved have HIV. This is because you can still get other STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis - and even other strains of HIV.

Birth control prevents HIV. Condoms and medications like PEP and PrEP are the only way to prevent HIV - birth control methods like the pill, IUDs, and implants do NOT prevent HIV or other STDs.

PrEP, PEP, and other medications are too expensive for me. Many US states and Canadian provinces cover PEP and PrEP for free or have assistance programs to make them free/affordable. Check your region's laws for detailed information or visit PrEPMAP.

---

What's the difference between HIV and AIDS?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most severe stage of HIV if unmanaged, which occurs when the body's immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. In the United States, most people with HIV do NOT develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine as prescribed stops the progression of the disease.

---

How is HIV transmitted?

You can only get HIV by coming into contact with certain bodily fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids are blood, semen (also known as cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

"Viral load" refers to the amount of HIV someone has, essentially. A detectable viral load means they have more than 200 copies of the human immunodeficiency virus per milliliter of blood, which means they will show up on an HIV test and can transmit HIV to others.

In contrast, an undetectable viral load is when someone has fewer than 200 copies per milliliter - and people with an undetectable viral load have a "zero risk," "effectively no risk," or "one percent or less" chance of transmitting HIV to other people even without regular precautions like condoms, PEP, or PrEP. You achieve an undetectable viral load by taking your prescribed antiretroviral therapy medication regularly.

HIV can not be spread by kisses, hugs, or sharing food. Some behaviors that put you at a higher risk of getting HIV include anal and vaginal sex and sharing needles, while things like kissing and oral sex have a statistically nonsignificant chance of transmitting the virus.

The only way HIV is transmitted from open-mouth kissing or biting is if both partners have broken skin since HIV is a bloodborne pathogen - which is why it's extremely rare and considered little/no risk by the CDC. Lastly, while having other STD/STIs or alcohol/drug use doesn't necessarily increase the risk of getting HIV, they're risky behaviors that generally correlate with increased HIV transmission.

via US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use the HIV Risk Reduction Tool to learn about your risk for HIV based on behaviors and practices.

---

Can I prevent HIV?

Yes! There are more tools than ever to prevent HIV. By learning methods to prevent HIV transmission, you're taking the first step to helping end the HIV epidemic. Some methods to prevent HIV transmission include taking PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) or PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), limiting needle and drug equipment sharing, getting regularly tested, etc. For US readers, visit HIV.gov for official HIV-related care and prevention providers.

Post-exposure prophylaxis, aka PEP, is an anti-HIV drug that is started within 72 hours after possible exposure to HIV. It's used in emergencies, like having a condom break during sex or sexual assault. PEP is taken for 28 days, and followed up with additional testing and labs for 3 months - and it's more effective the sooner it's taken after possible infection. In comparison to PrEP, PEP is like a "Plan B" for HIV meant for emergencies.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is an anti-HIV prevention drug that becomes effective after seven days of use. Unlike PEP, PrEP is best for individuals who have regular HIV risk, like people who have casual hookups, share needles, or don't consistently use condoms. When taken correctly, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99% and reduces the risk of getting HIV from sharing needles by 74%. As a metaphor, PrEP is similar to birth control and prevents HIV long-term like how the birth control pill prevents pregnancy. US readers can use the PrEP Locator to find PrEP providers nationwide, and NASTAD has information about whether non-providers (like pharmacies) can prescribe PrEP based on state or territory.

---

Who is at risk for HIV?

Anyone can get HIV since HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, age, or where they live. However, certain groups of people in the United States are more likely to get HIV than others because of particular factors.

According to the CDC...

The majority of new HIV diagnoses occur in the US South, in comparison to other regions like the Midwest, Northeast, West, etc. Nearly half of all new cases in the United States come from the South, while the Midwest and Northeast have the lowest rate of new diagnoses.

Men who have sex with men (MSM, queer men, bi+ men, and so on) account for 67% of new cases. 22% of cases happen from straight or heterosexual sex today.

7% of new HIV diagnoses come from people who inject drugs and share needles.

HIV disproportionately affects communities of color, too - 37% of new diagnoses are Black and 33% are Latine.

Most new HIV cases come from people between the ages of 25 to 34, and the second highest age group was those 24 and under - who made up 20% of new diagnoses in 2022.

---

How can I tell if I have HIV?

The only way to know for sure that you have HIV is to get tested. Despite what some may think, you can't "tell" if someone has HIV just by looking at them and most people with HIV don't experience major symptoms. 1 in 7 people with HIV don't even know they have it - which is why testing is so important. While it may be scary to get tested for HIV, HIV is not a death sentence - people living with HIV can have long, healthy lives just like people without HIV as long as they get connected with the tools and medications needed to keep their HIV managed. For US readers, visit HIV.gov for official HIV-related care and prevention providers.

---

How do I get tested for HIV?

Getting tested for HIV is just as important as getting a regular check-up - people can only start HIV treatment if they know they are living with the virus. The earlier someone is properly diagnosed with HIV, the earlier they can begin life-saving treatment to manage their HIV. People can (and do) live long and healthy lives with early HIV detection.

Remember: the only way to know for sure that you have HIV is to get tested. A substantial amount of people with HIV report having no symptoms - especially since the majority of symptoms early on in HIV infection are similar to the common flu. The CDC recommends everyone should be tested for HIV at least once in their lives, while individuals with additional risk factors (ex. queer or bi+ men, sex workers, people who share needles) should get tested at least once a year. Most people aren't recommended to get tested every three to six months unless they're at extreme risk for HIV. Getting tested is important in ending the spread of HIV, keeping people living with HIV safe and healthy, and protecting those you love from contracting HIV.

There are three types of HIV tests, which use either blood, oral fluid/saliva, or urine. HIV tests look for antibodies and antigens that your body will only produce if you have the human immunodeficiency virus - but it takes time for bodies to begin developing the antibodies and antigens after being infected, which is why there's a window period between contracting HIV and when it'll show up on tests. Some tests have smaller windows than others. The three types of HIV tests are...

ANTIBODY TESTS, which only check for HIV antibodies in your blood or oral/saliva sample. The majority of rapid HIV tests are antibody tests, as well as the only version of HIV self-tests approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. As a general rule, antibody tests that use blood from a vein have a smaller detection window than those that use saliva or blood from a finger stick.

ANTIGEN/ANTIBODY TESTS, which looks for both HIV antibodies and antigens in the blood. Antigens are a protein of the virus and show up much faster than antibodies, and antigen/antibody tests are the most common type of HIV test done in US labs.

NUCLEIC ACID TESTS, also known as NATs or viral load tests, detect the amount of HIV present in someone's blood - which is useful for monitoring the virus. NATs can detect HIV as soon as 10 to 33 days after infection, but they're more expensive than antibody tests or antigen/antibody tests - so they're used for monitoring HIV treatment more than they're used for general testing and screening.

HIV tests are widely available, and it's your choice whether you'd prefer to go directly to your normal doctor or healthcare provider - or if you'd rather get tested at a hospital, medical clinic, substance use program, or community health center. Visit gettested.cdc.gov to find an HIV testing site near you. And if going IRL isn't your style, there are also approved HIV tests you can do on your own at home or mail-in. Rapid self-tests give your full results in roughly 20 minutes, while mail-in self-tests are later mailed to a healthcare provider for greater accuracy. Together TakeMeHome is a program under the CDC to provide free rapid self-tests to anyone at least 17 years old in the United States.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I TEST POSITIVE? Your at-home or rapid self-test is positive if you have two complete lines - one next to the "C" and another (even a faint line) next to the "T." The presence of two lines means you may have HIV, and there are a lot of next steps - but first, take a deep breath and remember: you are not alone; medical treatments are available to help people live long, healthy lives; and having HIV does not mean that you have or will get AIDS. Learning that you may have HIV can be distressing, which is why OraQuick has a toll-free support line at 866-436-6527.

A clinic or healthcare provider will have to confirm your results, so you should visit a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If your results are confirmed, you'll be give resources and information about HIV medication, treatment, and management, as well as counseling, case management, and connections to HIV support organizations and tools. Healthcare workers are duty-bound to keep all your medical information confidential unless you give them explicit permission to share it - so no one (including your family or workplace) needs to know about your test or your test results.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I TEST NEGATIVE? Your at-home or rapid self-test is negative if you have one complete line - right next to the "C." To be negative, there should be no line (however faint) next to the "T." If your result is negative and it's been at least three months since your possible HIV exposure, you likely do not have HIV. Continue to maintain healthy and safe sexual habits like condoms and PrEP, and get tested as needed.

Remember that a negative at-home or self-test does not mean that you are not infected with HIV. Due to the window of time that it takes for HIV tests to detect HIV via antibodies and antigens, it's possible to get a false negative HIV test. ---

What are my rights regarding HIV?

Rights for individuals living with HIV vary drastically depending on where you live in the world. Due to stigma, people with HIV are discriminated against at work, at home, and at the doctor's office - knowing your rights is the first step in defending them.

In the United States, all individuals with HIV are protected by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which is enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights. These laws prohibit any anti-HIV discrimination by healthcare and human services agencies that receive federal funding, as well as any discrimination by state or local governments - including services, activities, or programs provided by state or local governments. Anyone can file a report with the Office for Civil Rights online or by mail.

While many US states and territories require you to disclose your HIV status, you're only required to disclose it to certain people. At the time of this article, thirteen states require you to disclose your status to potential sexual partners, while four require disclosure to anyone you share a needle with. Depending on the state, failure to disclose status can lead to life in prison. You do not have to disclose to anyone else - including your family or friends. While most American employers have the right to ask about your health in certain fields, you don't have to disclose to your workplace in most cases. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects you from anti-HIV discrimination - which means hiring managers can't ask you about your health and companies have to make reasonable adjustments as needed.

The Fair Housing Act makes anti-HIV discrimination in US renting and housing entirely illegal. No one can be legally denied housing, harassed, or evicted due to HIV status.

Also at the time of this article, people living with HIV cannot be denied healthcare in the United States. Healthcare insurance must cover pre-existing conditions like HIV and cannot cancel your policy because of a new diagnosis. The Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) prohibits such discrimination within healthcare, and HIV medications, lab tests, and counseling have to be covered.

---

HIV-Related Care Hotlines

GLOBAL 🇺🇳 AIDS Healthcare Foundation @ aidshealth.org / 323-860-5200 / International nonprofit based in Los Angeles that operates a network of HIV services in over 40 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. 🇺🇳 International Planned Parenthood Federation @ ippf.org / 202-987-9364 / Global healthcare provider that has been a leader in sexual and reproductive health for all since 1952. 🇺🇳 UNAIDS @ unaids.org / 41-22-595-59-92 / International agency that seeks to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and has operated since 1996 to assist the United Nations in combating HIV and AIDS.

NORTH AMERICA 🇨🇦 Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange @ catie.ca / 416-203-7122 / The primary national information and resource center on HIV, Hepatitis C, and substance misuse in Canada. 🇺🇸 CDC-INFO @ cdc.gov / 800-232-4626 / Live support to help Americans find the latest and reliable science-based health information, including CDC guidance and resources. 🇨🇦 HIV and Sexual Health Infoline Canada @ sexualhealthontario.ca / 800-668-2437 / Free anonymous telephone and instant message service available in English and French on sexual health topics. Advice and counseling can be available for any Canadian resident, although services are specified for Ontario. 🇺🇸 HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C Nightline / 800-273-2437 / US hotline providing support for people living with HIV or Hepatitis C as well as their caregivers. 🇺🇸 HIV Management Warmline / 800-933-3413 / Non-emergency telephone service for questions about HIV, antiretroviral therapy, HIV clinical trials, and laboratory evaluation in the United States. 🇺🇸 LGBT National Help Center @ lgbthotline.org / 888-843-4564 / Free and confidential peer-support, information, and local resources where volunteers help connect you to other groups and services in the US. Also maintains a coming out hotline, youth talkline, and senior hotline. 🇺🇸 National AIDS Hotline / 800-243-2437 / Federal hotline to refer the general American public to relevant state and local resources. 🇺🇸 National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project @ natap.org / 212-219-0106 / Nonprofit corporations in the United States that educates individuals on HIV treatments on the local, national, and international level. 🇺🇸 National Clinician Consultation Center @ nccc.ucsf.edu / 833-622-2463 / Teleconsultation resource that educates US healthcare providers with information and answers on HIV and Hepatitis C. 🇺🇸 NIH Office of AIDS Research @ hivinfo.nih.gov / 800-448-0440 / Confidential answers to questions on HIV/AIDS clinical trials and treatment in the United States. 🇺🇸 PEPline / 888-448-4911 / Hotline for individuals interested in information about PEP, especially those who have been possibly exposed to HIV while on the job in the United States. 🇺🇸 Perinatal HIV Hotline / 888-448-8765 / Resource hotline available 24/7 in the United States for pregnant people living with HIV to find answers and tools. 🇺🇸 PrEPline / 855-448-7737 / Hotline about how to start, continue, or manage use of PrEP for HIV within the US. 🇺🇸 SAGE x HearMe @ sageusa.org / The United States’ largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ older people. SAGE now offers supportive services and resources through the SAGE x HearMe app, formerly known as the SAGE LGBTQ Elder Hotline. 🇺🇸 The Trevor Project @ thetrevorproject.org / 866-488-7386 / The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization centered on LGBTQIA+ young people in the United States. Offers 24/7/365 information and support to those ages 13 to 24 with trained counselors via call, text, or instant message. 🇺🇳 Trans Lifeline @ translifeline.org / 877-565-8860 / Transgender-centered crisis organization that does not use involuntary intervention/forced hospitalization to provide support to transgender people through fully anonymous and confidential calls within the United States and Canada.

LATIN AMERICA 🇯🇲 National HIV/STI Helpline @ hstu.moh.gov.jm / 876-536-9141 / Program under the Ministry of Health and government of Jamaica to implement and support HIV/AIDS response in the nation.

EUROPE 🇩🇪 AIDS-Hilfe Helpline @ aidshilfe.de / 0180-33-19411 / Telephone counseling provided via the telephone that answer provides information in Germany on HIV/AIDS. 🇷🇺 HIV Hotline @ стопвичспид.рф / 8-800-555-49-43 / Hotline operated in conjunction with Russia's STOP HIV/AIDS campaign to answer questions about HIV. 🇫🇷 Sida Info Service @ sida-info-service.org / 0-800-840-800 / Free confidential telephone service for anyone in mainland France or in affiliated overseas departments to get information regarding HIV. Callers from outside France should dial 00-31-1-41-83-42-77. 🇬🇧 Terrence Higgins Trust @ tht.org.uk / 0808-802-1221 / Telephone and live chat service for individuals residing in the United Kingdom seeking support and information about HIV.

ASIA 🇭🇰 AIDS Hotline / 852-2780-2211 / Counseling staffed by trained nurses for information about HIV and testing in Hong Kong. 🇮🇱 AIDS Task Force @ aidsisrael.org.il / 03-5619900 / Telephone and WhatsApp service for individuals in Israel seeking support and resources about HIV and AIDS. 🇭🇰 Gay Men HIV Testing Hotline / 852-21171069 / Free anonymous and confidential HIV testing service provided in Hong Kong by appointment and telephone. 🇷🇺 HIV Hotline @ стопвичспид.рф / 8-800-555-49-43 / Hotline operated in conjunction with Russia's STOP HIV/AIDS campaign to answer questions about HIV. 🇮🇳 National AIDS Control Organization Helpline @ naco.gov.in / 1097 / National Indian helpline that provides counseling and awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and education. 🇵🇭 National HIV and AIDS Hotline @ pnac.doh.gov.ph / 02-8651-7800 / National telephone support line for HIV and AIDS information in the Philippines, provided by the Department of Health and Philippine National AIDS Council. 🇹🇷 Positive Living Association @ pozitifyasam.org / 0216-418-10-61 / Support line in Türkiye to make up-to-date information about HIV accessible and connect people with relevant testing and prevention services.

AFRICA 🇳🇬 AIDS Helpline / 234-01-772-2200 / Toll-free hotline system for accurate and up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. 🇺🇬 AIDS Information Centre @ aicug.org / 256-39-3101893 / Healthcare network that leads HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and counseling throughout Uganda. 🇿🇦 National AIDS Helpline @ lifelinesa.co.za / 0800-012-322 / Emotional support counseling for HIV/AIDS in South Africa. 🇰🇪 National HIV and AIDS Helpline @ nhcsc.nascop.org / 0726-460-000 / Hotline operated by the National HIV Clinical Support Center to advise individuals in Kenya about HIV/AIDS.

OCEANIA 🇳🇿 Burnett Foundation @ burnettfoundation.org.nz / Free and confidential counseling for people living or affected by HIV in New Zealand, available by appointment. 🇦🇺 National HIV/AIDS Information Line / 1800-451-624 / Advice line that connects individuals to qualified sexual health nurses in Australia for confidential information about HIV, operated by the Sexual Health Info Link.

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HIV/AIDS Resources

GLOBAL 🇺🇳 Global Network of People Living with HIV @ gnpplus.net / Network operated by people living with HIV for people living with HIV, regardless of geographic location. 🇺🇳 International AIDS Society @ iasociety.org / Research-based organization that develops holistic approaches to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. 🇺🇳 International Planned Parenthood Federation @ ippf.org / Global healthcare provider that has been a leader in sexual and reproductive health for all since 1952. 🇺🇳 The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria @ theglobalfund.org / Worldwide partnership to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria and create healthy, safe, and equitable communities. 🇺🇳 UNAIDS @ unaids.org / International agency that seeks to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and has operated since 1996 to assist the United Nations in combating HIV and AIDS.

NORTH AMERICA 🇺🇸 AIDS Drug Assistance Program@ adap.directory / Patient-centric project that provides HIV-related services and prescription medication to hundreds of thousands of people in the United States by linking individuals with their local state or territory agency. 🇺🇸 Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team @ apaitssg.org / Grassroots AIDS service organization centered on Asian and Pacific Islanders with HIV, based in the United States. 🇺🇸 Bienestar Human Services @ bienestar.org / US community-based social services organization that caters to Latino Americans living with HIV, especially LGBTQIA+ Latino Americans. 🇺🇸 Black AIDS Institute @ blackaids.org / Think tank that aims to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Black American community through awareness messaging, information, and robust programs. 🇨🇦 Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network @ caan.ca / Agency in Canada that provides resources and tools to Indigenous and Aboriginal Canadians. 🇨🇦 Canadian AIDS Society @ cdnaids.ca / Grassroots network that leads community-based HIV/AIDS resources in Canada. 🇨🇦 Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange @ catie.ca / The primary national information and resource center on HIV, Hepatitis C, and substance misuse in Canada. 🇨🇦 Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network @ hivlegalnetwork.ca / Network that promotes the human rights of people living with HIV/AIDS across Canada, which includes legal representation and legislation advisement. 🇺🇸 HIV. GOV @ hiv.gov / Offers information about HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and resources for anyone in the United States. 🇺🇸 HIV.GOV Service Locator @ locator.hiv.gov / Location-based search tool managed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to allow anyone to find local HIV testing services, housing providers, health centers, PrEP, PEP, and other related needs. 🇺🇸 Latino Commission on AIDS @ latinoaids.org / Nonprofit organization in response to the critical unmet need for HIV prevention, treatment, and education in the Latino community in the United States. 🇺🇸 National Minority AIDS Council @ nmac.org / Advocacy nonprofit that provides training and resources catered to marginalized communities in the United States. 🇺🇸 National Native HIV Network @ nnhn.org / Indigenous-led network that mobilizes American Indians, Indigenous Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians towards community action. 🇺🇸 Positively Trans @ transgenderlawcenter.org / Program through the Transgender Law Center to support transgender people living with HIV in the United States. 🇺🇸 Positive Women's Network @ pwn-usa.org / Advocacy and resource organization for women living with HIV. 🇺🇸 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program @ ryanwhite.hrsa.gov / National services and resources for low-income individuals living with HIV in the US. 🇺🇸 TheBody.com Hotline @ thebody.com / News site based in New York that centers on publishing HIV-related information. 🇺🇸 The Well Project @ thewellproject.org / United States nonprofit that primarily supports women and girls living with HIV/AIDS.

LATIN AMERICA 🇺🇳 RedLA+ @ redlactrans.org / Network of organizations that focus on transgender people throughout Latin America, especially those who are living with HIV.

EUROPE 🇺🇳 AIDS Action Europe @ aidsactioneurope.org / Regional network of over 370 NGOs, national networks, and community-based groups to support legislation related to HIV/AIDS in 47 different countries. 🇺🇳 European AIDS Treatment Group @ eatg.org / Advocacy and research organization that responds to and develops HIV/AIDS-related initiatives. 🇬🇧 National AIDS Trust @ nat.org.uk / The primary HIV rights charity in the United Kingdom.

ASIA 🇺🇳 Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV @ apnplus.org / Peer-led organization that improves the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region. 🇮🇳 India HIV/AIDS Alliance @ allianceindia.org / Non-governmental organization that partners with various civic society, government, and community groups to support HIV prevention and treatment programs. 🇺🇳 Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association @ menahra.org / Network of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment organizations in 20 different countries across the Middle East and Northern Africa. 🇹🇭 MPlus Foundation @ mplusthailand.com / Community-based sexual health and rights organization based in Thailand that works to end HIV discrimination and transmission. 🇹🇭 Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre @ trcarc.org / Research organization and health clinic that serves individuals with HIV/AIDS in Thailand.

AFRICA 🇺🇳 African Network for the Care of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS @ anecca.org / Reproductive health organization that serves people living in Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, and South Sudan. 🇿🇦 Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation @ desmondtutuhivfoundation.org.za / Health organization that partners with various international research groups to develop community programs in South Africa. 🇺🇳 Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association @ menahra.org / Network of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment organizations in 20 different countries across the Middle East and Northern Africa. 🇿🇦 Treatment Action Campaign @ tac.org.za / Civic society organization based in South Africa that leads campaigns centered on improved healthcare for people living with HIV/AIDS.

OCEANIA 🇺🇳 Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations @ healthequitymatters.org.au / Federation of HIV and LGBTQIA+ organizations in Australia and Oceania that provides policy expertise and resource support. 🇳🇿 Burnett Foundation @ burnettfoundation.org.nz / Formerly known as the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa is a community-led response organization that tackles HIV throughout New Zealand. 🇺🇳 Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network @ psgdn.org / Collective between the countries of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga to advocate for the needs of people living with HIV, especially LGBTQIA+ people.

Enjoy this content and work? Consider helping out by sharing this blog or visiting transsolidarityproject.wordpress.com.

[it-wont-be-the-end-of-me]

((OOC: [TMA RP DISCORD SERVER]))

hello tumblr, i'm Nathan, but i prefer to be called Nate (he/it). 27 year old transgender queer in terrible need of therapy.

instead of serving cunt i serve Terminus and The Beholding. masochist and proud of it

i work as a programmer but fucking hell i hate that job and just want to rest. kind of a gamer, enjoy playing Phasmophobia the most (because i don't have enough of undead shit in my life, apparently); kind of an artist, mostly draw portraits

i'm from Norwich. moved to London, but this place is awful. everything's so bloody expensive. at least i work from home (1-roomed flat. sigh), that's a plus i suppose

no friends + no family members i keep contact with, i basically have no one to talk to, which is why this blog was created

feel free to bother me with messages, asks, long ass reblog chains, whatever, i'll be more than happy to interact with anyone else who isn't my cat (classic grey tabby, her name is Marie. she is my daughter)

OOC:

Blog run by @vampire-of-halogaland

Tags:

#nate's end's not near (rp) - in-character posts

#nate's cat pictures (art) - art of Marie. and more, possibly

#nate's stolen posts (rb) - reblogs

#nate's got mail (ask) - asks

#nate's decaying (ooc) - OOC posts

[shinebrightruby]

Hello,

My name is Mohamed Ashraf, and I am 20 years old. I am writing to you from a place of suffering, pain, and anguish...

My life was very normal and beautiful until war came and destroyed everything. Before the war, I had graduated from high school with a 90% average and enrolled in a Computer Science and Internet of Things program at the University of Gaza. However, my joy was short-lived as the war struck Gaza, destroying my university and my dreams along with it.

My father is 45 years old and worked as a sound director for Palestine Television. However, during the war, his work stopped due to the destruction of all the media outlets. My mother is 37 years old and had many dreams, but the war shattered all of them. My middle sister Hala, who is 17 years old, was supposed to graduate from high school this year, but the war deprived her of that opportunity. My younger sister Janna is 13 years old, and my youngest brother Adam is 10 years old.

Our suffering began from the first day of the war. We were forced to evacuate our home, which was destroyed, leaving us without shelter. My family and I fled from northern Gaza to the south, believing it would be a safer area as claimed by the enemy. However, there is no safe place in Gaza. We were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and the house we had moved into was hit. All my family members were injured, some severely and others mildly. My mother needs bone grafting for her fingers, and my father requires surgery for multiple fractures, nerve grafting, and physical therapy. My sisters need to have their scars treated and require medical care abroad. However, we need funds to cover all travel and treatment expenses.

We are now seeking the opportunity to live abroad after our treatment, but this is very costly. I urgently need your help to make our lives better and to help us forget the nightmare we are currently living. I want to provide my family and myself with a decent life and a better future. I believe that humanity and compassion still exist among you and that there are those who will respond to our plea.

My wish is to provide my family and myself with the life we deserve. Every donation, no matter how small, will have a significant impact on our lives. Your contributions will help cover all our travel and treatment costs.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my family and me during these difficult times. I believe that goodness still exists and that there are those who share our hope for a better life. Thank you for considering supporting us. I am grateful for any assistance you can provide.

I would be honored to help you and your family ❤ Guys, please help by donating at their GoFundMe page to help them and their family escape the genocide happening in Gaza; even the smallest amounts make a difference. 🇵🇸

Share, like, reblog

FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸

[voidofryu]

Please try to help me🙏

by spreading my campaign because my situation is very difficult My daughter, Tulay, injured her neck during the war, and currently she cannot move it and needs physical therapy, because she did not respond to all the currently available medications. Physical therapy sessions with a private doctor here in Deir al-Balah cost me 20 euros daily, with transportation and medications . Also, my wife is pregnant and needs vitamins and Medicines, if available, are expensive. Also, I am currently without a job and there is no source of income. We live inside⛺ a tent that does not protect us from the heat of summer 🥵or the cold of winter🥶. I ask you to try to help me, not for my sake, but for the sake of my child, who suffers daily from her pain, and I suffer daily whenever I see her in this difficult situation. I am ready to prove everything I mentioned above.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hcz2n6-help-my-family-fleeing-the-conflict-in-gaza

This is Mohammed's go fund me for him and his family. Please do your best in donating, sharing, or even engaging with this post so that it gains traction. It doesn't take much. Firstly, you can click on the link, and it will take you to the campaign itself. There, you can either press the donate now button or the share and copy link button to share the link to the campaign all around. You can also like and reblog this post so that more people can see this. Please help these Palestinian families find the peace and freedom that they need.

Free Palestine forever 🇵🇸 ❤️

[a-weird-cryptid]

As this year comes to an end, so does my little series about self diagnosing...

My opinion on "self diagnosing"

...and the nightmare of trying to go to therapy

[Part 3/3]

To understand why I care so much about this topic, please read the small introduction I made in Part 1, which also includes the disclaimer for this. Thanks.

Topics I talked about:

Part 1: Fakers

Part 2: The dos and don'ts of "self diagnosing"

Part 3: Pro/Con self diagnosing + Getting help

Pro/Con self diagnosing + Getting help

Table of content

Pros and Cons of self diagnosing

Getting help

My own experience

My current situation

What I've learned from all of this

Final words

(This is an extremely long post. If you're not interested in that, feel free to move on and/or skip parts of it.)

Pro/Con self diagnosing + Getting Help

We've finally reached the posts that I think is the most interesting to talk about. Since getting help and a professional diagnosis is something I'd always recommend if you have any kind of health issue, but I also know how hard this final step can be for some. Which is why I've decided to summarize this entire series a bit and include my own experience with self diagnosing.

Pros and Cons of self diagnosing

Yes, yes, I know that I basically talked about most of those points already. But I still wanted to bring them up, for anybody who hasn't read the other parts of this series. Or alternatively, just wants to have a simple list. Of course I will miss some points here and there, so feel free to add something via reblogging or similar. Let's start with the pros before moving on to the cons.

Pro self diagnosis in no particular order

Feeling good about having an explanation of what's wrong (might ease your mind)

Engagement with (online) communities of the mental health issue, for support and validation

Self-help/improvement based of freely available resources

Saves money and time

Potential access to jobs, insurances or similar that would be denied with a diagnosis (discrimination)

It can be very hard to find a licensed professional with an expertise of and experience with the mental health issue

Better understanding of own self and more reflection about their (mental) health

Good first starting point

Doesn't cause as much potential stress as seeking out a professional diagnosis could

Potential more understanding from friends, family, or others

Con self diagnosis in no particular order

Misdiagnosis and resulting bad self treatment (potential worsening of mental health issue)

Self doubt and imposter syndrome

Exclusion from (online) communities of the mental health issue, because of no professional diagnosis

Stigmatization and discrimination based of self diagnosis

Lack of support and accomodations needed

Misrepresentation of the mental health issue

Spreading of/learning misinformation

Using the self diagnosis as an excuse for bad behavior (consciously or subconsciously)

Taking away necessary resources from professionally diagnosed people by accessing their accomodations

Glorification/romanticisation and minimization of serious symptoms

Getting help

Getting help for any kind of health problem can be a difficult task. You might underestimate the severeness (1.) , not notice the symptoms early enough to get quick treatment (2.) or have commonication issues with (mental) health professionals (3). You might feel too ashamed to seek out help, feeling like you're just being dramatic or like you're taking away resources from others... Feeling like you're not deserving the support given. (4.) Besides those reasons, fear and stigmatization of others can also play a huge role. Especially with mental health issues. (5.) Or you might get discriminated because of you being part of a minority group. (6.) You may not be taken serious by your family, your spouse, or even your doctor. (7.) The treatment given might be too expensive for you to get, essentially bankrupting you. (8.)

Those are just some of many examples why people might struggle to get help. And they're all valid reasons and feelings. I know how it's like to be in those situations, which is why I tried to come up with ways to get over some of those issues. But once again I want to make it clear that I'm NOT a doctor of any kind. Take my advice with a grain of salt.

1. When it comes to underestimating issues, I usually advice to better be safe than sorry. No, this doesn't mean you should immediately rush to the hospital or something when you cut your finger, or you need to go to a doctor if you have a slight cold. But when it comes to mental health issues specifically, most people can benefit from therapy. Someone who recently lost someone, for example, may still need support to get over it. So don't be scared or think you're mental health is not bad enough to seek out (professional) help. Even if said is just a crisis hotline or similar.

2. Early prevention can be crucial when it comes to physical health, but also mental health. The earlier trauma, for example, gets treated, the better. But how can you know if it's time to seek health? My advice: As soon as you notice any significant change in your behavior, feelings, etc. that lead to a worsened experience of life. Sure, you might "just" have low self-esteem issues. However, they can quickly turn into something way more serious, such as suicidal thoughts.

3. Success communication between you and your (mental) health professional is another thing that can be hard. Personally, I also struggle with this a lot. Something that might help is to try to communicate via another way. For example, trying to write your issues down instead of saying them out loud. Perhaps having another, trusted person talk for you could help, or maybe their presence alone with you in the room makes you feel comfortable enough to talk about your issues.

4. I know a lot of people see getting help for mental health issues, or even physical health issues as a sign of weakness. But honestly? I think admitting that you can't handle something on your own and seeking out help is one of the bigggest sign of strengh someone could show. There's nothing to be ashamed off or embarressen about.

Yes, some people can act overly dramatic and in a really attention seeking way sometimes. But sometimes, them acting "overly dramatic" could be a sign of a serious underlying mental health condition. So you're still justified to seek help, even if you think you're just being "dramatic".

If you genuinely believe you suffer from a mental health condition, you have every right to seek out help. No, you're not taking away ressources from others. And yes, you deserve any treatment or help you get.

5. Mental health issues and psychology were always faced with a lot of stigmatisation or worse. And they still do till this day. Denying that fact would be foolish, but so would not getting the professional help you deserve.

Because of that, I think the decision if you want an official diagnosis or not should be up to you. Unless you're extreme severely affected by your mental health issues (for example: someone with a severe anxiety disorders obviously needs more support than someone with a minder one.) and/or you're not capable of making the decision.

Questions to ask yourself are: How would I benefit from an official diagnosis? What accomodations could I get from one? Do they overweight the stigmatization and discrimination I will potentially face?

6. I've heard of many stories in which people got discriminated by mental health professionals or similar, because of the way they look and/or them being part of a minority group.

On one hand, I can't stand the people who go "doctor shopping". Continuously going to another psychologist or similar to get the specific diagnosis they want, ignoring what all of the other mental health experts said before (aka something that is very common for fakers to do).

On the other, I think it's totally legit to get another expert's opinion or go to another one, because you notice your current one isn't doing their job right and help you. If you can't get along with a mental health professional (and they judge you solely based of the way you look/you being part of a minority group), I think it's absolutely reasonable to go "doctor shopping" until you find the right one to help you.

Some examples of this, that I've heard about:

trans people not being taken serious, because being trans is being "confused about one's gender", which causes your mental health problems. When it reality it's gender dysphoria.

people with darker skin colors being seen as "overly dramatic"

people with alternative style automatically being seen as "TikTok fakers", even if that's not the case

That being said, if you get multiple expert opinions (let's say about 3 different ones) and they all agree that you don't have what you think you have, they're most likely right. As the saying goes: "Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern."

7. This is already a bit covered by point 5 and 6, however I have one thing to add, still: If you don't get support from your family, because they don't believe you or similar, you don't have to rely on them. If you're already an adult and independent, this of course is easier than when you're a minor. However, they're still many potential ways to help yourself. Here are some of them:

Try to get teachers/other trusted adults involved

If you have a school psychologist, counselor, social worker or similar, it might be a good first step to ask them for help. They might be able to further help you, by directing you to (other) mental health professionals and they might be able to negotiate between you and your family.

Ask your friends for help (they might go to therapy themselves and give you connections)

If possible in your country, take matters into your own hands and make the different appointments yourself.

Try to get help via non-profit organizations or similar.

8. Now this is a point I don't know much about. Since here in Germany, health care is mostly covered by your insurance, which you MUST have by law. However, I've heard they're some things that might be worth looking into, if you struggle financially and can't afford professional help/a diagnosis. Such as taking part in a university study about a specific mental health issue. For further help with that, I recommend doing your own research or, alternatively, look it up on Reddit, as dumb as it sounds.

My own experience

I've mentioned my own experiences with mental health many times before, but some might be surprised to hear that I have self-diagnosed myself with something at some point in my life as well. This is a story not many know about. Not my family and nor most of my friends. But I've decided to share it to give some insight as to why anyone would self-diagnose.

To summarize:

I struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember. I never understood why, but I always felt like something was off about me and that's why everybody bullied and/or excluded me from everything. I always had bad social skills, amongst many other issues, but was never capable of putting it into words. I struggled emotionally and had a lot of sleep issues as well, but I was met with no support.

I passed my early school years without any effort, despite the fact that I was in a toxic friendship for 2 of those years. Nonetheless, all of that has lead to my self-esteem being extremly unstable. And my only sense of worth came from my achievments, especially my grades.

During 2016-2018 I suddenly got overwhelmed by all of the school work I had to do to keep up with my peers. I managed, but it lead to a severe burn-out that still persisted way into 2019. Which was by far the worst year of my life. I won't go into details, but know that a lot of bad things kept happening to me during that time, including the loss of two pets.

I was already burned-out during that time, so my mental capacity for anythig was already low to non-existent. So it was no wonder that I started to become extremly depressed and suffered from self-harming behavior, as well as suicidal thoughts. My family doesn't take mental health serious at all, so when my grades started to get worse all they saw was a "lazy child". And I fully believed them, blaming myself for my "laziness" and lack of motivation for anything. Including things that should have given me joy.

My support network outside of my family wasn't too great either. I had my friends, yes, but when it came to actually helping me, most found themselves too overwhelmed (I can't blame them). And I didn't feel safe enough to talk to teachers, since another student of my class suffered from self-harm as well and she got involuntaraly hospitalized. Which I didn't want to happen to me.

My self-esteem was at an all time low and I was in desperate need for someone, anyone, to validate my feelings and make me feel less lonely. I wanted someone to care so desperatly, that I would have taken any support I got... Which is when I stumbled over a YouTube video from one of those "animated life stories-channels". It mainly focused on a mental health issue (spoiler, it was not depression) which I somewhat related to. So, in desperate need for community, I self-diagnosed with it.

I started to tell myself lies until I started to believe they were true, joined some internet groups related to it and of course spend a lot of time "researching" (watching more YouTube videos) about it. Thankfully though, I never made it public (until now). But it did start my interest in psychology, that I still have till this day.

Enter 2020 and the start of the pandemic. Still believing in my self diagnosis, I decided to download TikTok at some point. And, as you can imagine, it didn't take long for the algorythm to pick up on my depressed feelings. I quickly "forgot" about my previous self-diagnosis and self-diagnosed with depression instead. One of the only few mental health issues I believe I genuidly had/have.

2020, surprisingly enough, became one of the best years of my life. I acknowledge that this year ruined the lifes of many, but for me, lockdown was the single best thing that could have happened to me during that time. I didn't realize how much social expectations and school was ruining me, until I didn't have either. Finally I had the time to work on my mental health issues without any pressure. Finally it was acceptable to not socialize and focus on myself for once. Finally grades weren't a thing to worry about. It took me a lot of time and effort, but I finally had the time and means to put my shaddered pieces together again. I found a lot of new hobbies and interests and honestly? I feel like I socialized more than I ever did before. Just digitally. My mental health was at it's peak... but this break from "normal life" had it's prize...

My parents started to argue almost all day, every day. Especially during the evenings, I found myself unable to fall asleep because of my mom and dad shouting at each other constantly. It wasn't unusual for them to lash out on me either, when I accidentally became part of ther arguing. I tried to avoid being at home as good as I possibly could, but in the end it didn't help much. I was stuck, physically and mentally, between two fronts of a "war". And the only way to cope, and keep healing from 2019, for my brain became to dissociate... Like, a lot. I had a bunch of derealization and depersonalization episodes. Some of which triggered long forgotten memories from my early childhood in which my parents also argued in, amonst other things I would have rather forgotten about for good.

Combining that with me using TikTok and it's no wonder that I self-diagnosed with DID at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. I didn't lie to myself as much as I did with my first real self-diagnosis. But deep down I knew I was just roleplaying as different peaople. I prefered to be the childish Lucy, the protective Terra or the kind Destiny over "being Reagan". It was my escape during a time in which I didn't have any other way. "My parents don't argue with me, but with Terra. She can handle that. I can't." was my mindset.

Thankfully though, I snapped out of this self-diagnosis after just a few months, roughly after the summer holidays in 2021. When I finally found new friends and suddenly had an extremly good support system. For the first time in a long time, I found myself happy. And my, still undiagnosed, depression got better.

Skipping foreward to 2022 and after the summer holidays. School more or less was back to normal at this point and I found myself struggling to adapt to that sudden change. My class started to heavily exclude me from everything they did without a good explenation, including the few friends I had in it. And my previously big friend group started to have a lot of drama and split up completly.

My mental health got worse again as 2023 started. And this time, I wanted to go to therapy more than ever before. It wasn't the first time I've decided to seek out help. Just a year previously one of my teachers send me to our school's social worker so she could support me further, without any results. (That's a story for another time.) But it surely was the first time I took the initiative and decided to activly seek out help... But every attempt to do so once again failed. My house doctor not taking me serious and blaming literally all of my problems on my diet didn't make it any better. (Another story for another time) I felt like a soldier in the trenches. Never knowing what bad thing will happen next, anxiously waiting. It was a nightmare to try to get professional help, aka go to therapy. Especially because I didn't know where to even start. But thankfully, things turned for the better after the next summer holidays.

My current situation

I finally got rid of my previous class this school year. Thankfully... Looking back, the only way I can describe my old class is as a huge "social experiment". They're a lot of things that got me to this conclusion, but those are once again stories for another time.

This change gave me the possibility to connect to my remaining friends better and to find a lot of new ones on the way. Not gonna lie, after my previous big friend group shattered, I never believed a new one would form. But here I am, with over 10 people I hang out with in school and sometimes even outsite. Finally I found a group of friends in which I feel home again. Finally I don't have the feeling that I have to constaly put on a mask and pretend to be someone I'm not. (One issue I, in hindsight, even struggled with in my first big friend group.)

My interest in psychology is still as strong as it was all those years back (2019 was almost 4 years ago... Like... WHAT?! ...Geez... It feels like yesterday.) It was quite a journey, but I'd say every step I took on my way was worth it. Just like the saying goes: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Because I already covered most mood disorders, eating disorders (more stories yet to be told, hurray!), dissociative disorders and so on, I've decided to take a closer look at neurodevelopmental disorders about 5 months ago. And not gonna lie, I think I might have found the "missing puzzle piece". I started to relate to many autistic experiences. Even more so, the more research I did (using the methodes I've talked about in my previous "chapter"). I activly tried to find as many cons as possible, that would speak against me being on the spectrum, which eventually led to my now almost 20 pages long pro/con list.

Heck, I even decided to ask my friends about their opinion and most agree there's a high likelihood. Even more so since many of them are either neurodivergent as well (a few even professionally diagnosed) and like-minded people tend to find and stick to each other. When indirecly questioning my mom about autistic traits during my childhood, she pointed out many things that were "odd" about me.

And recently, after going to a lecture about neurodivergency made by my school, we found out she was neurodivergent for sure. (My mom has a form of synesthesia) Plus my mom started to be convinced that my dad at least has subclinical traits of autism. If I got a penny for every time somone suspected my dad was autistic, I'd have two pennies. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. (The first time one of my friends asked if my dad's autistic.

What I've learned from all of this

I feel fairly confident about my self-suspected autism. I might be utterly wrong, yes. But I'm open to finding new answers that fit better. Especially because of my experiences with mental health and self-diagnosing. So far though, it's the best explenation I was able to find. And the copeing skills based of that self-suspicion helped a lot to improve my life in the last few months. Just like my self-suspected alexithymia, depression and insomnia did.

I looked into getting professionally diagnosed, but there isn't really a need for it so far. Especially considering a lot of problems I could facce in the future because of a professional diagnosis. So I've decided to only get one if the pros overweight the cons and I find myself in an all time low again.

Final words

I don't judge people for trying to find answers to what's wrong with them, since I'm in the same boat. And I would never, ever, judge anybody for using their available ressources to help themselves or others. However, I do judge those who decide to speak for a group of people without an official diagnosis. Especially if they're spreading misinformation, stigmatization and/or romantisize serious issues. I think self-diagnosing in particular has brought a lot of issues into mental health communities and we need to work together to tackle them. But I don't see self-diagnosing as a strict black and white thing either. I believe that there are a lot of things we need an open conversation about. One in which we, as part of the mental heath community, need to listen to each other without immidiate judgement. Feel free to use this little mental health series to do so. I encourage you all.

If any of you have questions or want to hear more stories of my life, feel free to ask away. That's all I have to say for now. Thanks for reading. :)

Part 1: Fakers

Part 2: The dos and don'ts of "self diagnosing"

[copperbadge]

Radio Free Monday

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

Ways to Give:

Anon linked to a fundraiser for littlestpersimmon, an indigenous trans man who has struggled to support himself and his family this year and has been taking commissions to cover the gap. You can check out some of his work here and read more and find commission/giving information here.

Anon linked to a fundraiser for Nisha, whose father was recently hospitalized with a brain infection and now has neurological issues that require a home nurse, as well as new medications and physical therapy; Nisha has had to stop working to help care for him. You can read more and support the fundraiser here.

coffeecocoatea-me linked to a fundraiser for a friend, actor and audiobook narrator Umi Markkanen, whose cat Blondie recently had to go to the emergency vet for sudden health complications; they had thought her pet insurance was current but it had been cancelled in October despite ongoing payments. You can read more and give to the fundraiser here.

Malcolmschmitz recently rescued an older kitten from a parking lot, and is fundraising to cover the unexpected costs that go along with rescue, including food and litter, rideshares to get the kitten to a foster home, and other expenses. As part of his fundraising, you can purchase a copy of his new book "The Cats and the Cockatrice", a novella about a plague doctor veterinarian and unruly cats. You can read more and reblog here or purchase the book here.

Anon linked to a fundraiser for bakchang, whose cat Ellis just had cleft lip surgery; he's recovering nicely but the surgery was costly, and they're hoping to raise some funds to help cover it. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here or give through Venmo at lucifer_mp3 or Cashapp at $lucifermp3.

Anon linked to the St. Louis Zoo and its Zoo Parents program, which allows you to "adopt" an animal to help pay for its care and feeding. They're recommending support to adopt an Hellbender, under "Reptiles and Amphibians" at the adoption link. Adopters' names do appear on the website but you can designate that you wish to be anonymous.

Recurring Needs:

thegeeksqueaks is a high school science teacher (who has fundraised previously for supplies and comfort items for her students, particularly her neurodivergent and queer students) who has been seeking a diagnosis for ongoing migraines, vertigo, and head pain for most of the year; she now has a diagnosis and a procedure date, but needs to raise $1.5K to cover the post-insurance payment estimate. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here, give via Paypal here, and give via Venmo here.

rilee16 is raising funds to cover utilities, to afford medication and possibly an upcoming move without local support; they've also had expenses related to a recent incident where their roommate, who has been a problem for some time, got violent and the police got involved, and for their own safety they've had to stay elsewhere at times. Currently they are dealing with a shorted paycheck and an overdraft because of it. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here.

gwydion linked to a fundraiser for a friend, whose dog Rosie needs medical care, dental work, and special food; you can read more and give here at gofundme.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can post items for my attention at the Radio Free Monday submissions form. If you're new to fundraising, you may want to check out my guide to fundraising here.

[nixxy-can-draw]

he's baby, your honor

~~~

no reposts or discourse

pls reblog i crave attention

xchara aint mine lmao

i should be finishing my classes not drawing one of my comfort characters aasjg,kufdq,way t ,k qf,u,i