#treatment modalities

[kargmancenterforcommunitycar]

Behavioral health services in Dundalk, Maryland, offer a variety of approaches for residents seeking more comprehensive care. These services may include one-on-one therapy, group therapy, or family counseling, all of which work together to support mental wellness. The right treatment plan varies based on individual goals and the severity of the conditions being treated. Access to these services helps patients gain control over their mental health and develop a sustainable recovery plan.

[compayur]

Ayurvedic Treatments for Common Ailments

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic approach to healthcare. In this blog post, we will explore the different Ayurvedic treatments available for common ailments such as colds, flu, headaches, and stomachaches. 

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic approach to healthcare. In this blog post, we will explore the different Ayurvedic treatments available for common ailments such as colds, flu, headaches, and stomachaches. Colds: Ayurvedic remedies for relieving cold symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Here are some Ayurvedic remedies that you can…

[floofyfluff]

we're in this phase III trial of this thing that is soooooooo cool and i want to talk about it sooooo bad but 1. no. 2. no one will understand me if i do. 3. no.

but its so wild to watch disease processes go from totally untreatable to like. one time novel solution. in half of a lifetime. like from "not only do we not know why this is happening or how to stop it but i can tell you that you're just going to go blind," to "well if you come in and get this done every x weeks actually you will preserve most of your vision" to "actually maybe we can just do this one procedure and the thing that robbed 25% of your family of the ability to read by age 75 will simply not be a problem for you"

[the-aspen-grove]

*shakes a whole clinic and the very concept of time itself* I WANNA KNOW WHAT THE RESULTS OF MY NEUROPSYCH EXAM ARE, TELL ME ALREADY

[healthyboom]

Discover groundbreaking advancements in rehabilitation with our comprehensive exploration of rehab innovations. From cutting-edge technologies to pioneering therapeutic approaches, this in-depth overview delves into the latest developments transforming the field of rehabilitation. Explore how virtual reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence traditional therapy methods providing new avenues for recovery and improved quality of life. Learn about innovative techniques and interventions designed to enhance mobility, cognition, and independence for individuals with diverse rehabilitation needs. Join us on a journey through the forefront of rehab innovation, where science, technology, and compassion converge to redefine possibilities in rehabilitation.

[medicalcommunitypsychotherapy]

In mental health, finding effective therapeutic approaches in psychiatry in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is crucial for holistic well-being. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and understanding the diverse range of therapeutic approaches available can empower individuals on their journey to recovery.

[roserockortho]

Dr. Williams is ecstatic to be practicing in Enid and sharing his passion for creating beautiful, healthy smiles in Northwest Oklahoma.

Dr. Williams is an orthodontic specialist. This means that he has completed several years of specialized training in orthodontics following dental school — braces and Invisalign are all that we do at Rose Rock Orthodontics! This allows Dr. Williams and his team to be experts in orthodontics and stay up-to-date with the latest technology and research. You or your child will see Dr. Williams at nearly every appointment, and our knowledgeable staff will keep you updated on the progress at each appointment.

Dr. Williams is trained and certified in multiple techniques and treatment modalities, including traditional metal braces, Damon self-ligating braces, clear (ceramic) braces, and Invisalign clear aligners.

Read more Visit Us — Meet Dr. Williams

Contact Us - 580-540-3211

Address - 2510 W Chestnut Ave Ste A, Enid, OK 73703, United States

Visit Us — Rose Rock Orthodontics

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Codependent Characters

Codependency

The state of being mutually reliant (e.g., a relationship between two individuals who are emotionally dependent on one another).

A dysfunctional relationship pattern in which an individual is psychologically dependent on (or controlled by) a person who has a substance use or non-substance-related disorder (e.g., alcohol use disorder, gambling disorder).

Signs of Codependency

Some things found to correlate with codependency include (Marks et al., 2012):

Low self-esteem

Low levels of narcissism

Familial dysfunction

Depression

Anxiety

Stress

Low emotional expressivity

Other signs of codependency (Lancer, 2016; Mental Health America, n.d.):

Having a hard time saying no

Having poor boundaries

Showing emotional reactivity

Feeling compelled to take care of people

Having a need for control, especially over others

Having trouble communicating honestly

Fixating on mistakes

Feeling a need to be liked by everyone

Feeling a need to always be in a relationship

Denying one’s own needs, thoughts, and feelings

Having intimacy issues

Confusing love and pity

Displaying fear of abandonment

Differentiate between a Healthy & a Codependent Relationship

In a healthy relationship, both individuals have a sense of autonomy and independence. Both are able to maintain their own identities while still being connected to their partner.

While in a codependent relationship, one person may sacrifice their own needs and wants in order to please their partner, or they may become overly enmeshed and lose a sense of self.

Additionally, in a codependent relationship, there is often an imbalance of power, with one person being overly controlling or dominant.

Overcoming Codependency

Research has been conducted into group, individual, and family therapy modalities for overcoming codependency, with one systematic review showing a significant reduction in symptoms when long-term post-intervention follow-ups were conducted (Abadi et al., 2015).

The main emphasis of these various treatment modalities is on altering how the codependent person views themselves and their relationships.

This can involve interventions with various (or numerous) goals:

Building Self-Esteem. Low self-esteem is a well-established symptom of codependency (Cermak, 1986; Whitfield, 1991). Building the codependent person’s self-esteem is a main focus of many counseling interventions, with evidence supporting their efficacy (Abadi et al., 2015).

Improving Boundary Setting. Weak or unclear boundaries are another reason codependent people are often willing to compromise their personal needs and happiness to satisfy a partner. Interventions aimed at building self-awareness, self-expression, and communication skills can help an individual’s ability to set and enforce healthy boundaries (Abadi et al., 2015).

Encouraging Self Care. Boundary-setting is just one form of self-care. People with codependent tendencies can also benefit from learning to prioritize their self-care, needs, and happiness before taking care of others (Beattie, 2008).

Originally, “the term ‘codependent’ described persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person” (Lampis et al., 2017).

A psychological construct involving an unhealthy relationship that people might share with those closest to them.

It was originally thought to involve families of substance abuse but has since grown to include other types of dysfunctional relationships.

Modern understandings of codependency: “a specific relationship addiction characterized by preoccupation and extreme dependence—emotional, social and sometimes physical—on another person” (Lampis et al., 2017).

The concept of codependency does still apply to families with substance abuse issues but is also used to refer to other situations too.

The main consequence of codependency is that “[c]odependents, busy taking care of others, forget to take care of themselves, resulting in a disturbance of identity development” (Knudson & Terrell, 2012).

To sum up, codependency is a psychological concept that refers to people who feel extreme amounts of dependence on certain loved ones in their lives, and feel responsible for the feelings and actions of those loved ones.

Codependency is not recognized as a distinct personality disorder by the DSM-5.

That said, research shows that while codependency does overlap with other personality disorders, it appears to constitute a distinct psychological construct. The best way to learn about codependency is to review some signs of codependency (examples above).

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[fulltre]

MASSAGE İSTANBUL 34

Are you ready to elevate your relaxation experience to new heights? Welcome to Massageistanbul34, your premier destination for rejuvenating full-body massages in İstanbul. At Massageistanbul34, we believe in the transformative power of touch and the art of relaxation, offering tailored massage services that cater to your unique needs. Whether you prefer the serene atmosphere of our spa or the convenience of a massage in the comfort of your home, our highly skilled therapists are dedicated to providing you with an unparalleled experience.

Full body massage İstanbul

Experience ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation with a Full body massage İstanbul that caters to your individual needs. Our highly trained and professional therapists utilize a combination of techniques designed to relieve tension, improve circulation, and enhance overall well-being.

Personalized Experience

Convenient Options Available

If visiting a spa is not feasible, don’t worry! Our Massage İstanbul at home service allows you to enjoy the benefits of a full body massage in the comfort of your own space. All you need to do is book your appointment, and let us take care of the rest.

Don’t wait any longer to indulge in the luxurious experience of a full body massage. Contact us today to schedule your appointment at Massageistanbul34, and unlock a new level of relaxation and wellness!

Massage İstanbul at home

Experience the unparalleled convenience of enjoying a rejuvenating full body massage İstanbul experience in the comfort of your own home. Our dedicated team at Massageistanbul34 is committed to bringing the professional spa experience right to your doorstep, ensuring you can unwind without ever having to step out. Whether you're in need of relaxation after a long day or a special treat for yourself, we provide tailored massage therapies that suit your unique needs and preferences.

With our home service, you get to select the ideal time and ambiance for your massage session, from soothing music to your favorite scented oils. Our skilled therapists are fully equipped to create a tranquil environment, allowing you to drift into a world of relaxation as you enjoy a potent blend of techniques aimed at easing tension and revitalizing your spirit.

Don't let your busy schedule stop you from treating yourself. Massage İstanbul at home not only saves you time but also offers a personalized experience designed particularly for you, making it a perfect choice for individuals and couples alike. Our therapists are trained in various modalities to ensure every session addresses your specific discomforts.

Book your session today with Massageistanbul34 and take the first step towards transforming your home into a serene wellness retreat. Indulge in the luxury of quality massage therapy at home and discover how easy it is to integrate relaxation into your daily life.

Massageistanbul34

At Massageistanbul34, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional services that cater to your relaxation and rejuvenation needs. Our expert therapists specialize in a variety of techniques, ensuring that you receive the highest quality massage experience tailored specifically for you.

Whether you’re seeking a soothing full body massage İstanbul to relieve stress after a long day or looking for the comfort of a Massage İstanbul at home experience, we are committed to meeting your expectations. Our therapists are well-trained in both traditional and modern massage techniques, allowing for a personalized experience that works best for you.

Convenience is key, and that's why our mobile service allows you to indulge in luxurious treatments without needing to leave your home. Imagine enjoying the tranquility of a full body massage İstanbul session in the comfort of your own space, tailored to fit your schedule and preferences.

We invite you to experience the difference at Massageistanbul34, where relaxation meets professionalism. Don't wait any longer—book your appointment with us today and take the first step towards enhancing your well-being and tranquility.

[cosmereplay]

Kaladin Didn’t Invent Therapy (And Why That’s Actually Great)

“...You need someone to talk to, Noril, when the darkness is strong. Someone to remind you the world hasn’t always been this way; that it won’t always be this way.” “How do you … know this?” Noril asked. “I’ve felt it,” Kaladin said. “Feel it most days.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25 Devotary of Mercy

I’m writing as someone with a background in psychotherapy and peer support, and I'm bursting with excitement about one of my favourite topics. You can imagine why I love Kaladin’s arc in Rhythm of War so much! I actually yelled out loud when I read some of these parts the first time.

I’ve seen people online saying and making jokes that Kaladin invents therapy, and while that could eventually be true, what Kaladin actually invented in RoW is mental health peer support. Psychotherapy as most people would understand it simply doesn’t exist yet on Roshar. However, peer support is a legitimate modality for healing on its own merits. Even more importantly for the story, peer support is something Kaladin would personally really benefit from, and it fits his narrative arc way better than therapy would.

1. Therapy as we know it won’t exist for a while yet.

“We need to study their responses, use an empirical approach to treatment instead of just assuming someone who has suffered mental trauma is permanently broken.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25 Devotary of Mercy “Someone needs to talk to them, try different treatments, see what they think works. What actually helps.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25 Devotary of Mercy

Obviously, Kaladin has not been educated in battle shock or melancholia or any other diagnosis. In Alethkar there's hardly any knowledge to be had on the subject. Even now in real life, research into effective interventions for various diagnoses is still ongoing, over 100 years after modern therapy was founded.

Building an empirical knowledge base* will take time, not to mention the years it will take to train new therapists across Roshar in how to provide interventions specific to various issues. Therapy as we know it today generally includes time in mentorship with another therapist, so in a way, the first therapist isn't a therapist. 😅 In the meantime, there are people who need help today, including Kaladin.

Peer support can fill that gap because its knowledge base is different. Peers bring their expertise, which is their years of trial and error, successes and failures - their lived experience. Peer facilitators need to know the basics of managing a group, and they have to be willing to share their own experiences and learn from the group. Thus, training peer leaders is relatively quick, and incredibly scalable and adaptable across cultures and many issues/diagnoses.

2. Peer Support is a distinct path to recovery that doesn’t require an expert in therapy.

Kaladin located six men in the sanitarium with similar symptoms. He released them and got them working to support each other. He developed a plan, and showed them how to share in ways that would help...Today they sat in seats on the balcony outside his clinic. Warmed by mugs of tea, they talked. About their lives. The people they’d lost. The darkness. - Rhythm of War, Ch. 33 Understanding “While you can’t force it, having someone to talk to usually helps. You should be letting him meet with others who feel like he does.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25, Devotary of Mercy

Kaladin is already positioning himself to align with the values of peer support. Some of these values overlap with therapy, such as dignity, respect, inclusion, hope, and trust. What makes peer support different is a particular emphasis on equal relationships, self-determination, and personal growth (Peer Support Canada, 2022).

In peer support, the group facilitator is not considered an authority like a therapist would be. A peer leader may be further on the road to recovery, but they may not be. They are expected to listen and grow just like any other group member.

Because the leader of the group is also a learner, peer support groups tend to be more collaborative and open-ended. Everyone in the group has something they can take out of it and something to give. Everyone in the group is responsible for managing their own self care, and everyone in the group is responsible for the direction of their own growth. This is different from most therapy groups, which often have a specific focus or goal that the therapist is responsible for implementing. And speaking of responsibility...

3. Peer Support Fits Kaladin’s Narrative Arc Better than Therapy

At his father’s recommendation—then insistence—Kaladin took it slowly, confining his initial efforts to men who shared similar symptoms. Battle fatigue, nightmares, persistent melancholy, suicidal tendencies. -Rhythm of War, Ch. 33 Understanding …he’d learned—these last few months—that his battle shock could take many forms. He was getting to where he could confront it. -Rhythm of War, Ch. 39 Invasion

I think everyone can agree that Kaladin needs to participate in therapy just as much as the other battle-shocked men he finds in the Devotary of Mercy.

However, in therapy, the focus is solely on the needs of the clients. A therapist should not be distracted by their own issues (when this happens, it’s called countertransference). Further, therapy is generally framed such that the therapist is the only expert in the room, which means therapists have a higher level of responsibility for how the clients are doing (which varies depending on the issue, the therapy modality, and the circumstances).

In his own recovery, Kaladin is working on trying to take less responsibility for others, so setting him up as a therapeutic authority could be harmful for him. In a position of authority, he might be tempted to replicate the hierarchical structure he was in before (which would impede his own growth), or try to save everyone (which could impede everyone's growth). He simply doesn’t have the mentorship or knowledge base he'd need to work through those issues before leading as an expert.

In contrast, the point of peer support is the mutual sharing of lived experience. The group facilitator is expected to share their own struggles (as a model of recovery), and allow others to support them. In the context of a more balanced power dynamic, Kaladin can give the other group members the space they need to grow, and he can pursue his own recovery without feeling like he’s letting others down. Also, he will be able to leave the group during KOWT without worrying that the group won't be able to run without him. Everyone in the group carries some responsibility for each other, so group members can come and go with less stress than a change in therapist would cause in group therapy.

This is the beauty of peer support. It can happen anywhere people with similar experiences get together. No formal education is required. What is required is a willingness to know yourself as well as you can; to share your experiences; to listen to others tell their stories; to question your own assumptions as you learn how others handle things differently; to look out for each other's safety; to care.

Peer support creates a place of belonging and a community repository of shared wisdom. Kaladin almost had it on Bridge Four, but his position of authority wouldn’t allow him to grow the way he needed. Peer support is what Kaladin needs - he needs a place where he can take off his armour among people who get it because they're struggling with similar issues, and without having a position of responsibility over them. When he (eventually**) attends the groups, they help him grow!

Anyway, that's why Kaladin didn’t invent therapy, and why I think that's great.

For the men chatting together softly, the change was in being shown sunlight again. In being reminded that the darkness did pass. But perhaps most important, the change was in not merely knowing that you weren’t alone—but in feeling it. Realizing that no matter how isolated you thought you were, no matter how often your brain told you terrible things, there were others who understood. - Rhythm of War, Ch. 33 Understanding

---

*Funny enough, empirical research could lead Rosharan researchers right back to peer support. Empirical research on Earth has shown that modern therapy and peer support have similar levels of effectiveness (for example, for depression and PTSD).

**Look who’s resisting attending the groups he founded…KALADIN!! (shakes fist in the general direction of the sky) (This is the most relatable passage for me in this whole book, by the way, helper types unite lmao):

Kaladin looked down at the table. Had it? Had talking to Noril helped? “He’s been avoiding joining in,” Teft said. “I haven’t,” Kaladin snapped. “I’ve been busy.” Teft gave him a flat stare. Storming sergeants. They always heard the things you weren’t saying. - Rhythm of War, Ch. 38 Rhythm of the Terrors

Peer Support Canada. (2022). Peer Support Core Values. Accessed from https://peersupportcanada.ca/ Jun 27, 2022.

[maaarine]

The Heteronormativity Theory of Low Sexual Desire in Women Partnered with Men

"Since the birth of the twins, Denise felt a great sense of loss after leaving her previously rewarding job, James’ work increased in duration to compensate for the shift in income, and Denise’s identity as a mother superseded any sense of herself as a partner or lover.

She lost desire for sex and for James completely and perceived his requests for sex as intrusive; they were yet another demand placed upon her following a full day of devoting herself to her two demanding children who slept no longer than 4-h intervals through the night, even now at 22 months old.

James withdrew from childcare and household chores and activities, in part due to exhaustion following his 14-h work days and in part to “punish” Denise for withholding sex from him.

She resented him for expecting that she would be the sole caretaker for their children, and lost attraction for him as he increasingly retreated to online gaming late at night after the twins were asleep.

(…)

And yet, as they went to leave the end of their first session with the therapist, James turned to the provider and asked, point-blank, whether she thought that “the female Viagra” could help solve their woes.

This case study is one example of the issues plaguing perceptions of low sexual desire in women partnered with men.

That is, while James and Denise’s situation seems an obvious example of contextually-determined low desire, James ascribed the problem to a biological dysfunction in Denise’s body.

The idea that low desire rests in the individual reflects an essentialist view of sexuality that has been advanced by the medical field for decades and cogently critiqued. As such, James’ reaction is not particularly surprising or uncommon.

(…)

But why have essentialist, medicalized views of sexuality come to monopolize how people understand low sexual desire?

One argument is neoliberal—that locating the problem of low desire in individuals’ bodies has high financial stakes.

Naming low desire as an individualized biological dysfunction creates a demand for biological (i.e., medical) solutions; thus, pharmaceutical companies stand to gain by selling a “treatment.”

(…)

It reflects what has become a suspiciously common pattern in women’s relationships with men more broadly, where a woman’s sexual desire disappears and/or becomes “too low” and then is deemed a dysfunction within the woman.

This pattern is suspicious because the numbers of women reporting low desire are so high that they might be modal, if not ordinary; and, they are certainly too high to reflect individual pathologies within individual women’s bodies.

It is also suspicious because many women who report low sexual desire describe considerably similar interpersonal problems with their men partners.

Thus, while low desire is likely not an individual problem within Denise’ body, the issues and inequities it results from are also likely not an individual problem within James or the interpersonal dynamics of James’ and Denise’s specific relationship.

Instead, we turn to a structural level explanation: gender norms, following other foundational work.

(…)

Desire is often situated as low because of its relative status to a partner’s level of desire.

Interestingly, however, this is not a gender-neutral process and the bound is often set with the man partner as reference point.

Accordingly, when a woman experiences lower desire than a man partner, her desire is often labeled low.

In the converse situation, however, men are still the referent: in the case of a man reporting lower desire than a woman partner, the woman’s desire is labeled too high (e.g., they are labeled insatiable or “sluts” in negative ways), rather than the man’s desire being labeled too low.

This highlights the gendered subjectivity inherent to conceptualizations of low desire, where low desire is most often seen as residing not just in bodies, but in women’s bodies relative to men’s desires.

(…)

In Prediction 2.1, heteronormativity’s inequitable casting of women into a caregiver-mother role to men partners contributes to the women’s lower desire.

While heteronormativity slots women into nurturant caregiving roles in general, this caregiving is also directed at men partners specifically.

Nurturance—warm, loving, and caring treatment—is a critical aspect of long-term and/or successful relationships, but one inequitably shared between women and men in relationships with each other.

Heteronormative asymmetries in caregiving can matter not only because they are inequitable, but because they translate into dependencies that contravene contemporary norms of relational interdependence.

Interdependent relationships involve a mutual ethic of care, with partners supporting each other simultaneously or sequentially, akin to a something like a mix of equals, friends, and sexual partners.

The gender inequities inherent to heteronormative framings of complementarity violate norms of relational interdependence, transforming expectations of a partner–partner relationship into something closer to one that is caregiver-dependent or mother–child.

Women end up doing many of the same things for their men partners as mothers do for their children, e.g., reminding them of chores, organizing social events (or playdates), buying clothes, ensuring there is food for snacks and meals and that these are made available.

Additionally, women often take on tasks for their husbands or other men partners that were originally performed by the men’s mothers, perhaps an implicitly-held leftover from more historical understandings of marriage.

(…)

In Prediction 3.1, the heteronormative push for women to focus on their appearance, especially during and in reference to sexual activity, contributes to their low desire.

Heteronormativity focuses on women’s sexual appearance over their pleasure, socializing women to be sexy rather than sexual.

It positions women as sexual objects for men partners, and women’s bodies as offerings gifted to men for sex as part of a relationship contract.

This can result in sexual objectification.

The internalization of this objectification—sexual self-objectification—means that women’s desire is often contingent upon whether they think they are desirable.

(…)

Penetrative intercourse is painted as the only version of “real sex” within heteronormativity, but women have a low likelihood of experiencing orgasm (a highly pleasurable experience) with penetrative intercourse.

Heteronormativity means that, though women may want to be sexual, even with men partners, they are often taught that they can’t be in the ways that are more likely to feel pleasurable for them.

This ongoing separation between experiences of desire and sexual pleasure may dampen desire because it is not reinforced or followed up by sexual activity that actually leads to sexual pleasure.

In Prediction 4.3, seeing sex as a duty to perform with men will contribute to lower desire in women.

Some women have sex they want, and some women have sex that their men partners want and that the women are open to.

But a number of women (and almost no men) have reported in a nationally representative survey that they engaged with sex because it was part of their job, a duty or obligation of being married, which is a heteronormative hallmark.

“Duty sex” is not very sexy, and people—including men—report losing sexual interest in this situation, as occurred in our case study above.

(…)

Moreover, that low desire is seen as a medical and health issue could make for a circular association between it and chronic stress.

Women come to know their desire as “too low” and report feeling like failures as women and partners, making for an iatrogenic source of chronic stress.

Locating the “problem” of low desire in women’s bodies and minds ultimately places the responsibility for it on women, arguably a form of gaslighting when the problem exists outside women and will not be fixed with individual effort.

This can exacerbate women’s stress, by placing yet another responsibility on their shoulders but one that is impossible: to fix their desire problem by fixing themselves, when they are not the problem."

[compayur]

How to Manage Chronic Illness: A Holistic Approach for Lasting Wellness

Chronic illnesses are long-lasting health conditions that require ongoing management to enhance the quality of life. Examples include diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and heart disease, among others. While there may not be a definitive cure for some chronic conditions, adopting a comprehensive approach can significantly improve symptom management and overall wellness.

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging, affecting both physical and emotional well-being. This comprehensive guide presents a holistic approach to managing chronic illnesses, combining the best of modern medicine and traditional Ayurvedic concepts. Before implementing any of these suggestions, it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized…

[secularprolifeconspectus]

adult women have a heartbeat too, until they are driven to suicide by anti-feminist forced-birthers.

Normally I'd just delete boring asks from genocidal forced-stillbirthers. However, this pro-abort has made a pervasive claim that needs to be debunked. Let's break this down.

1) Weird of you to assume I think heartbeats are what make humans people. In fact, if YOU think that's true, it's just another example of the capitalist mindset of pro-aborts that humans must be able to "produce" some kind of proof of their humanity to "earn" their basic rights. People are not defined by productivity.

2) Of course I care about women with heartbeats, just as I care about every other human life. Had you read my FAQs as instructed, that would have been obvious to you.

3) THIS is the claim that deserves to be tackled: that women are driven to suicide due to lack of access to abortions. You're gonna need to dig up some evidence to prove that is true, because the studies I've reviewed actually state the opposite. Take the Turnaway Study, for instance, which found that 96% of women denied abortions did not regret not getting one. Or this Finnish study, that found that teens who aborted were twice as likely to die by suicide as teens who birthed live children. Did you know that when abortion is illegal, women rarely die? The most common cause of maternal mortality is suicide due to post-partum depression, which we have no reason to believe is caused by women not wanting their babies. It baffles me that so many pro-aborts talk as if feticide is an evidence-based standard of treatment and therapeutic modality for mental illness. If women were actually being driven to suicide that would be a serious concern, but as far as I can tell, this is just fearmongering about an imaginary problem while ignoring the actual lived experiences of real women. Typical!

4) Anti-feminist? Clearly you didn't even skim the table of contents for my blog, because you would have found this post on why pro-life parallels feminism, as well as how abortion exploits women.

5) And apparently you also have no idea how elective induced abortion works, because if you did, you'd know that every procedure forces the birth of a dead baby, either whole or in pieces. Go to abortionprocedures.com and educate yourself. Also, check out this thread of abortion pill victims. Abortion is LITERALLY forced birth.

6) Let me again emphasize how BORING this comment is. Absolutely inane, cliché, unoriginal, overused, washed-up, and banal. Next time, present me with a unique account of fetal non-personhood. Fetuses are people are I am very confident that you can't prove otherwise.

[hellopersimmonpie]

Update Skincare

Sejak treatment ADHD, rutinitas gue sehari-hari jauh membaik. Gue bisa rutin pake skincare, rutin minum vitamin dan belajar tidur lebih awal.

Karena gue udah bisa membangun rutinitas, gue jadi mulai berani menyisihkan modal untuk merawat kulit dengan lebih baik. Problem kulit gue tuh kering dan sangat kusam. Gue pengen kulit gue kelihatan bersih dan sehat. Lantas apa aja skincare routine yang gue lakuin?

Cleansing

Gue rutin double cleansing. Pake apa? Kalo seharian makeupnya ringan, gue pake micellar water. Ntar kalo agak berat, gue bersihin pake cleansing balm. Micellar water gue pake merk random aja yang kelihatan di supermarket. Sementara cleansing balm-nya pake Heimish.

Setelah pake micellar water atau cleansing balm, gue bersihin muka pakai facial foam. Facial foamnya pake Cerave yang Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

Exfoliating

Gue awalnya cukup bingung milih exfoliator. Sekarang, gue rutin pake Some By Mi yang Bye Bye Blackhead seminggu dua kali. Dulu di hidung gue tuh sering banget ada komedo. Sejak dua bulan pakai Some By Mi, komedonya ilang dan kulit muka berasa lebih bersih.

Moisturizing

Untuk moisturizing, gue mulai dari toner sampai moisturizer. Tonernya gue pake Dear Klairs yang Unscented Supple Preparation Toner. Abis itu dilanjut pake serum Fresh Herb-nya Nacific dan dilanjut moisturizer dari Nacific juga. Kalau siang, gue tambahin sunscreen dari Biore. Nacific tuh cukup jarang muncul di iklan sih. Tapi surprisingly cocok banget di gue.

Retinol

Gue udah mulai masukin retinol di rangkaian perawatan w. Saat ini, gue pake retinol dari Votre Peau. Khusus retinol ini masih dalam proses pencarian juga sih dan karena itu termasuk active ingredients, gue nggak berani pakai sering-sering. -

[gatheringbones]

[“When I first came out as a lesbian in 1971, identity politics were so pervasive that this modality didn’t even have a name; it was simply the sea in which every queer sank or swam. One of the key assumptions of identity politics is that we can reveal in one grand social drama of coming out the absolute inner core of truth that makes up one’s “real self.” Coming out is seen as a process like peeling away the layers of an onion or the petals of an artichoke. Identity politics also assumes that your political allies will have to be people who share your identity because nobody else could understand your oppression or really be committed to fighting it; that people who share some aspects of your sexuality but not others are either afraid to come out or traitors to the cause; that it’s not possible for someone to change the way they label themselves without being dishonest or cowardly.

Now I see queer politics quite differently. I know from personal experience that I can’t trust somebody just because their sexual preferences or their gender identity resembles my own. I know we can make allies who are indignant about injustice even if it does not impinge directly upon their own lives. I see coming out as a lifelong process that proceeds as I become ready to understand and accept aspects of myself which bear lessons I need to learn at different points in my life. Each new coming out does not recreate me as a whole new person; I think some people view it this way, but this is crazy-making and too compartmentalized for me. It’s more like being able to see each and every spoke of the wheel that makes up my being, or like opening up and furnishing another new room of my soul.

I wonder what coming out would be like if we were not forced into these defensive positions of tribal loyalty and us-them thinking. What if we could say to a friend who was embarking on a new coming out, “I love you, and so I must also love this new aspect of yourself. Because I care about you I want to know more about it. Let’s both learn from this.” Instead, what usually happens is a great deal of indignation, betrayal, and rejection. I think this is because a person who is coming out threatens the identities of former acquaintances, partners, and coworkers. If someone else’s identity can be fluid or change radically, it threatens the boundaries around our own sense of self. And if someone can flout group norms enough to apply for membership in another group, we often feel so devalued that we hurry to excommunicate that person. This speaks to our own discomfort with the group rules. The message is: I have put up with this crap for the sake of group membership, and if you won’t continue to do the same thing, you have to be punished.

We seem to have forgotten that the coming-out process is brought into being by stigma. Without sexual oppression, coming out would be an entirely different process. In its present form, coming out is reactive. While it is brave and good to say “No” to the Judeo-Christian “Thou Shalt Nots,” we have allowed our imaginations to be drawn and quartered by puritans. I believe that most of the divisions between human sexual preferences and gender identities are artificial. We will never know how diverse or complex our needs in these realms might be until we are free of the threat of the thrown rock, prison cell, lost job, name-calling, shunning, and forced psychiatric “treatment.”

I do not think human beings were meant to live in hostile, fragmented enemy camps, forever divided by suspicion and prejudice. If coming out has not taught us enough compassion to see past these divisions, and at least catch a vague glimpse of a more unified world, what is the use of coming out at all? I have told this story, not to say that anybody else should follow me or imitate me, but to encourage everyone to keep an open mind and an open heart when change occurs. The person who needs tolerance and compassion during a major transformation may be your best friend, your lover, or your very self. Bright blessings to you on the difficult and amazing path of life.”]

patrick califa, from layers of the onion, spokes of the wheel, from a woman like that: lesbian and bisexual writers tell their coming out stories, 2000

[barksenji]

I posted this on reddit, but I've seen some gnarly posts about Venezuela here, so I'll post it here too.

"I'll try to answer all of them. I don't know if I can explain like you're 5 because I'm autistic af and English is not my first language, but I hope I can make myself understood.

I condemn practically everything about the government. In Venezuela, on average, only four out of 10 operating rooms in the country's main hospitals are operative, and the shortage of supplies in emergency rooms is around 37%, while in operating rooms it reaches 74%. As for my own experience, I have Classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I had a shoulder subluxation and I still do, and I went to the Victorino Santaella hospital in my country, there's little personnel, to the point that in the area for traumatology you could see dry blood on the floor because there just wasn't enough people to clean it up. Not a little bit of blood, but a lot. If you want decent medical attention, you will have to pay a bunch of money.

I had a strangulated umbilical hernia, which again, is something that commonly happens with the EDS. My dad had to spend 4000$ dollars on the operation, which for us, is a unachievable amount of money. He had to sell his car, and beg his job for the rest of the money, because the car was old asf and only covered about 200$.

Many people say the government is progressive, it is not. In Venezuela the LGBTQ community has absolutely no rights, it's incredibly difficult for trans people to change their documents or access hormonal treatment. Abortion is not legal here, not even in rape cases, gay marriage isn't legal either, and domestic violence largely goes unpunished.

The minimum wage is around 3 dollars, my dad works in transit so he earns minimum wage, because I have so many medical emergencies he has to make illegal driving licenses in order for me to get treatment. It is incredibly hard for my mom to find a job.

If you want an overview of the whole political situation, this thread can explain it better than I can:

This also explains many of the faults with the government, really, there are too many, I can't count them all.

There’s also no freedom of speech in Venezuela due to Nicolas Maduro’s oppression. All the news channels that are available are on his side. CNNE was removed from Venezuela after doing a documentary on Maduro and also was DW. Our only way to inform ourselves are socials, and most venezuelans are speaking through there.

Maduro's government is not a socialist government anymore, it paints itself that way to outsiders, but it is not. Money that should be going to public institutions is not going to those institutions, hence why the hospitals are in such dire state and you have to pay for private clinics in order to get appropriate care. I don't know if you're familiar with the CLAP bags, The Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) is a distribution program of some basic imported foodstuffs promoted by the Venezuelan government since 2016 in which the communities themselves organized in committees supply and distribute priority foods through a modality of delivery of products, house by house at first, later distributed in a local of the community. The problem with these is that they're frequently infected with weevils, maggots, and even if they look "good" on the outside, they can be infected with bacteria and give you food poisoning. Worse is, some people are entirely reliant on these.

They're supposed to protect our indigenous people, but a Venezuelan indigenous leader who opposed the incursion of armed groups and illegal mining was shot twice while in a neighborhood in the capital of Amazonas state. Maduro is also the richest man in Venezuela.

In the protests that occurred in 2017, around 150 people died thanks to the armed forces and colectivos (paramilitaries on the side of the government), police came out with tanks (idk the name exactly in English) and ran over people who were peacefully protesting. Right now, I believe there has been 11 people confirmed injured, though there's probably more, since hospitals are asking for resources to treat the injured.

I think most of these payment methods are only available in Venezuela, but I saw a Paypal here and there, if you can help I'd thank you so much:

As for the self-sufficiency, I don't know. As I said, I'm 17 and heavily reliant on my parents. This country's also really not accessible for disabled people, I cannot go down stairs and have to walk with a cane, there's rarely a place where elevators are functioning properly: ironically, especially in hospitals. In the hospital Victorino Santaella, my dad has to carry me through a bunch of stairs, he has a bunch of hernias in his back so that's obviously no good for him. I'm also at heavy risk of fainting, so yeah.

Also: I don't know how the housing situation is in Venezuela statistic-wise, but for the young adults, is impossible to get a house. Houses can cost up to 100.000$ and more, the average job will pay enough for you to eat, buy toilet paper, basic needs and that's about it.

My friends, who were studying university, couldn't finish cause they had to get a job in a supermarket or bakery in order to be able to support their parent economically. It's horrible.

We also have no running water, when we do it's brown, our power goes off all the time and I have no health insurance"

Do I support María Corina? Or the opposition? I'm skeptical about them, they're still politicians, and Machado is a Zionist. I'm worried about idolizing these figures, deeply. But there's no alternative guys.

For gringos saying that we are supporting fascists, and whatnot. We have literally no other option. This didn't start with US sanctions, it just got WORSE with them. But these sanctions are a symptom, not the root of our problem.

Please, listen to venezuelan voices. If you're really a leftist, just a bit of research will be enough to convince you that this is NOT even a socialist government anymore.