18 Comments
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Amber Groomes,Ph.D. (she/her)'s avatar

Great metaphor! I’ve never thought of it like this, but it totally works.

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Thank you so much!

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LittleBirdWing58's avatar

My psychiatrist listens to me when I’m feel a bad time on the way. I’m fortunate that he is able to give me the treatment that works in the rough times. Yesterday, my dog was laying in the sun spot on the floor. I lay down beside her. The happiness I saw in her face was real. We watched the spiderwebs sparkle like rainbows outside the door. The wind chimes were nice in the cool breeze. The last few months have been hard for me. I feel happy, I went for a walk this morning.

Planted some flowers this afternoon. 💕

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

This is a beautiful-written meditation, and a perfect example of a team: the wind chimes, your dog, the psychiatrist, the flowers you planted, the spiderweb, the sun. May you continue to find contentment and peace.

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LittleBirdWing58's avatar

Thank you. I wish the same contentment and peace for you.

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Jeff Feldman, MSW, LSW's avatar

I love this idea of Dog's Guide to Feeling Better! As a dog dad, I'm looking forward to reading more.

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you being here!

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Dawn Levitt's avatar

I wrote something today about my own depression. I refer to it as a "flu of the spirit." Sometimes all I can do is provide symptom relief until it passes.

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Did you publish it on Substack? I'm not seeing it, so if you haven't yet, I look forward to reading it when you do.

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Dawn Levitt's avatar

Yes. Here's the link if you would like to read it.

https://open.substack.com/pub/dawnlevitt/p/why-do-i-bother-writing-poetry-when

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Yes, thank you!

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

I look forward to reading your post. "Flu of the spirit" feels spot on to me.

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Kaarin Marx Smith's avatar

This is one of the best essays I've seen on depression. It hits the motherfucker where it hurts -- by calling it out and giving people some language to use when it strikes its ugly head -- but also the practical advice of seeing a therapist. Thank you!

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Thank you so much for reading and commenting - and for editing my posts before they hit the presses! You make DLG better!

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Argyle's avatar

This is great. Thanks for sharing. I agree with Judy, the comparison is right on.

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Thank you!

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Judy Jennings's avatar

Like the comparison of depression with a river fluke! Perfect, thank you.

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Chloe Ackerman, PsyD (she/her)'s avatar

Thanks so much! I've used this metaphor with my clients for years. I told a friend about it recently and she said I needed to write it down. "Chloe," she reminded me, "you write a mental health blog." Well, here we are!

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