[Espadimelo792]

Hello. I tried to get an appointment at my local mental health clinic, but the waiting list was like a mile long, and they said it could take literally a few weeks to get an appointment. I feel like I need the counseling due to my anger, depression, and occasional suicide ideation, but it's just not available right now . Then I thought, "You know, even if I did go to therapy, all the therapist would say is to engage in a hobby in order to keep myself occupied and take my mind off of all that anger, depression, and other negative things."

One of my hobbies that I fell in love with about a year ago is Brazilian Portuguese (yes, as opposed to European Portuguese, which I've read is quite different). Brazilian Portuguese (henceforth, B.P.) has to be one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful language in the world! Speaking it is almost like an orgasm in my mouth (sorry for the explicit metaphor)! I did say in an earlier post that I speak fluent Castillian Spanish, and guess what? Spanish and Portuguese are 89% similar, so I still get to keep up my Spanish.

I found a company (won't say which one because I don't want to advertise, but feel free to PM me) that gives B.P. lessons via Skype, and charges $60 an hour, which is what a "good" therapist would charge. In fact, a "good"/well-qualified therapist could easily charge $100-150 an hour, and many of them don't even take insurance (in which case, the client would have to file a claim with his insurance company for reimbursement, and guess what? Many health insurance companies don't even cover counseling and mental health!). So, anyway, about B.P. lessons....if nothing else, I get to talk to a Brazilian woman in Portuguese for a whole hour .

I would say that B.P. lessons would be just as therapeutic for me as actual counseling/therapy. I'll bet my next paycheck that after my B.P. lesson this afternoon, I'll get the exact same "high" feeling (i.e. release of dopamine) that I get after completing an hour of counseling.

What do you all think? Has anyone here ever engaged in a hobby in lieu of going to therapy? If so, do you also think it's just as effective as therapy?

[CANDC]

I encourage people to make lifestyle changes in coordination with therapy and a good psychiatric diagnosis and meds.

I would never tell someone to cancel their therapies and try learning a language. BTW $60 an hour sounds way too much. People on PC are not known for being able to afford such luxuries.

This appears to be a language site that will help you learn Brazilian Portuguese for free. Much better value in my mind.

If you are here for encouragement and support, I highly recommend you dispell this illusory idea. Learning a language does not replace therapy for treating a serious mental health challenge. I hope that people stay with their therapy and psych docs and meds. If you want to do extra curricular activities, that is fine, but don't replace therapy with something of temporary elevating value.

[Espadimelo792]

Originally Posted by CANDC

BTW $60 an hour sounds way too much.

And $100-150 an hour doesn't sound "way too much"? Just saying...

[hvert]

Yes, I've done that, to an extent. I've kind of used travel as a cure. What I've found is that while geographic escape may distract me from some of my problems, it doesn't fix them. It turns out that I have to actively work on my issues in order to resolve them. I've also occasionally dumped a lot of time/money into hobbies and then wasted the opportunity because I was not in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.

So, in hindsight, I wish I had started to actively work on my problems earlier.

A few weeks for an appointment is not long at all for those kinds of things. Can you get on the waiting list and start learning Portuguese while you wait?

Any therapist who just tells you to go get a hobby is probably a bad one, btw. The point of learning Portuguese is learning Portuguese and the point of therapy is addressing mental health issues. The rush can be an unhealthy motivator in the long term, especially when it comes to romantic partners

[spiritoday]

In the "hobby" of personal development I have had incredible success. Healthy eating and exercise works to add an additional level of help as well for me.

[Eris]

You know, if you check out Etsy, and browse to see some of the things they make on there, it's pretty neat. I had a whole month where I made tons of interesting stuff, and I felt happy, and it was a fabulous creative outlet once I got some ideas. You can find stuff to craft with around your house if you know where to look. Later on, I even sold a few pieces! I would reccomend it even if you weren't seeking help, because I can't tell you how much fun it was, and how many compliments the pieces received for some of the pieces of art I made myself.