- *Watch our FREE series on anxiety w Dr Ramani HERE: **bit.ly/3wcgTNb* -

It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there because it’s not sadness.

I have fibromyalgia and the most difficult part about it is people not taking you seriously, including doctors. We’re constantly told we just needs to exercise or lose weight, or it’s just normal old-age symptoms or just in our head, when clearly it’s not. Nobody knows how bad fibromyalgia is until they get it.

After HIV diagnosis 19 years ago it felt like the Earth opened up beneath me. The good, effective meds had only been out a few years so I thought I was going to die a slow painful and shameful death. I threatened to kill myself to avoid that, though I really wanted to live more than ever! After being diagnosed with cancer, I took it very well. I think because of already having a serious diagnosis in the past and things turned out fine. Now I'm undetectable with a strong cd4 count and cancer is in remission! Keeping a positive attitude and having support, meeting others with the same ailment is key. 🙂

Chronic illness is a stressor in itself but it's the accompanying isolation, poverty end of hopes and dreams. It's the shock of, in my case struggling to maintain my career while being misdiagnosed for ten years being called lazy, doctors second opinions,tests,drugs that didn't work, so much loss. Going from age 31 to the body of a 100 in months.

I'm a nurse and have always been fascinated with human psychology. After going through my own personal hell of long covid for the past 28 months, this brought me so much peace and comfort. I wish I could show this to everyone when I've tried to explain how personal the healing journey is. Spot on and beyond appreciated. Dr Ramani is the absolute best. I'd give anything to have a counseling session with her one day ❤

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Keep fighting Y'all! You're more than worth it 🙏

Psilocybin containing mushrooms save my life. The drastically reduced my benzodiazepine withdrawal allowing me to quite illicit pill addiction after three years of heavy daily use before it would had became medically dangerous to quit

I had mental illness prior to my chronic illness diagnosis. But last year, I had open heart surgery at 24 years old. The heart disease coupled with dysautonomia has been very difficult to cope with. I know I will need open heart surgery again in my life, and that’s a really hard pill to swallow. Definitely experienced grief and growth

When your single, elderly, and alone with your cats and your cancer, and the snow on your car hasn't been removed in over a week it gives you are warm fuzzy feeling when someone notices. They probably won't do anything about it but at least they noticed. That's what passes for Community Support, Saskatchewan style. You're on your own kid! And what makes you feel even better is you worked your whole life as a nurse and social worker.

I suffer from Asperger's,major depression,addiction and anxiety etc. and when I was extremely depressed I let my health go because I didn't care if I died.Now I'm on the right antidepressants I am finally taking care of my health and got sober.so it definitely affects how you deal with things.

Dr Ramani. Kyle. You two are the healing balm. Thank you for unpacking the tricky stuff.

Omg, she's so right...when I got diagnosed with cancer breast cancer twice the last thing I wanted to do was share my feelings with a group of strangers...all I wanted to do was not think about death and be there for my little girl ...the reality of death is so terrifying I needed to shut down but I got panic attacks and had to stop working...I don't allow myself to be scared anymore I choose to enjoy life

Thank-you for addressing the deep fatigue that goes hand-in-hand with cancer. Chemo ended in 2019, but I’m numb from exhaustion. The old me is gone.

In addition to dealing with a diagnosis, people then have to deal with all the "well-meaning," ignorant individuals who tell you, "If only you would spend more time at the gym...or if you took this supplement you would be ok...or you just need to meditate." This, while they go about their lives, taken care of by spouses, with the resources to care for their health, and without the situation in their own lives that you are dealing with. You really learn who your true friends are when you face a medical crisis, and that, in and of itself, can be devastating.

Dr Ramani is amazing. Love listening to her words of encouragement and growth.

Already dealing with depression and anxiety for many many years.Seeing several pass away in my family with cancer then finding out that I had cancer and had a couple of cancer surgery's the past year and already dealing with peptic ulcer disease and barrett's esophagus and left side colitis has really taken toll on me. Not having a support system is hard! I am so thankful you're help with mental health issues and awareness for people who need help. Thank you for all you do. 💞

Thank you for doing this. Mental healthcare is so expensive. in my area, starting therapy is often $200 for one 50 min session. Sometimes I see consultation fees too. "Shopping" for a knowledgeable, professional, responsible therapist is so confusing, and above all, expensive. Another MedCircle video, about "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" helped me very much this week. I think MedCircle is doing something for the public good, by making these things. Thank you everyone on the MedCircle team, including the production team!

I love Doctor Ramini so much. I’ve been following her for years now about the narcissistic abuse I’ve had to cope with from various individuals since a very young age. I’ve been depressed, anxious, and fearful since age 5, and possibly younger. She has helped me understand so much about the various mental conditions people cope with. She is so informative! I understand so much more about these issues now. I’ve always considered the worst case scenario about issues I’ve been anxious about - many of which never even occur! Thank you so much, Doctor Ramini! ❤️

When I was diagnosed with an incurable and largely untreatable illness, I immediately tried to find a therapist to help me cope with the life-altering change. I couldn’t find anyone with that specialty anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. A therapist helped me as best she could focusing on healing the PTSD, depression, and anxiety that were contributing to my health issues. Every so often, I check to see if there is anyone in such a therapeutic practice, but there isn’t anyone. And this is 20+ years later with additional chronic illness diagnoses. I wish this were a recognized field of therapeutic practice, and that more therapists accepted Medicare as payment. With the current situation, at least where I live, there is no specialist who can or will help me in this sorely needed field of practice.

I've been watching MedCircle vids for a long time and always find them useful and interesting. I couldn't believe the timing of this one as I've just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. This was such a comfort to listen to and validated what I was feeling. Thank you both for all these great discussions. You're a huge help to people.

Every single parts of this video is so helpful and medical informative. Personally, I see the part 4 is tthe "perfect ending" as a lot of care givers or supporters didn't know they do the wrong thing. Ex: turn to talk about their experiences, maybe praying more etc. I'm dealing with Major Depression, Anxiety and PTSD.

My chronic illness is IBS and my moderate to high anxiety makes it worse

These kind of videos always focus on cancer but there are so many other illnesses like my own-Gastroparesis that are a death sentence as well. There's almost no treatment or study of my condition so those of us with it have to suffer not only ignorance of the condition but the loss of all quality of life. It breaks you & you lose all hope.

This really hit home with me. 22 years ago I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Over a 6 month period I became more and more exhausted, yet my lab tests were normal. I had eye issues, frozen shoulder, horrible rashes and more. I was a nurse and the opinion among the medical staff was that it wasn't real, that "those patients" were "crazy". So when I received that news I denied it. I decided I didn't have such a thing and I got in my car to drive to town. Half way there I had to turn back. I was too exhausted to go any further. I got home and cried for hours. Eventually I found a specialist who has been a tremendous help. My family took a very long time to believe I wasn't "just" depressed". In spite of the drop dead exhaustion I could not sleep. I think, as one who wasn't depressed prior to this that chronic illnesses do lend themselves to depression= not constantly but off and on.

You two are absolutely great, I've never heard or read such good explenation before. This conversation should be printed in book and spread everywhere!

Wow! I never saw or hear people talk about this topic. Well done Dr Rahmani & medcircle! 1. Not all of us get to be in a country where we can receive help and 2. not everyone have good friends and family that would care for them in the long run. If you have these cherish them! Compassion is a blessing, and never stop doing good for others no matter who the are!!!💝💝💝

And when doctors gaslight you, talk down to you, raise their voice, tell you to just try cope, tell you you're fine despite tests and symptoms constantly showing otherwise... The added PTSD from the medical system has destroyed me further. I feel very broken and hopeless and alone.

1,000,000 subscribers? Nice. Thank you for what y'all do!

I just finished cancer treatments. I believe I managed the mental health part of this well because I had prior mental health problems and received very good treatment. I was able to apply what I learned from the past to this I applaud my therapist and all good therapist. My coworkers had a harder time with my diagnosis and even said “I don’t know how to deal with my emotions “. I was open with my progress and treatments. everyone knew and I think more relaxed along the way because it wasn’t so mysterious and scary.

I lost a sister to breast cancer back in 1979. Oh how I wish the medical and phycology fields were where they are today! Our family was told don't worry, everything will be ok, we have everything under control.... She found her lump in a self breast exam after being at the Dr. She was gone in 7 months. The whole time the Dr. told us everything will be fine. It was a different time then... Thank all of you for changing the systems for those who have lost the battle and for those who are fighting it now! Patients and families💗💗.

Loved this so very much. I keep sharing it with friends I know who are also facing a major and serious chronic illness (who i know would welcome it and i’m close with), and I wish my best friend was still alive to share this with.

I've heard a lot about magic mushrooms, DMT, LSD but can't find a place to get them, I've got terrible depression and anxiety

I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and doctors don’t seem to think is a big deal. However your whole quality of life changes. The way you sleep, sit, eat. Constant pain and the fear of complications like esophageal strictures, aspiration, even cancer. These type of hernia triggers anxiety and heart irregularities. Everyone thinks, we’ll get surgery! Unfortunately having this hernia fixed comes with a lot of risks. I’m so depressed right now because I always suffered from health anxiety, now the fear is crippling. I’m so afraid of dying and Leaving my two young children. This has had a great impact on my family and I have horrible guilt because I basically did this to myself and family

I found the most satisfying therapy to be self-therapy, in the form of songwriting. Never had much support system, but I could play guitar and write songs. Playing them for others was rarely as satisfying as I had imagined. Playing them for myself was a way to get as deep and profound as I needed. It really doesn’t matter if anyone else ever hears them. Music is magic that way.

Wow. Every segment of this video touched on realities that I have dealt with and come to understand being diagnosed with a non-terminal severely impactful long term illness. I implore everyone to watch this because there will be at some point in your life someone with a serious illness, whether it be yourself or someone you know, and this will help.

Finding this channel, and Dr ramani has honestly been a life saver.

I love these two - appreciate the dialogue among the dream team! These videos are so helpful.

Love Dr. Ramani so much and thank you very much for sharing with us bless you both ❤️❤️❤️❤️

THIS IS EXCELLENT!... as a chronic pain patient as well as a care giver I appreciate you bringing us this invaluable information. I am going to watch it again immediately and definitely share it. Thank you so much❤

Imagine living with a Narcissist and everything that entails (not knowing it of course) I had depression and anxiety issues because of what I was dealing with, I got into a car accident and got busted up pretty good. Applied for social security disability (I didn't know you have to play a game of 3 strike baseball with them or hire a lawyer that takes forever) so I eventually went through all my savings, POP insurance and short term disability insurance and couldn't work, social security basically said screw you and I was left dealing with a Narcissist who tortured me because I could no longer work like a dog and pay pay pay!! Imagine what that situation would do to a woman!! No way or means of taking care of myself! And daily Narcissistic abuse to the point where I slept away 18 years of my life! I'm still sleeping it away! Being awake means thinking and I don't want to do that! Our government policy on disability and marriage and the way they approve people is horrible! I worked since I was 12 yrs old and paid taxes and social security, as far as I'm concerned they can keep it I don't want a damned dime from them ever!!

Dr Ramani! And Kyle….I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you. I still review the old programs from the beginning when you discussed the differences between narcissism and BPD, etc…which has motivated me to learn more about all the different MH d/o. Not only as a health professional but as a individual who wants to better relate w/ my SELF and people around me…help decrease judgment, develop healthier perceptions, and to know that we are not alone💜

Dr. Ramani, I really hope you see this. Thank you so much! The moment I found you I was in love with you. You have helped me so much beyond your understanding. My dad has 2 cancers and I and my family have been dealing with it for years now, it has caused so much stress and pain for my poor dad, mom, myself, and 3 brothers. At one point my mom and myself we were taking care of him and it was very painful for everybody at a lot of moments I wished he would just die ( I know I'm very selfish) He was and is still so hard to take care of, he acts like he's fine and nothing is going on and one day we were talking which always leads to an argument he said he doesn't need us, meaning me and my 3 brothers (I was so hurt when he said that because I felt like I wasted my 20, I'm 28 now. Taking care of him and worrying about him and taking him to his many and never-ending appointments even my 3 brothers don't understand that because they were NOT there. My mom does she was there and suffered too. Another thing I noticed in myself I can't look at my dad, the sight of him makes me angry, and sad ) whereas I could've been focusing on my career and life and finding someone to love me which I need desperately, and have kids with) after that I was done with him I kind of stopped taking him and taking him to his appointments and talking to him only 'hi' 'bye" and 'how you doing' I would completely stop talking to him but I live with him unfortunately so I can't. I felt and still feel so selfish for doing that but I had to break free I was and am still sad about everything. I wish I could find a group of adults who have/ had parents with cancer that they helped take care of that I could talk to and share my own experience as I still feel lonely and alone. I guess I just never made an effort to find

Yes look at your views and momentum you are building. yes mental health is not to be stigmatized ,a life long journey for every one and thanks to medcircle for your work and generosity with knowledge.

Thank you for your generosity and for sharing this content. Mental health needs more awareness! Very grateful for this channel!

thank you for being so informative, i have struggled with depression for many years and have just started youtube to promote gentle, quick exercises that have helped to get me out of bed some days

Her sharp observations are enriching and this form-fitting purple dress is enchanting. I love Dr.Ramani ❤

Congratulations Med Circle and Kyle!! Huge accomplishment and I adore your channel!🎉🎉🎉

"Life does looks different now." This really hit me. Basic Acceptance or as you call it Realistic Hope.

Thank you for a great informative video. Dr Ramani is fantastic.

I've struggled above and beyond with anxiety and major depression disorder suicide attempts, and it has really took a toll on my life ,

Hey Dr. Ramini am the biggest fan, thank you for all the content, I am so new to this, has been so enlightening

Dr. Ramani is so beautiful and empathetic lady, it is pleasure to listen her. Thank you. ❤️

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is very difficult because you are constantly so exhausted you feel like you are in end stage cancer and no one believes you. They really believe it’s just psychosomatic when it’s now understood to be a very real illness by the medical profession. My friend who got it finally admitted she never believed me until she got it. She eventually got cancer too and died from it. She said everyone talks about cancer as a big opera but it’s nothing like dealing with ME for years. When you have it and are prone to depression as well it’s really difficult to dig your way out of each day.

Congratulations to the Med Circle Team on reaching 5 million subscribers, may many people have transformative experiences from the valuable information put out on Medcircle. 💗

Thank you for this timely video. I am currently supporting someone recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.

Love this channel and all that I have learned!!

Thank you, this is very helpful.

It’s so tough. No one knows what I am going through because I don’t want anyone to know. So depressing that I can’t have an intimate relationship because of it. It’s really hard and I feel for everyone in the same situation. May you all be happy and free.

This was just what I needed to hear today. It helped me understand a friend's situation.

"THIS IS COVERING "ALL" BASES!! IT'S EXTENSIVE, IN-DEPTH, BEAUTIFUL, RESOURCEFUL, AND THEN VERY FINEST AND PERSONALIZED VIDEO I'VE EVER HEARD!! IT'S "ALL" HERE, AND SO, SO, SO TRUE"!! THIS DESCRIBES MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND ESPECIALLY SINCE MY 31-YEAR BABY, WAS 1 YEAR OLD. TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE, I WISH I HAD THIS TO WATCH WHEN I WAS TEN YEARS OLD. MOST SINCERELY, " THANK YOU" AND " GOD BLESS YOU BOTH FOR YOUR GENEROUS VIDEO. ❤️

I'm Soo happy!! Thanks for this video. Can't wait.

Thank you for releasing this masterclasses on this topic. I love this Channel

I was misdiagnosed for 32 years!! couldn't walk stand or sit. went all over the world. I finally found the right diagnosis last year. it's been a living hell...

Thank you so much! All of your talks do help me so very much! Will not get into the why, but I truly need these talks and it helps me deal with others and even with myself! But especially with a granddaughter and some others in our life that do have some mental issues and I just need to listen more and not talk so much. They do have a therapist but it is not helping as it looks to me anyway! But they are up and down. Then it is "leave me alone" But they are on their own and 22 yrs old. So I must respect those moments too. I do not bother people normally but when I think they are having trouble it leaves me worrying. They have had other illness problems and they try to handle all things alone, We all were a close family so it is hard and I grew up being made to think it was up to me to solve everyone's problems! That is why it seems natural now. But am trying to change it now. The questions were wonderful. The family partially moved maybe 4 hours and then some 2 hrs , as they found better jobs. So only can talk to them on facebook. I am not on it much, but I am there is they want me. I just had a grandson and his fiance who wants to come here in April while they are on vacation! They want to do some cooking so we do not need to do it all! Thank you both!

Living with type 1 diabetes and depression with No support system ain’t no joke either. 🥺

Both of you rock. Thank you.

Depression to me has been mostly anger fear spite vindictive and loathing of behaviors that my mom possessed...I interpreted everything without an understanding and I supplemented added to what was needed to justify my behaviors...so I was never gonna get anywhere...mom wasn't ever gonna let it happen. No matter the cost... If anything....I helped mom reinforce every bit done.

I've been waiting for a video like that from medcircle!

So beutiful: ... "you can cry and cry and" ...as long as it needs .... Thank You Dr. ramani.

I have scleroderma and my family devalued my serious diagnosis. My sisters and brother are in denial about it. I hope there will be talks how family is not empathetic or sympathetic about me.

I always pointed out to my drs that not enough is said about those of us who had mental health struggles before disabling chronic diagnoses start rolling in. Some of which can take upwards of a decade to accurately diagnose. Add in an unhealthy environment, and healing is such an uphill battle, while the cognitive dissonance causes forgetfulness on so many levels. Such a rough road for too many of us.

I was so glad to even get a diagnosis after having been born with fibromyalgia and being told all my life there was nothing wrong with me...and with CPTSD from extreme child abuse...it left me coping with all this horrific stress by just eating carbs. My anger helped me survive. My dark humor helped me cope. My skepticism was honed to a sharp edge. Yet my still trusting human nature and my desire to have a social life allowed me to function fairly well in spite of all these things. Laughter helps. Determination helps. Education helps. More money would help more-LOL. But my stubborness about independence and lack of ability to be subservient now keep my career slower than it should be. Love life? What’s that?! LOL. Nah-I stayed single. had love and lovers and had a kid when I wanted but today at 60 don’t give a shit about the opposite sex now. Staying single feels like winning! Seeing almost all my friends marriages fall apart or be a full on horror show-I am glad I always walked away from that. Been writing a book about my bonkers childhood with my brother and it’s almost finished but on hold for a bit. i wanna get it finished -just need a better computer and time.

Loved this video and needed it , thank you

Really helpful interview 👏 thank you for expressing this message!

Your hsp and narcissism session very helpful.. I am an hsp. ..I have had major illness three times. Mother and two siblings are full on narcissists. Would be great to hear more on having three narcissists in one family! Thanks so much for your incredibly helpful talks.

Congrats! I love Dr Ramani and Kyle

I wish Dr. Ramani was my mother or friend not because I could use her as my beck and call but because she is so educated to awaken any spirit🌺

You both look absolutely gorgeous! Dr. Ramani looks great in that dress! We got this guys!

I needed this today. Thank you.

I was fosterd at 14. I had a social worker but back in the day 1987 i didn’t get the help i needed. No help mentally for what i went through.i am nearly 50 & still suffer. the system back then let a lot of children down. I am now fighting for my mental health in 1923.& that is hard also for my children. i just want to love lock my self up just be alone. it’s hard

I went through all of this and I can confirm it is brutal and difficult you think you're going to die you've been told that you're going to die and yet you keep on living even though the pain and the deterioration increase. And it seems as though can secretly and almost 1 4 1 as the difficulties increase the number of people who are there who haven't run into sympathy fatigue for your situation decrease

Thank you for this information 🙏

I'm having hyperthyroidism and one of the symptoms are anxiety, nervousness and irritability. Another one is difficult to sleep. Can you imagine my life now? :(

Yes so many people are struggling great channel

THANKS FOR THE VIDEOS

Thank you, this video is full of gems 💜

Thanks for sharing 👍

Your series supports me! thank you!

This discussion strikes me as unrealistic for people without the means to access therapy. All of these ideas can work for those with adequate health insurance, sufficient financial resources, and a support network. In other words, it’s an idealized scenario that will be impossible for many. I find myself feeling angry for myself and others like me that no such help has been available to me or my family. It’s my experience that there’s often much more offered to those with cancer or in hospice than to people with other life-altering illnesses, but it’s far from consistent even in those circumstances. And I feel empathy for the people who lack access to healthcare, have no support systems, or have no way to afford treatments. This is why the discussion feels unrealistic to me, idealized. There are, in my experience, far more people who can’t get the idealized care laid out here.

It seems like people talk about depression quite often but hardly ever talk about bipolar disorder. I have this and it's a whole different ballgame. I have found things that work for me. For years I was looked at as a behavior problem with depression. This made things worse. I grew up in the time when they didn't know very much about it. Worse yet there was little to no proper medication for it. I was treated with meds for depression but it never worked. I was in my early to mid thirties before I got on good medication but I was still given only an antidepressant. I am now 67 and just a year ago I was put on lithium. I wish I had known about this a long time ago about this. What am amazing difference. I am much more calmed down and move slower. For years I suffered a lot of abuse and came through all that intact but I did most of that without good meds. I figured I had two options. One was sink. One was swim and to me sinking wasn't an option because I was afraid if I didn't make it I'd be sent back to the state hospital where I was abused. No thank you. The only thing to do was swim and so I did.

I just would like to add that in some cases a person can have a major diagnosis and nobody, but nobody shows any care. The person can go for treatment alone, pay someone to pick thump from surgeries, people being annoyed that the surgery was scheduled at an inconvenient time, mother being busy with a closet, brothers could not care less, one claiming that is not really cancer. People with cancer don't act like that. She just made up the cancer to kill her mother and get the inheritance. It is worse to find out that nobody cares about your life. Nobody, specially when you walk into surgery room and find out nobody is waiting for you to come back. People who knew you and pretended they cared about you for decades.

Yep. Often the psychs nor coaches have NO IDEA how to counsel on chronic illness.. I asked and asked how to handle things and make lifestyle adjustments and cope to avoid the inevitable "failure to thrive" and or dependency.. for 15 years! then PTSD set in from the years of chronic illness medical system BS. I finally had to rely on my medical profession and design methods that helped myself and others along the way, all while managing massive CFS fatigue and illness that also 3x when I CAUGHT covid. Its an ugly journey and without right support, it can be a lifetime of hell. But you can get to a place of better.. it may not be ur original life and opportunities, but it can be done! Interview all doctors and psych u may work with on day1 ! if they aren't familiar move on and save yourself time, money and your mental health

Yay! Thank you!

God bless you all thank you for so much information

Dealt with a woman who belittled how ill I felt and kept comparing me to her. Very insensitive woman. She made things worse emotionally for me and was a poor example to my close ones.

I've struggled with anxiety attacks from trauma being a victim & yet its hard to find a Therapist who has empathy, I just fired my Physciatrist whom became controlling, always telling me what to do, I'm not a kid to order me around she's not my dictator, I've lived independently all my adult years.

This was so beautifully informative and extremely helpful. Thank you 🙏

Could you do a show on complex PTSD I know for a fact that if you have been traumatized once you can be traumatized again and if the effect of PTSD gets worse because of the ongoing added traumas on top of those

Thank you Dr. Ramani.