Comments on Quiet Like Horses: This Is Your Brain on Drugs

I have to leave my bit too even though this conver...

2009-11-12T13:08:51.116-08:00

I have to leave my bit too even though this conversation is a couple days old. I've been in the aforementioned situation with anxiety. Making a decision about the smallest thing can be so exhausting that bed and TV seem a necessary shelter. I'm fighting it now with waves of depression that come on so strong that I have to fight to keep from weeping. I really wish I didn't have to be on the pills, but I'm honestly scared what would happen without them. I'm glad you have your boyfriend back. I know it can't be easy to be in a partnership with someone who deals with disabling anxiety and/or depression. Your presence and patience and understanding (I also benefit from heartfelt pep talks) are what he needs from you most. Hold fast, sweetheart! What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. The cliche exists because it's true.

Hurrah! Bravo! Yeah! I am so glad to hear it. Eit...

2009-11-10T21:13:44.653-08:00

Hurrah! Bravo! Yeah! I am so glad to hear it. Either a new drug is working, or something's finally changing for the better. You are to be heartily congratulated for hanging in there with Alan--I know just what that takes; went through it several times. So happy for you both!

MunkyBt -- yay!! I'm so happy to hear that :) It m...

2009-11-09T22:22:24.678-08:00

MunkyBt -- yay!! I'm so happy to hear that :) It must be a huge, huge relief.

Agoraphobia, anxiety, manic depression, bi-polar d...

2009-11-09T19:58:39.950-08:00

Agoraphobia, anxiety, manic depression, bi-polar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder - just a few of the words my former personal mental health professionals would use to talk about the kind of thing you describe. Like you say, it's hard for others to understand how crippling anxiety can be, unless they've felt it themselves. I totally get the egg shell reference. You feel completely hollow and fragile. Like even the slightest glance will shatter you at any moment. You don't even feel the air in your own lungs at times - like you're suffocating.

I'm glad Alan is feeling the urge to do more. It's a good sign that he's on his way to controlling that anxiety. For me, this stage had to come in baby steps, and I had to determine what I would force myself to do. I was never prouder of myself than when I realized I hadn't had an anxiety attack in months. Now it's been nearly two years.

yahooo im soo happy thats good news

2009-11-09T14:33:32.920-08:00

yahooo im soo happy thats good news

Yay! You have been so patient. I am glad that Alan...

2009-11-09T13:25:12.770-08:00

Yay! You have been so patient. I am glad that Alan is coming back. I hope it helps you to find your own happy place within again as well. I am so happy for you both.

This was wonderful to read! I'm so glad for you t...

2009-11-09T13:08:12.963-08:00

This was wonderful to read! I'm so glad for you that Alan (and you) got to see the sun, actually and metaphorically.

Though I have to ask ... 3 hours cleaning the bathtub?? Had you been tarring roads in there?? ;)

I'm happy you both had a good day together. Hopef...

2009-11-09T11:53:35.378-08:00

I'm happy you both had a good day together. Hopefully there'll be many more soon.

It's good to hear that something is working! Hopef...

2009-11-09T10:48:57.488-08:00

It's good to hear that something is working! Hopefully, with time, it will be more stable and more under his own control. I'm really happy for you both.

A band aid was definitely in order. Joeypouch, y...

2009-11-09T09:51:59.829-08:00

A band aid was definitely in order.

Joeypouch, your story sounds so familiar! That sounds almost exactly like what anxiety does to Alan. It's crazy! And so hard to explain to people.

Thanks for cheering me/us on -- thanks Kat, thanks all!

I'm so glad to hear about your weekend! I had gon...

2009-11-09T09:23:17.766-08:00

I'm so glad to hear about your weekend!

I had gone through an awful patch, too, where I lost interest in many things that I cared for and getting out of the house was an idea that felt much too heavy. Anti-depressants, patience, and support helped heal a lot. Thank you for being so supportive of Alan despite the weight it may bear on your shoulders.

Stay strong- we're all here cheering you on!

i am with you. i am on lexapro for anxiety and sim...

2009-11-09T07:46:17.424-08:00

i am with you. i am on lexapro for anxiety and simply couldnt function before it. i was paralysed and it would take me hours to decide whether to get a cup of coffee before getting so frustrated with my inability to leave the house that i would just go back to bed. yes a bandaid but you need to function and then you can work out the details. So happy for you both xx

that is such good news!

2009-11-09T07:34:51.205-08:00

that is such good news!

Your conversation reminded me of the vultures (?) ...

2009-11-09T07:31:45.119-08:00

Your conversation reminded me of the vultures (?) from Jungle Book, which is one of my favorite Disney movies.

The right drugs can DEFINITELY make a big difference - I speak from experience with my husband. He's able to handle things now that in the past would have put him under the bed...

It sounds like a wonderful weekend. Hope he stays...

2009-11-09T06:54:13.536-08:00

It sounds like a wonderful weekend. Hope he stays out of that funk. You got a little glimmer of hope there!

Sometimes the pharmaceuticals are only a bandaid. ...

2009-11-09T06:31:11.725-08:00

Sometimes the pharmaceuticals are only a bandaid. But sometimes a bandaid is really freaking necessary. And even if it is temporary, I'm glad you've got him back for now.

am so glad alan's doing really well. :)

2009-11-08T22:24:09.074-08:00

am so glad alan's doing really well. :)