YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Really sad to see this message. I hope you are safe. Please reach out to someone. It's never too late.

My therapist explained it this way: If you've had 10 years of anxiety/depression, that's your "comfort zone". All your habits, all your coping mechanisms, everything you know is in that place. So it's bound to feel "wrong" and strange when you start to experience contentment/happ...

Your post was me about 8 years ago, before I started my journey to recovery. I still have some ups and downs, but I've realized that a lot of what I believed was true then was my brain lying to me (yep, your brain can do that!), and my "baseline" is much happier. Please reach out and get s...

I'm really sorry you are going through this. It sounds like you haven't found the right medication or therapist yet--I think a lot of us understand how frustrating that process can be.

I'm not sure what to suggest, but sending you a big hug!

Well in a crazy turn of events, my mother was pulled over by police while driving across the country and her car was impounded. She has to go to a hearing in 7 days and may have her license suspended. I was told this was because of speeding, but the cops don't impound your car for speeding unless sh...

Found this and wanted to reply even though I see you posted this in April! But I wanted to say I can relate to your post. I think it's hard to know the difference between no-libido and avoidance sometimes. I know I have a hard time myself. I think, if it's possible, I have both? Most of the time, I ...

Thanks, Oak, I appreciate the support and advice. Looks like I need to come up with a plan--which I already expected, but it's nice to have some validation. I haven't heard anything further about her move in the past few weeks. Secretly hoping she changes her mind (in all honesty, for her own wellbe...

When I used to have panic attacks I always thought I was having a heart attack. I'd wake up in the middle of the night hyperventilating and with my heart racing, and I was sure my heart was going to explode. I even went to the hospital a couple times because I was convinced I was dying (I wasn't!). ...

Sorry to hear about your job; sometimes you can work hard but it's not about you, but the boss or the company. I'm sure you'll find something better. Definitely continue to reach for your goals--good luck with college! I'm sure you'll be successful :) Back to your original question re: panic attacks...

Love seeing all the ways everyone comforts themselves. Interesting to see where some match with mine. The biggest one for me is doing breath-work. I try to take long, deep breaths, centre myself, and focus on my breathing. I find it really helps bring me back to the "now" rather than all t...