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

I'm glad to hear you are doing better. It's amazing how much variation there can be in the opinions of professionals. In the end, you have to do what feels right for you, since not feeling right is the reason you're there to begin with. Remember to express your concerns about side-effects with the d...

I think that some people are incompatible with therapy, but you don't sound like one of them. Especially if you're reporting feeling of being abandoned. You need someone professional to talk to, if only to have an outlet for emotional release. I would definitely seek a new therapist, one that's bett...

I'm glad to hear you're getting better. Rumination is a normal part of depression, so I think obsessing over something (like a chore) over a short period is pretty within the normal spectrum of life.

Be careful not to get hypochondria though!

Welcome Denver Guy!

I agree, comedians do tend to have a keen insight into human nature. Paul does a wonderful service for the community by hosting this podcast.

I've been addicted to Ambien for four years. Luckily, I've never had to increase beyond the recommended dosage, but I know other people can have dependency issues. Insomnia is a physical symptom of depression. I mean, people can't control their REM cycles. For me, it's been one of the most functiona...

Hi bestia. I also love WTF Pod with Marc Maron. Fetlife is a good place to connect with fellow BDSMers. There's also a good community on it for on OKCupid if you use the right keywords. I myself have never been a BDSM party, too paranoid for that sort of thing, but if you keep things safe, fun, and ...

Luckily, you're on the Internet! It's real social interaction but with less pressure. Welcome.

Most of the medications for anxiety like Xanax and Ativan (lorazepam) are benzodiazepines and have potential for addiction. You might want to try prescription Vistiril (Hydroxyzine), which is an antihistamine prescribed for anxiety that doesn't have as bad a sedative effect as the over-the-counter B...

I had brain zaps while on Citalopram, even on a little 5mg starter dose. Nausea too. I had to quit.

I was on Lamictal, an anti-epileptic used as a mood stabilizer, and it just ruined me cognitively. (Lamictal works by generally decreasing brain activity.) I've noticed different effects on memory and learning from different meds. Anti-depressants like Prozac made me "foggy" while Lamictal...