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

@Wren - oh god, so much sphincter-clenching (and loosing!) chaos, but you did it! Even though the universe set you up on one hell of a ride, you arrived in the end. GOOD ON YOU - now savour it all, even the fucking painting, because even though there's always more fucking painting, they're your wall...

@DemureEccentric - thank you so much for your kindness, and you are absolutely right. Many a time, I find myself being a silly little child again with my pets, in ways that I would never be even with the people closest to me. Funny how animals bring that out in us, and they don't even judge us for i...

Thanks so much, rightghoul. I'm so glad you had the great fortune to be loved by your two pals. It is oddly comforting to hear about other pet guardians' stories of loss and coping right now, so thank you for sharing yours and helping me.

Thank you for your lovely words, manuel_moe_g. You are a kind soul.

Oh, man - all of this and more! Both of my parents are malignant narcissists, and they are both well represented in this article and the co-narcissism article Paul read on the show. I also thought I was the crazy/awful one for years (and both parents willingly fueled that particular fire, because wh...

Hi Wren - congrats on the home purchase, sounds fab! It's been a few weeks now, so hopefully you're settling in? You are totally correct when you said "this is how you make something and not just 'have' something. this is how you build confidence and pride", even if it feels like hellfire ...

We had to make the decision to put our kitty to sleep Wednesday, and I want to scream, cry, vomit out my entire insides like sea cucumbers do, and punch a baby. Preferably all at once, and repeatedly, until this grief subsides. Kittyman was diagnosed with chronic renal failure about two months ago, ...

This episode was truly a standout - both guest-wise and Paul-sharpening-his-interview-skills-wise. Paul and Phil were so brutally honest and open with each other (and not just in the "best you ease your pants off now" kind of way), it felt like a real katharsis for them both. I'd never hea...

@ghughes: Thank you kindly for your welcome - I loved the Greg Cheever episodes, so definitely agree with your recommendation for those who are recently sober. Looking forward to seeing you around the forum. :) @serious_oregon: My ghouls thank your ghouls for making them feel well-met. And I thank y...

Hell yes. I am guilty of drinking unholy amounts of Red Bull and Diet Coke every day just to retain basic mental functions. This is on top of all my meds (which are mild amphetamines in and of themselves), so I expect my heart will explode out of my chest and run off screaming any day now. Hahaha. I...