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

I'm trying to decide if I should start an SSRI (lexapro). I've been dealing with generalized anxiety and mild/moderate depression for about 5 years. I think I've been anxious since birth. I went from having panic attacks frequently to very rarely. They are also much milder now. I've been doing talk ...

I had a lot of health anxiety and it has lessened. I was having palpitations all the time and they would cause me to panic and feel like I would pass out. I got myself checked out by a cardiologist. When everything came back negative I went to a therapist. Any therapist worth their salt will make su...

I love how my dog (puppy) bounces and wiggles. When he tries to pee like a male dog and then falls over. I love when I do something small for my boyfriend and he acts like it's amazing. I love finishing a great book that really connected to me. It's like waking up from a whole other world. I love ge...

I've had that feeling before, but the feelings in panic that make me much worse are numbness in hands/feet, chest tightness, and palpitations. I go straight to "this is serious, I'm going to die." and it just devolves from there. Just know that that symptom will not harm you. I find it use...

Yes to this. Perfectionism rules my life to an extent and I am trying to change my way of thinking. I am constantly saying to myself "I should..." at the end of that is usually exercise, eat healthy at all times, be pleasant, have my apartment clean, etc... I am using a workbook and seeing...

I feel you it sucks to not have anyone to express this stuff too. I find writing down fear or worries helps. It's also hard to separate what worries about your body are real and what is anxiety. Still working on that. My anxiety is expressed in difficulty with sleep, chest tightness, and neck pain. ...

This really resonated with me especially those fears about not expressing my true self or maybe not even having a true self. And not being able to show that true self to my significant other. And then the guilt that comes with wanting something from somebody. I don't have children yet, but I worry a...

I've recently realized how great it can feel to stand up for oneself in a non aggressive way. Without being aware I'm learning I'm a huge pleaser. The release of telling someone no and have everything be okay is amazing. To know that your feelings are just as valid as anyone elses. I totally relate ...

Thanks for that. The video was a nice respite from feeling a little alone. I think I'll try that book. I want to start reading more books about anxiety, but I can't help but roll my eyes at a lot of self help etc.. that just seems like a money grab.

I'm doing the same. I've stopped eating fast food as it makes me feel awful and both is used as a crutch and causes guilt. Instead I'm making food for myself. As a perfectionist I'm not worried about making food super healthy. Anything is better than fast food. I'm also getting out of the house when...