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

Long time listener coming to the term with the facts that my marijuana use, depression, and anxiety are more out of control than I was willing to admit. Feeling a lot of shame and isolation and know I need help but having trouble taking that first step. Any support appreciated as I quit smoking in particular. Now is finally time!

Hello Balboa3592,

Welcome aboard!

I used to smoke a lot in high school, and really enjoyed it for awhile for it's effects. But like a lot of things, it just became an unconsidered habit and started to make me paranoid, which I hated. Also noticed that it was affecting my short-term memory. So I stopped, thinking "This isn't helping me, so why continue".

What's been your experience? And have you tried any counselling or antidepressants etc for the A & D?

Wishing you well.

Snoringdog

Good to connect snoringdog,
I am kind of at that point with smoking weed. Not only is it something I feel I rely on to much to get through the day (with the excuse of using it for things like migraines, anxiety, depression, insomnia etc) it is also something I feel slows me down to much- particularly right now as I need to put all my energy into job searching.

As for the A & D counseling, for various reasons (childhood trauma around going to doctors, therapists being used to manipulate me....yay! thanks mom!) I have not really done that as an adult and it is something I kind of feel I need to work up to. But I am slowly getting there. Also currently uninsured...yay US Healthcare!

Hi Balboa,
I don't have anything specific to add but I am here cheering you on. Take things at your own pace. Keep going.
Heather

Hello Balboa,

Yes, that too, just started to make me tired.
When anything loses it's utility and just becomes a habit with negative side effects, best to stop and think why you're still doing it, right? Maybe there's something that works better. Where is it still helping... anywhere?

I think cigarettes are more difficult to quit than weed. Have you tried to to stop for awhile? If so, what's the dynamic?

Anxiety and Depression - they go together in my experience, sometimes simultaneously. Do you struggle with one more than the other?

Lots of leads on this stuff. Maybe drill down into a few of the discussions on the board to start...?

Wishing you well.

SD