panic!
Well, I’ve recently learned that I may need to go back on anti-depressants. Though I’ve survived pretty well without them for the last five or so years, I’ve recently begun to experience the kind of full-blown panic attacks which are not only symptomatic of the sort of chemical imbalance that SSRI’s were invented to address but, more importantly, bring the activities of day-to-day living to an absolute standstill. The attacks reached a peak last weekend and I’m just now, on Friday, after having been sedated all week, able to return to work. Good god, what would I have done before modern medicine discovered a way to address anxiety disorders? Undoubtedly I would have become an opiate addict and/or a full-time drunk.
Anyhow, I say this not so much to whine (though that’s part of it), but, perhaps, to excuse the sleepiness of this blog of late. I imagine things will pick back up before long.
7 Comments:
Sorry to hear about the panic attacks. Long ago, I had several. A kind of concentrated agoraphobia. I wouldn't want to visit that again, either.
take care...
Take care of yrself. Things can be tough sometimes. Glad yr going to be OK.
Not to worry, Jay, you'll be fine. Your fine mind and critical thinking will, in the end, be your salvation and in the meantime, whatever works is fine too. I would point out, though, that some of the best art, lit, and yes, even poetry ever created is indisputably the work of opium smoking drunks. Not a prescription, just an observation. Good health, my friend! Cheers!
Thanks very much for the kind words of support, Jean, Laura, and Edison. One thing this whole crisis has brought home to me is that I'm not alone; not only have I discovered that many friends of mine have also suffered from panic attacks, so many friends (and even coworkers) have responded with a level of caring and compassion that I honestly didn't expect. Not to venture too far into hallmark cliche land, but, in this sense, it's been quite a blessing in disguise.
Please, be well.
Jordan
Good luck, Jay, and I'm glad you're catching right when it's starting back up...I think I went too long before getting on meds--panic d w/agoraphobia is why I dropped out of grad school. I remember trying to explain to people who told me "It's all in your mind" that, jeez, that's the worst place it could be--anywhere else, and I could take my mind off it...be well.
i'm sorry i didn't hear about this sooner and offer my support. if there's anything i can ever do, you know you can just call me. i'm just over the hill and you can count on me. be kind to yourself, and be well.
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