I'll keep you my dirty little secret

[wonderdawg]

You know, being afflicted by something is one thing and being able to take care of said affliction is another. I've been suffering from panic attacks since fall of 2002. I've been on and off medication since then...typically going 1 year on, 6 months off...etc. Well, I weaned myself off of it AGAIN a few months ago and thought that I could be

Comments

[quiet000001]

Okay, here's my theory on the meds thing (I have PTSD and all the associated anxiety and depression drama

[starsprinkles]

Yes, this is exactly how I see it too (not that specific analogy, but the theory behind it)! Including the last part - the purpose of drugs, in my opinion, should always be to return yourself to a "neutral" (or "normal") state. If you start out with a deficiency, there is no shame in taking drugs to elevate yourself back to where other people are naturally (and vice versa, if you have an excess of something).

Unfortunately anxiety and mood disorders tend to require medication long-term or pretty much forever more than other medical problems due to the nature of the disorders themselves (chemical imbalances, etc. etc.) so that's not to say you'll (you=Emy) necessarily have to take them for life, but it's also not probably something you can really "cure" so much as find other treatments for (meditation, breathing exercises, etc. maybe? I don't know).

[nannerz2cool]

First off, icon love!

Second, it could be argued that people who suffer with anxiety/depression/PTSD are stronger than your average person, because it takes more strength to even be functional at certain points. Drugs do not make you weak. You're an amazing young lady. Hang in there, hon.