New Personal Story of Triumph: Getting My Smile Back

"It’s liberating to talk about my struggles with mental illness. That is now that I’ve come out on the other side. There was a time I hid my anxiety and depression because I was embarrassed and didn’t understand my emotions." Deb Tokarz authors this personal story of triumph. adaa.org/living-with-anxiet...

[Hidden]

Beautiful picture !

Thank you for sharing. Resonates with me.

Best wishes 🌺🌺

[Marimac]

Thank you for sharing! I wish more medical issues were checked for before mental health issues are diagnosed and treated with mind-altering, 'we don't fully understand how this works, but we do know it alters your brain chemistry so let's try it and see what it does' medications are prescribed. I've been on Effexor XR for 16 years with two breaks totaling around three months. The second, when I was determined to stop, landed me in the hospital. I'm now told I'll be on it the rest of my life. I suppose there are worse things and It can't be undone now.

Always good to hear a story of someone who came out on the other side! Best if luck and wishing you the best of health as well!!!💙

[matgrg in reply to Marimac]

I have been on effexor for 22 years. Twice I tried to wean myself off of it, but relapsed both times. Now I am almost 4 months into another episode, caused by what I don't know. I struggle through everyday. My doc has no idea what to do with me, nor does he care. Can we encourage one another?

[Hidden]

I think a lot of us come across as miserable or feeling less but depression makes you unhappy and at times it's very hard to smile.

[matgrg in reply to Hidden]

I feel very self centered, but I just need to talk to someone, like myself, that has the same thing. Others have no idea what it feels like!