MsLLL 413 Posted March 11, 2017 Hi everyone! I would like to share an article written by Scott Stossel. I hope it's ok to post an external link, was hoping for a Moderator to come on to get approval. When reading, bare with him, the first paragraphs are about self-medicating (not everybody's cup of tea). Also, it might include some triggers for people with fear of vomiting and flying. I find it to be an honest essay about his personal journey. It's long, but well worth the read in my opinion. And don't skip the comment section(Some of the usual arguing, misinterpretations going on but still good). Here is the link: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/01/surviving_anxiety/355741/ Would love to have an open dialogue on everyones take on this! Many greetings! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ihadcancer 321 Posted March 11, 2017 I read most of the first page but found it too upsetting to do more than skim the rest. I felt like it indicated 'hopelessness' for healing and I honestly feel this man is not 'anxious', but mentally ill. He remembers it at age 2! Now, treating himself with Xanax, a medicine not approved for anxiety and loads of liquor...... It was an upsetting article and I chose not to read more. Sorry I can't join in. Diane 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MsLLL 413 Posted March 11, 2017 No problem you can't join in! I do share some of your sentiments in regard to this and I completely respect your wish not to read it all. I thought he might have a very severe form of anxiety. And I too, wondered about the age 2 thing! I was thinking that was probably in correlation to his maternal and paternal side having anxiety for more than one generation, and maybe his Mom or Dad telling him he 'first appeared' anxious around that time? Or a counselor telling him, later on in life. After all, him and his Dad were treated by the same counselor, which is pretty unethical to me, but that's my personal opinion. I listened to his audio book': The age of anxiety' a while ago, and the message in there was more troubling, not hopeful and it did scare me! So I was surprised I viewed him differently last night when I read his essay. At first it was the usual thing of the self-medication, and the graphic details of what his anxious state does to him (just like in the audio book), but he did tie it together for me later on, better than in the audio book. I don't know if I viewed it differently because I was already used to the shock his first book gave me, and therefore knew more what to expect? Some people in the comment section said he might not have found the right form of help yet. And a very small percentage said, there are severe cases like he might be and it's hard to get the right help. Either way: I think it takes courage to be so honest in the public eye. He showed all his struggles, and I know he was contemplating for a long time if he should go through with this. I mean, his family, friends and job certainly knew but he didn't have to be public about it to the world. He is a renowned journalist. I applaud him for his honesty and courage! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
