Atonement Remains of the Day Howard's End Pride and Prejudice The Queen (not bad) The US Marine Corps animation Shaun of the Dead (such a great comedy) Death at a Funeral (also good) Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (something like that, what a wild movie) Trainspotting (I must have watched it five or six times)
Terry Grant2 said:Rather than letting him bite his nails, I suggested he just chew some gum instead. That was actually how I helped my son break the habit. I realized pretty quickly that it was nothing more than pure emotional tension, and no amount of lecturing or scolding was going to help him stop—in fact, it usually did the exact opposite.
But then it hit me—if I caught him biting his nails, I would simply tell him that if he really needed something to chew on, he should go grab a piece of gum. And now, here I am, having to trim his nails all over again... 🙄 🤣 🤣 and for nearly a year and a half, he’s been "trimming" them all by himself... 😬
I think the gum idea is solid advice. I used to constantly remind my son to stop biting his nails, nothing too aggressive, but I definitely became that nagging parent who wouldn't let it go. Lately, over the last couple of months, I haven't really noticed him doing it, so I'm feeling pretty relieved.
Honestly, I’d say you’re looking at anxiety; I went through those exact same chest pains myself, and even after running every single test under the sun, everything came back perfectly fine. Of course, you really ought to go get checked out just to be safe, but my gut feeling is that it's just stress.
I thought I’d jump in here and share my experience after being on Lexapro for about ten months now. We all know how much this varies from person to person—side effects and progress aren't one-size-fits-all—but personally, I didn't deal with anything too intense, aside from some shaking and sweating that lasted for maybe three or four weeks while I was on the 10 mg dose. I wasn't seeing much of an improvement at first, so we bumped the dosage up to 20 mg, and that’s when things finally started looking up. In the beginning, my episodes were pretty frequent, but now they've practically vanished, leaving me with just a little bit of anxiety every once in a while. I've actually been back down to 10 mg for about four or five months now. As for using sedatives, I honestly think it’s best to lean on them until you start feeling more stable on the antidepressant. Some people even choose to take their meds in the evening specifically to help mitigate those side effects or just to dull them down a bit.
Mark Stewart said:Valerian is typically found in herbal sleep aids due to its muscle-relaxing properties, whereas ginseng tends to boost alertness and energy (as it often contains caffeine). For certain individuals dealing with anxiety or depression, however, it can actually have the opposite effect and trigger increased anxiety. Additionally, using ginseng or other stimulants may cause nausea and vomiting in some people.
Thanks so much for clarifying, because I honestly couldn't wrap my head around why they'd pair valerian with ginseng in those herbal pills if what you're saying is true. Anyway, I’m done using them; I'm just going back to drinking Coca-Cola, which I've been sticking to for a few months now, though I guess I was just looking to switch things up for a bit—not even sure why.
Hey everyone! Does anyone know if herbal calming tablets can actually cause nausea? I picked up some anti-stress supplements containing ginseng, valerian, and a whole bunch of other stuff along with some minerals, but a few hours after taking them, I start feeling really nauseous.
We all know smoking is bad for you, so there’s really no point in running an anti-smoking campaign here or posting endless evidence; you're all just stating the obvious.
Look, I smoke, and that’s my choice—I’m pretty certain I’m not poisoning anyone else besides myself. Of course, I know I ought to quit, and I will, once I feel strong enough to actually pull it off. I read somewhere that breaking a nicotine habit is about as tough as kicking a heroin addiction, so it makes sense that people struggle with this way more than they do with just going on a diet.
What we actually need to focus on (and what is already being done) is educating kids early on so they never even pick up the habit in the first place. That way, we’ll eventually see new generations that are completely free from the addiction. Now, I’m a parent too, and I realize I’m setting a poor example, but I find some comfort in the thought that I’ll probably quit within the next few years. Maybe then my kids can watch their slightly crazy mom go absolutely wild around the house while she fights through the withdrawal, and hopefully, they'll learn a few smart lessons from watching me struggle with this crap. 😠
Harold Anderson3 said:I think most of my struggle is actually captured right there in the title, but let me try to unpack things a bit more clearly for you all. Ever since my parents split up—which was when I was just three—it’s mostly been just me and my dad, with weekends spent at my mom's place. He was always such an emotionally distant guy; honestly, I don't even recall us having actual conversations when I was growing up. Then, when I was six, he remarried, and I ended up spending almost all my time with his new wife, who was even colder and much stricter than he was. Growing up in that kind of environment really took its toll on me, especially since I was such a sensitive kid—probably way too soft for my own good, if I'm being honest. Now, you might be wondering why I didn't grow up with my mother. Well, she has a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, and because of that medical reality, the court decided it was best for me to live with my father. Because of that forced, rigid discipline, I actually did pretty well in school, but looking back, what does academic success even matter when you end up feeling like everything is falling apart? When I turned 17, these mental health struggles started creeping in, eventually spiraling into depression. My doctor and I have talked it through, and we both feel like the root cause traces back to that total lack of affection during my childhood. So, how do I fix this? How do I make up for lost time? I'm only 19, and I feel like I'm already starting from behind.
You're only 19? Honestly, hats off to you; based on your earlier posts, you sound incredibly mature for your age.
Your childhood sounds like it was anything but easy, and I am truly sorry. Every child needs parental love, but keep in mind that there are other ways to find it. You're still young, and one day you'll meet a woman and share that kind of love with her, and when your own kids come along, that will be the most powerful thing of all. Of course, you'll have the love of friends too, so it's definitely not all lost...
Naturally, there's a long road ahead of you before you reach that point, and I think you know what I mean—you have to work through the depression first. Since you're already taking medication and seeing a therapist, just keep throwing yourself into the work of self-improvement. It makes sense that nothing feels interesting to you right now, but that feeling will pass, and you'll find the strength to push through it. When you say you're working on yourself, could you give me a few examples of what that looks like?
Unfortunately, I’m still smoking, even though I told myself I’d quit the second I moved to Chicago... That was over six and a half years ago...
Every single year before winter hits, I try to psych myself up to quit—you know, thinking about who would actually want to stand outside in -30 degree weather just to light up. But then the first snow falls, I hit a bit of a funk, and suddenly I don't mind standing out in the freezing cold at all.👎
Thanks, everyone. I’ve got an appointment with my doctor tomorrow. It’s still happening, and honestly, I’m starting to feel a little hysterical about it, though I’m trying my best to stay calm. I’ve always been a massive hypochondriac, so my mind immediately jumps straight to the absolute worst-case scenarios. I was really hoping someone might chime in with a similar experience, but it seems like this isn't exactly a common thing...
To be honest, has anyone else dealt with blood showing up in their throat phlegm? My throat has been killing me for about a week now, making it almost impossible to swallow, though I haven't had any other symptoms. I went to see my doctor, and he told me it was just a viral thing, so he suggested I try gargling with some salt water. But then, about three days later, I started seeing blood in my mucus, and it’s been bothering me for four or five days straight without letting up. On the bright side, the actual soreness in my throat seems to be getting better... Is there any chance I might have just irritated my throat too much with the salt water rinses? I did a little bit of digging online, and I stumbled upon some stuff saying this could be a sign of throat cancer. I've been smoking for quite a long time, so I'm feeling pretty spooked right now...
Gregory Miller4 said:The reason for my loneliness is this: I'm living in a foreign country where I don't speak the language and I don't know a single soul here. I'm only here for work...
I’ve actually been living abroad for over six years now, and even though I’ve picked up the language and have my family nearby, I still struggle with feeling lonely from time to time. You really have to make an effort to shake things up, you know? You could try meeting people through work, getting out more, or maybe joining a local group—like a sports league or a hobby club. If there happens to be an American community nearby, maybe look for a social club or something similar. If all else fails, even going to a local church can help; at least there you’ll run into people and have the chance to strike up a conversation...
It sounds like you're dealing with some heavy loneliness, which can easily spiral into depression if you aren't careful. I’d really suggest reaching out to a therapist to talk things through, but in the meantime, try to take some small steps on your own—maybe get out more, hang out with friends more often, or even pick up a new hobby to keep your mind busy.
darkwolf28 said:Look, I’m definitely not some kind of expert, so I can’t give you any professional advice or a medical diagnosis or anything like that. This is just my two cents—and honestly, you’re mostly here just to have someone to talk to anyway. Everything you’ve been sharing... you really need to open up to those people closest to you—your inner circle—because they actually know you and are in the best position to help. Plus, you’ve gotta want this for yourself, too. You have to be able to picture that perfect future you want and then actually fight for it! Whether it’s finishing school, finding a job, or just taking things one tiny step at a time. A lot of us are out here carrying around baggage from our own pasts—old battles we didn't win or random fears that stick with us—but you just have to push back against them. If you throw in the towel now, you won't be able to actually enjoy all the amazing stuff waiting for you down the road. You aren't a kid anymore, and seriously, nobody is going to laugh at you for having a speech impediment. Just let people see who you really are—how unique and interesting you are—and eventually, the way you talk won't even matter! Good luck! 🙂
1. Pulp Fiction: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis 2. Howards End: Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham-Carter, Anthony Hopkins 3. Reservoir Dogs: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Quentin Tarantino...
Sophia Allen12 said:My two cents: honestly, I think the only people claiming that being attractive makes life easier are just frustrated and insecure individuals trying to justify their own shortcomings.
In my view, the real edge you get from being good-looking is probably in how you pick a partner—which, let's be real, mostly applies to women. What you guys are talking about maybe might hold water for the extremely stunning people out there, but they make up less than 2% of the population...
At the end of the day, the people who actually kill it in life are those with massive self-confidence. Being pretty barely moves the needle on that—unless we're talking about someone who isn't particularly bright, which usually just turns into arrogance. Generally speaking, success is what builds that confidence. Personally, I think athletes have the highest levels of it...
I agree, though it never even crossed my mind to blame people who aren't conventionally attractive for feeling jealous if they do. Personally, I find myself frequently envious of people who are brilliant, charming, witty, hardworking, or highly capable... It feels unfair that God would grant one person beauty while denying it to another. But I honestly believe there's a certain balance struck in the world; some people are beautiful, others are smart, and some are just genuinely good souls... Regarding the advantage in dating, I'm with you if we're only talking about those first five minutes. No matter how gorgeous someone is, if that’s all they bring to the table, it doesn't count for much. Confidence, charm, and resourcefulness—those are the qualities that actually carry you through life. Any physical beauty starts to fade quickly when you're standing next to someone who possesses those traits. That's why I'm going to push my kids toward sports, any kind of athletics. I want them to grow up healthy, confident, social, and communicative, because as for looks... that's just temporary.
Looking back at the peak of my youth and beauty, the thing that sticks out most vividly is how lonely I actually felt. Girls wouldn't really hang out with me, and guys were too intimidated to even approach me—though later on, someone pointed out it was probably just because I was considered attractive.
Now that I've moved past being the "prettiest girl in town," honestly, connecting with people has become so much easier. I also never really struggled with that whole "pretty but dim" stereotype, for what it's worth.
As for whether being good-looking actually gives you an edge in life, I have to admit that I did land one specific job simply because I was more conventionally attractive than the other applicants.
Disneyland said:I recently saw my psychiatrist, and instead of switching up my medication, they just bumped up the dosage... I haven't seen a therapist yet, though I've been thinking about making an appointment, it's just such a struggle to actually get moving and make it happen... 😘
Yeah, that classic depressive lethargy where everything feels impossible...
Disneyland Sam Smith3 said:Lately, I’ve found myself drifting back into those old, heavy memories from my childhood and teenage years. It feels like all those negative things I thought I'd moved past are starting to resurface and manifest themselves all over again. 🙂
It’s only natural that those negative memories come flooding back, especially when you're going through a rough patch like this. I lived in the States for five and a half years, and honestly, I never really felt that wave of nostalgia hitting me—well, maybe just a little bit during the holidays. But whenever depression would really take hold, all I wanted to do was cry for my family. There was even a period where I genuinely believed that homesickness was the root cause of my depression; I just felt this overwhelming urge to go back home. You know, I’ve heard people say there are basically four main pillars that can drive someone into depression: money troubles, family issues, career stress, or health problems. You’re saying you’ve been on these meds for two years now, and honestly, it sounds like something just isn't clicking. If things aren't moving in the right direction, maybe it's time to reach out to your psychiatrist again; perhaps a change in your prescription is needed. Are you seeing a therapist as well? So what? Don't sweat it too much; at the end of the day, most of us here are more or less the same way. Here's one for you. 😘 Since you have such a lovely avatar.