Posts by Linda Taylor11

James Ramirez10 said:Well, look, at least the guy is being honest. He isn't playing games or trying to cheat us, and that’s really all there is to it. 🤷

Totally agree. Honestly, I’ve said it more than once—I think I’d actually lose my mind if I had to live with someone else exactly like me. 😍

silentpilot6 said:That's true, I admit it. But hey... at least on this forum, I'm not pretending to be some perfect Good Samaritan, which seems to be what so many others are doing.

I wasn't trying to be offensive. It’s just how it is. Not everyone wants kids, you know? They shouldn't have to deal with all that pressure.

Some people don't play games. 🙂

hiddenhawk3 said:I suppose most people are more about taking than giving, anyway.😁

So what, we're just supposed to roll over and die? I don't think so.
Maybe try being a little selfish for once and actually live for yourself. 🙂 😍

crimsonheron80 said:Fair enough, that’s your take. People dealing with mental health issues need extra patience and support anyway, and you clearly aren't able to offer that. ☕I’m just surprised you didn't follow that up with some ridiculous poll asking: "Would you rather date: a) someone with a physical disability, or b) someone with schizophrenia?" 😂

That's exactly the point. Not everyone is ready to dump that much love and energy into someone, and honestly, it just doesn't fit the lifestyle some people want to live.

Bryan Palmer3 said:Like I already said above, it was my friend's behavior that really cut deep. We had this massive falling out, and she honestly couldn't care less, which just leaves me feeling completely isolated,😢😢😢

Look, if that’s how it’s gonna be, I guess my only real advice is to just start focusing on yourself for once. Seriously. Because later down the road, you might find yourself without any real friends to lean on, and you definitely won't be able to count on some guy to bail you out. So what then? You just gonna sit there and burst into tears? Yeah, I know, it sucks. It's hard. But honestly? You just gotta deal with it. 🤷

Bryan Palmer3 said:because I seriously can't take this anymore...

Look, things aren't gonna get any better unless you actually give it everything you've got. 🙂
I mean, sure, there's always room for improvement, but I don't really know what you're going through, so I can't exactly give you some specific advice or anything. 😍

darktiger27 said:The world is split into good people and bad people. You’re born that way; you don't just wake up one day and decide to be a saint or a villain.
I look at my three-month-old son and I just know. He's a good baby, which means he'll be a good man. I can see it. He smiles, plays with his tiny hands—just pure, innocent happiness. Like a little angel. Did anyone ever bother to ask my kids if they even wanted to show up to this world?
Then there's my eight-year-old daughter. She told me the other day, "Mom, I told that girl to stop yelling at me, because she's yelling at Jesus." When the girl asked her what she meant, she just said, "Jesus is in all of us." It makes you wonder. Who asked these pure souls—people who are destined to be good—if they actually wanted to get dragged into all this earthly mess?
They were plucked from somewhere in the cosmos, or wherever, dreaming peacefully until they were forced down here. Why? Because we're selfish. We're terrified of being alone, especially when we're old and weak. We think having kids will save our marriages or give us something to do when life gets boring. We know how the world works. For every good person out there, there's a bad one to balance the scales. That's just how it seems to me. A friend once told me that the luckiest person is the one who was never born. I think about that a lot. Does anyone ever ask us if we want to participate in this life?

Okay, great, so this is basically just pure elitism. I guess that makes atheists bad people too? My dad used to tell me all the time, "Look, even if you don't believe in God, you can still believe in family, in people, or in love." That’s kind of how I try to live my life.
Honestly, judging someone from birth by labeling them as "evil" isn't normal at all—it's such an obvious sign of being a total misanthrope.
And one more thing: these abstract notions of "good" and "evil" that churches try to drill into us? They aren't even real. This whole worldview just feeds into creating stereotypes and discrimination. 🤷

I mean, the most realistic way to navigate things is to look at what's logical and what's just plain absurd. Like, it's totally logical for a nation to revolt if they're fed up with the government, but it's pretty absurd to have TV commercials constantly glorifying alcohol.

My bad, I totally messed up there. You can actually take classes concurrently at FF, but they don't offer part-time options. Sorry about that, I got my wires crossed.🙂

slydriver54 said:I have a question that might fit within this discussion topic... 🙂
I am currently in my second year at the University of Michigan, and I find myself becoming increasingly fascinated by psychology lately. I was wondering if it might be possible to enroll in psychology courses alongside my current major, perhaps given that I managed to maintain a fairly strong GPA during my first year? I suppose I feel a bit foolish at the thought of letting the last two years go to waste... also, I was curious if there might be a career path out there that could actually bridge these two different fields together?

At FF, you can't really double major like that; it's just not an option they offer. Psychology isn't just some single class either, since it requires those long lab practicums that you absolutely have to complete to get credit. Trying to juggle another concentration along with psych would be brutal, let alone trying to handle an entire second university degree. Maybe it's possible through American Studies, though, they have a website so you could probably go check it out.
First off, I’d say just think long and hard about this and don't overextend yourself (or sell yourself short), because you honestly might not have the time for all that.

You could try enrolling in psychology as a full-time student with federal funding, and then maybe take Economics part-time since that's an actual option. With a good enough GPA, they might let you pull off studying at both schools simultaneously, but at FF, you pretty much have to be a regular full-time student.

slypuma17 said:She’s finally hit upon a hard truth: most people don't actually want to hang out with "saints." They have zero interest in someone who is supposedly devoid of vices, flaws, or those messy, dark secrets we all carry.
People find comfort in the company of flesh-and-blood humans—people who drink too much, smoke, chase after lust, and make questionable life choices. Saints exist to be admired from a distance, not to be invited to the party.
It isn't really about admiring their "inner beauty" or nobility; it’s more about the ego boost we get from looking at someone who lives a "righteous" life and feeling superior to those wandering down a darker path.
That’s what she’s realized, and now she’s terrified of being an outcast. She’s worried that if people see her for who she truly is—someone without the late-night benders, the reckless hookups, or the drug habits—she’ll just be seen as "boring" and conventional. In her own mind, she thinks she might actually be right. 😬

So, how does she move past this? 🤷
Maybe she'll eventually realize, as the years pass, that this whole performance is a waste of time. It’s a common cycle in that age group: one year they're playing the rebel, the next they're playing the saint, but they never actually settle into being themselves because they're too afraid of being uninteresting. At the heart of it, she doesn't love herself, and there isn't much anyone else can do to fix that.

That's literally what I was trying to say. It's those "awkward" years where you aren't exactly a kid anymore, but you're definitely not a fully grown adult yet either. You're stuck in limbo, wondering if you should be the straight-A student or just drink and hang out while you still have the chance.
For me, it finally clicked maybe a year or two ago, right when I turned eighteen. I tried everything—broke up with a guy I'd been with for almost three years, started listening to totally different music, tried dressing more maturely, changed how I acted... but then I kind of just drifted back to my old self (well, except for the boyfriend part). 😁

Hannah Castillo said:I'm not quite sure which sub this belongs in, but this felt like the right spot...

I have a friend. She’s always been a genuinely good person—straight-A student, reliable, polite, organized, you name it.
Then, during her sophomore year of high school, it was like she just grew tired of being seen as the "good girl." Suddenly, she started fabricating this persona of a wild party girl who lives for the nightlife.
Out of nowhere, she starts claiming she’s slept with dozens of guys, lost her virginity at twelve, went on trips to Europe with some guy when she was ten, or tells these elaborate lies about getting proposed to last Valentine's Day. She talks about partying every weekend and drinking constantly. Everyone knows it's nonsense, but nobody wants to be the jerk who calls her out, so we all just let the lies slide. We haven't even met any of the "friends" she claims to hang out with, despite us all being close for four years now.
She’s 18 and a half now.
I don't get the motivation. What’s wrong with being seen as a responsible, decent person? Have we really reached a point where you have to pretend to be a reckless hedonist just to feel accepted?

Whenever she starts spinning these yarns, I just ignore it and change the subject. I've noticed it's grating on our other friends too, and they're starting to tune her out. But she won't stop; she finds a way to bring up sex or something equally desperate almost every single day.

What do you all think? How can I make her realize how exhausting this is without having to be brutally blunt about what I actually think of her?

Maybe she's just bored with herself. It happens at that age, you know? You go through some post-adolescent crisis where you feel like you need to change everything because you aren't sure about anything else. It sucks. 😁
But seriously, I don't think it's really about you guys. It's about her and something she feels is missing. Maybe she's tired of always being the best, the most responsible, the most organized, the nicest... maybe that whole persona puts too much pressure on her.
Yeah, it is weird. I see it with people I knew back in middle school or high school: we run into them five years later, and those kids who were mediocre students and only cared about partying are actually decent college students now, while the "class nerds" are the ones finally going out and living life. I guess things just sort of balance themselves out eventually. 😁

placidhawk20 said:I actually swung by the CVS a couple days ago to check, and they said it’s $49, or maybe around $50 with a prescription. Of course, even for these $49, you still need a script; it just won't be covered by Medicare, so you end up paying full price anyway.

I ended up getting mine using my doctor's prescription along with a note from my psychologist. 🙂

Eric Jackson11 said:When did that happen?
I think it was around $43 here in the States...

There is just no way it was a hundred and thirty bucks. I bought it a year ago, and the last time I picked one up was like six months back. It was forty-eight dollars then.
Maybe it's because I have that copay thing, plus I'm still a student. 🤷

Donna Booth3 said:Greetings from Aldina over in Canada. Could someone please let me know what the typical price for Celexa is in the States, and if it’s generally easy to find at most pharmacies? I currently have to source my medication from places like Germany or Mexico because it isn't really available on our local market. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

Hey, Aldina. Last time I picked some up, it was like under ten bucks. 😢

electricorca13 said:Spot someone on it? It’s not like they’re using street drugs or drowning themselves in whiskey; there aren't going to be obvious "symptoms" to look for. You really can't tell. Usually, you might see some minor side effects during the first month while the body adjusts—things like a slight tremor, maybe some sleep issues, or sexual dysfunction in men—but that's about it.
The thing is, those "signs" usually only pop up when the person is having an especially high-stress day at work, so...

For me, there were literally zero side effects. Like, nothing at all. It was almost like I wasn't even taking anything. It just boosted my mood and totally killed my anxiety. Celexa is actually pretty good.🙂

electricorca13 said:So, here’s the situation: I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder quite a while ago. For a long stretch, Paxil actually worked well for me. But after my seven-year relationship fell apart, things took a turn for the worse. My doctor switched me over to Celexa. He advised against jumping straight from one to the other, so I waited ten days after stopping the Paxil before starting the new stuff.
To be specific, I’ve been on 10 mg of Celexa since last Friday—not even a full week yet. Everywhere I look online, people are talking about those initial side effects: the sweating, the insomnia, all of it.
I have no intention of giving up on it. Both my doctor and most people I've talked to say this is totally normal for this medication and that most folks feel significantly better once they get past the hump.
My real struggle is just surviving this "adjustment period." How long does that actually last? Is we talking 10, 15, or maybe 30 days? When can I realistically expect the Celexa to actually kick in and start doing its job?
Honestly, I feel like absolute crap right now. I’ve been trying to manage with some Normabells—up to three 5 mg doses—but they aren't doing a thing for the insomnia, and all these other side effects are hitting me hard.
Tingling in my hands, a slight tremor, sweaty palms... 😕
I’m 27 years old right now, but the thought of heading back to work like this terrifies me. You know how it is—if your coworkers notice your hand shaking while you're holding a coffee spoon, they immediately label you an alcoholic or a junkie. People can be incredibly judgmental like that.

Look, I know nobody has a crystal ball, but is there any chance the Celexa will start working all at once?

Just for the record, I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't touch any opioids or any other junk.
I realize that goes without saying when someone is on an antidepressant, but I wanted to clear that up so there's no confusion.

From what I've experienced, Celexa starts working after about two weeks. But seriously, you really do feel much better later on. 🙂

shadowtrucker18 said:My monitor is wobbling around like a curtain in a draft, even though there isn't any sunlight hitting it at six in the morning.

And what about those gaps in logic? It's just puff, puff, puff—tiny little holes being poked in your brain, and then what? 😳

I can't help but feel like someone might actually start hallucinating right after they take an antipsychotic. It seems like every antidepressant comes with that warning about increased suicide risk, and then you have all these other drugs that thin your blood. There's even one specific medication where sudden death is listed as a side effect.

That’s a bit of a predicament, I suppose.

Personally, I'd rather deal with some unknown hallucinations and just walk away; I don't know exactly why, but at least the guy who dies stays dead, and that's just... well, that's it.

So how long have you been on antipsychotics?
Honestly, you probably just need a hug...

Joshua Price3 said:So, regarding the therapy—we’re back at square one. He didn't go pick up his prescriptions, nor did he bother seeing his doctor. Honestly, he can be incredibly difficult, and who am I to tell him how to live his life? I really don't want to overstep... I’m starting to feel my own motivation slipping away, too; it’s hard to keep pouring energy into something when you know he isn't going to listen anyway. There are moments where things seem fine, but it’s just not quite right... it doesn't feel like the person I know him to be.

I have no intention of walking away, though. You don't just run for the hills the moment things get messy—that's not how I operate. He’s exactly who he is, and to me, he’s perfect.🙂 Even if I can't provide the actual medical help he needs, I can at least be there by his side.

Thanks to everyone for the input. We'll see how things unfold... I just hope his lack of interest doesn't start rubbing off on me.😢

Best,

You need to stay. There needs to be a ton of talking right now. I know how this feels (even though my own issues are way smaller than his), and I'm lucky enough to have an amazing boyfriend by my side. 🙂
Don't give up: try a hundred times, try the hundred and first time, eventually something is going to shift. 🙂

Jack Morgan2 said:which ones would you guys pick?

Some of them just have that epic vibe or a massive scale to them, while others were like total turning points for an artist—you know, those tracks that just sit there as standalone pillars in a discography.

Personally, I'm leaning towards Child in Time (since I absolutely love Prince), Won't Get Fooled Again (because man, it just charges me up every single time I hear it), and, uh, wait, what was the third one again?
Yeah, Dire Straits—even though it’s brutally sad, it’s just beautiful. 🙂

I mean, I guess I really dig 😍Rough😍😍

And man, that spot is legendary!