Mind-body connection?

Oh, and one more thing.. 🙂

I’ve actually started feeling optimistic about the future again. Like, I know deep down everything is going to turn out okay eventually 🙂

It’s such a massive shift.. I was walking through downtown today after grabbing a quick coffee with some dear friends, and I just found myself feeling this quiet, beautiful sense of joy all on my own. My heart wasn't racing or pounding in my chest anymore.. Maybe that really is the secret to it all?

restlessmarlin6 said:Update number two...

electricdriver78, does this have anything to do with being pregnant?? 😕 It’s true, it really feels more like just surviving than actually living life, you know, like you're constantly avoiding certain situations because you just know how much it's going to hurt once you let those thoughts hit you too hard...

They fall into that category of medications that pregnant women aren't supposed to touch because of the risk of fetal abnormalities

My doctor mentioned that all these "new generation" pills—not the old-school sleeping meds people were taking thirty years ago—don't carry that same risk of addiction

But you can't just quit them cold turkey either, since the cumulative effect means your body reacts pretty intensely to those sudden changes...

restlessmarlin6 said:Yeah, one more thing... 🙂

I’ve actually started looking forward to the future again, you know, just feeling like everything is going to turn out okay eventually... 🙂

It feels like such a huge shift... I was walking through downtown today after grabbing a quick coffee with some dear friends, and I just found myself feeling this quiet, happy sense of peace... My heart wasn't racing like it usually does... maybe that really is the secret to it all?

👍 👍

it's like a weight has finally been lifted off your chest, isn't it?

everything is going to be fine

my therapist told me during our very first session that being halfway to recovery just comes from admitting to yourself that there's an issue and actually reaching out for help

and once you start thinking more positively like that, it really just helps speed up the whole healing process...

👋 👋

Yeah, yeah... he told me the exact same thing 🙂

In theory, I should be burning through this whole therapy process by just using positive thinking to pull myself up, treating the meds more like a little backup plan rather than a crutch... He really seems to believe in my ability to handle it on my own, seeing as that’s how he advised me 😁

restlessmarlin6 said:Yeah, exactly... he told me the same thing 🙂

The idea is to really lean into all that therapy work and try to fuel myself with positive thoughts, using the meds just as a little extra support along the way... He seems to have a lot of faith in me since that's how he suggested I handle it 😁

it's exactly like that

the medication is really just there to back you up while you do the heavy lifting

honestly, I can't tell you how happy I am that you're taking these steps and that things are starting to look up for you...

fingers crossed for you 👋

Thanks so much for having my back 🙂 😘

You know, I have to admit, the absolute worst part of that whole conversation was when I realized he was basically saying I’d mostly have to handle this on my own... 😲, I swear, I nearly lost it right then and there. I just sat there panicking, thinking, "Oh my god, if I'm really doing this by myself, I am totally screwed!"

It all feels a little surreal right now, but honestly? I'm actually looking at the whole thing with a ton of optimism... 🙂

restlessmarlin6 said:Thanks so much for being there for me...🙂 😘

You know, if I'm being honest, the absolute worst part of our chat was when I realized he was implying I'd mostly have to handle this on my own... 😲, oh man, I totally panicked, thinking I'd be left to figure everything out by myself and just be completely lost...

It feels a little surreal right now, but I'm actually looking toward the future with a lot of optimism... 🙂

I almost got into a full-blown argument with him when he suggested I'd be doing this solo 😁—I told him, "If I could do this all by myself, I wouldn't even be here," which probably made me sound pretty silly... 🙄

But he just laughed and told me, "Just wait and see—with my guidance and your grit, everything will fall into place"...

Since I wasn't his first client dealing with this kind of anxiety, he actually managed to talk me down...

Anyway, just keep those reports coming... 👍

restlessmarlin6, honey, just remember—you are the absolute master of your own headspace. If you can sit there and visualize an entire gourmet dessert—down to every single ingredient—just because you catch a whiff of something sweet from a neighbor's kitchen, then you can definitely conjure up a positive outcome whenever you need to. When you feel that knot in your stomach tightening before walking into an awkward situation... just picture a massive bowl of strawberries and cream.
Person sees this as nothing more than a little nudge toward better visualization; they provide the spark, but you have to build the fire. People might throw you off guard or drop you into unfamiliar settings, but using those simple mental images gives you the breathing room you need to adjust to your surroundings.
Take a look at the sheer depth of your own mind—all those memories, insights, colors, and endless possibilities for fantasy—and then try telling yourself, "No, I can't handle this." Total bullshit. You are far too capable to surrender to such low-level defeat 😘 and so on, dear: 🙂

restlessmarlin6, check your inbox, I sent you a PM 😁 😉

I have two questions:

Is it possible for a general practitioner to prescribe Person? Also, is this medication habit-forming?

Actually... make that three questions. 😁 Here is the third:

restlessmarlin6, which psychiatrist did you see? Yours sounds perfectly reasonable, and I think I might need to seek help myself; I’ve been hit by another anxiety attack, though thankfully this one was a bit milder than the last.

Oh, yes... you’re truly a model citizen, restlessmarlin6, seeing as how you immediately took decisive action regarding your little situation... I applaud you! You rushed straight to the doctor, then off to the psychiatrist... Unlike me, who spent far too much time procrastinating. Truly, bravo!👍
Everything will turn out fine 😘

Alex Foster6 said:Can a primary care doctor prescribe Person? And does this medication cause addiction?

Sure, they can—but honestly, you can just pick it up over the counter at most pharmacies without even bothering with a script. It runs about $5.25. As for the addiction part... no, not in the traditional sense, unless you count becoming hooked on that "perfect" feeling...

The link you shared says:

When treating with Xanax, we have to taper off gradually because stopping abruptly can trigger withdrawal symptoms. This tapering process is long-term; for instance, if you are taking 0.5 mg in the morning, 0.5 mg at noon, and 1 mg at night, we recommend reducing the total daily dose by no more than 0.5 mg every three days.

...which honestly gave me a bit of a scare. It doesn't sound entirely harmless...

Still, a 0.5 mg reduction shouldn't be too devastating. I'll check in with my doctor to get her take...

I saw on some American websites that you need a prescription, so I assumed it was the same here... Are you certain you can just pick it up without one?I’d rather not feel like an idiot walking into a pharmacy asking for Person only to have the pharmacist demand a script...😉

Some pharmacies here in the States will hand out Person without even blinking—they either grill you on why you need it or just ignore you entirely. My primary care physician actually wrote me a script for it once when I asked... I used it occasionally, and for one short stretch, I took it daily, though never quite at a dosage of three times a day.
During a particularly brutal mental health crisis, I really needed it just to function—I was crying for no reason, having panic attacks... but once that specific issue passed, I didn't need the pills anymore.

Personally, I think these pills are awesome 🙂

Spica slows me down just a bit—it gives me this rubbery, floaty feeling where it’s hard to stay locked in from one task to the next. It’s like this mellow, laid-back euphoria, but once that initial wave passes halfway through the day, I feel incredible! My brain is firing on all cylinders without any of the stress. Honestly, I even feel a little lucky!

Once it wears off, I start feeling those old symptoms creeping back in, so I guess that’s when I really need to hit the gym to build up some strength...

I’m a little anxious about it, though, because I was practically counting down the minutes until I could take my second dose. 😁

Alex Foster6, I’m going to send you a DM right now!

restlessmarlin6 said:Alex Foster6, I am sending you a private message right now!

I am standing by. Thank you. 😘

Lisa Ortiz17 said:It’s wild how some pharmacies will just hand you Person without a prescription; in some places they actually ask what you need it for, but in others, they don't even blink. I actually got mine from my primary care doctor after asking her directly. I used it occasionally, and there was one short stretch where I took it every single day, but I never ever did three times a day.
Back when I was going through an incredibly brutal mental health crisis, I really needed it because I couldn't function—I'd just be sobbing for no reason, having full-on panic attacks... but once that phase passed (my issue was tied to a specific situation), I shouldn't have been on them anymore.

So, were you actively seeking it out yourself? 😲

I mean, it doesn't feel like the same level as something like Voltaren or Person, you know? It hits way harder. 😁

Like, if I see a coworker or someone at the office looking totally stressed out, am I supposed to just casually offer them some..? 😕 😁

restlessmarlin6 said:Say, if I notice a colleague is clearly feeling the pressure, is it okay to offer them some Xanax, or should I just stay out of it? 😕 😁

Haha, well, I'll definitely be the first one to step up. 😉

I'm first—just got this from one of my coworkers at the office 🙂

So, am I allowed to offer 😁

I’ve got a bit of a question here... Is it actually normal that I’m going through all of this and writing about it at only 21 years old??? 😕