tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post609319305225527077..comments2024-03-28T22:49:03.563-05:00Comments on Lag Liv: Black Holes, Climbing Out OfLLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-17480714743306935982019-02-17T19:30:49.994-06:002019-02-17T19:30:49.994-06:00Thank you for writing this. I am in school to be a...Thank you for writing this. I am in school to be a counselor and anything to defeat the stigma helps. Also the death of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain hit me hard too. I can't explain it. I actually cried upon seeing a Kate Spade store. Emily Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056114401178299779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-59345802097242423972018-06-15T23:28:24.391-05:002018-06-15T23:28:24.391-05:00Your blog, your stories, and I'm delighted to ...Your blog, your stories, and I'm delighted to read whatever you care to share. This post is a gift to the conversation about mental health, so thank you for talking about your struggles. I'm sorry you and your family are going through this, but glad that you have strong supports in place to help you back to wellness. Knowing "the organized girl" (as your are known in my house) with the amazing work ethic and life also has these kinds of difficulties is a helpful reminder that everyone is going through something. Amy's and now your posts this week have made me take a hard look at some things going on in my own life, so I really appreciate your perspective. Keep on taking care of yourself!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-21849635862232696922018-06-15T19:06:48.153-05:002018-06-15T19:06:48.153-05:00AGH lost comment as I was typing it.
Just wanted ...AGH lost comment as I was typing it.<br /><br />Just wanted to say thank you for being so open, and I"m so glad things are going better now. I've been to therapy before (last year) and it was amazing. I'd go again in a heartbeat!sarah (SHU)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09785177204149427781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-14379831134921329972018-06-15T16:07:14.267-05:002018-06-15T16:07:14.267-05:00Can't tell you how much I appreciated this pos...Can't tell you how much I appreciated this post. I am a new reader (found you through SHUbox) and am enjoying reading and then this came along and struck me deeply. I'm going through a very overwhelming time and while I've seen a therapist before, I kept pushing it off this time (too expensive, not enough time...any excuse, really). But, reading this helped me push past that and now I have an appointment on Tuesday. So thank you, very much.christahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07176862795264957508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-66554596449461855082018-06-15T11:31:43.969-05:002018-06-15T11:31:43.969-05:00I think everyone is susceptible, but to varying de...I think everyone is susceptible, but to varying degrees.<br /><br />I find myself to be pretty emotionally resilient, but when I went to law school in a city away from anyone I knew, living in an apartment by myself, the loneliness really got to me. I thought it would be fine to live by myself - I'm an introvert, after all - but I found myself unequipped to form meaningful connections, and I began to increasingly isolate myself with each passing month. Friends and family noticed that I wasn't as upbeat as I used to be, but I didn't realize how bad things were until my circumstances changed and I had a chance to reflect.<br /><br />However, as soon as my circumstances DID change, that's all it took for me to snap back. I know many that require more support than that. It's why my husband has been pushing for us all to have regular mental health checkups, just like we have regular physical checkups. Especially now that we have kids, we want to have supports in place as they get older. I think it's a wonderful idea - it would remove stigma, and give us a way to voice concerns with a professional who's been keeping track of the whole family - but I have no idea how to go about finding someone for such a thing. It's not therapy, exactly...Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943312395483297859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-31686334619671218792018-06-15T10:32:10.985-05:002018-06-15T10:32:10.985-05:00Thank you for sharing! Sending you a big internet ...Thank you for sharing! Sending you a big internet hug. <3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-44358701195015863632018-06-14T20:10:46.118-05:002018-06-14T20:10:46.118-05:00I kind of wonder if... EVERYONE is like this?
I w...I kind of wonder if... EVERYONE is like this?<br /><br />I would use the same analogy, feeling like I had fallen into a deep pit -- although in my case, I feel like there is a ladder, it just feels impossible to climb up it for a while. And I used to think something is wrong with me, but now I wonder if this is actually normal and everyone goes through it but just not all at the same time.CMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01559451322234777335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-3865250524014715972018-06-14T17:27:04.076-05:002018-06-14T17:27:04.076-05:00Thank you for posting this. I, after many months o...Thank you for posting this. I, after many months of hemming and hawing and asking my husband to go to therapy, just recognized how deep of a hole I was in myself and just scheduled an appointment. This was really important. Thank youJudithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-32976179371317090792018-06-14T13:22:52.639-05:002018-06-14T13:22:52.639-05:00Thank you for sharing! I have MDD and have been of...Thank you for sharing! I have MDD and have been off of my medication throughout my pregnancy and have been struggling lately. It's helpful to remember that I'm not in this alone. melindarosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10469502937215867518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-61941737968968266332018-06-14T11:36:08.937-05:002018-06-14T11:36:08.937-05:00Would you mind if I asked a few questions, I also ...Would you mind if I asked a few questions, I also struggle with depression and mostly anxiety, probably one causes the other, but I struggle none-the-less. You obviously are a very happy person, motivated, successful, anything but lazy and also very busy. I listed to your pod cast and you mentioned you starting subbing Barre because you wanted to fill the small voids of free time. My husband suggested to me that I create my own anxiety by scheduling to many things, do you think maybe that's the case with you? Like you, I have many things to be grateful for; 4 amazing kids, marriage, our home, our health, low debt, etc... and still I don't feel happy all the time. Why is that? Is this what you struggle with or is it the lonesomeness? What do you think has the biggest impact for you, the meds or counseling? Reading this post made me feel so much more normal because even the happiest of people, people who I also highly respect can struggle with the same things I do. I've always felt something is wrong with me, less than and undeserving and just like talking to other moms about how kids do "this" and "that", hearing and talking about mental illness helps, reminds me I'm not alone in this battle. I wish I could look on the bright side of things, it's hard Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-63659182404318578342018-06-13T23:48:03.334-05:002018-06-13T23:48:03.334-05:00Thank you so much for sharing this. Thank you so much for sharing this. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-43785785392883328472018-06-13T19:31:12.032-05:002018-06-13T19:31:12.032-05:00LL...it's been a few years since I've writ...LL...it's been a few years since I've written a comment to you but I've checked in regularly. I've had life interrupt the smooth sailing too. And life's tough young lady...you've been thru so much that I don't doubt the hole took you too. I can barely begin to reference the start of it b/c it hurts to think of you thinking of it. I'm so proud of JP for recognizing your struggle and for you in seeking help and yet again, fighting to make it right. --DesimomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-73566388949271715572018-06-13T18:00:33.521-05:002018-06-13T18:00:33.521-05:00Thank you so much for sharing! I also have general...Thank you so much for sharing! I also have generalized anxiety disorder. We all need to shed light on making mental health part of a "normal" conversation! Hugs to you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08255220457595054040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-76279849481839009722018-06-13T12:38:35.689-05:002018-06-13T12:38:35.689-05:00Thank you for posting -- you are such a strong, su...Thank you for posting -- you are such a strong, successful woman, and it helps so much to know that you have cracks. I hope you don't mind my saying that. My husband, who is an amazing, talented man, is struggling right now -- he is chronically depressed and happens to be really down this week -- I mean, can-hardly-get-out-of-bed down. I'm crying, because it's that important to know we aren't alone. Thank you.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05736881049794271184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-57879345122255542112018-06-13T11:25:53.497-05:002018-06-13T11:25:53.497-05:00I've been reading your blog since the Chicago ...I've been reading your blog since the Chicago days, but I don't think I've ever posted. Thank you for posting this. My almost 11 year old daughter has both generalized anxiety disorder and depression. On top of ADHD and Type 1 diabetes. It's a lot to have on your plate in 5th grade. I struggle to understand what she's going through and your description of your situation helps tremendously. We just had a med change and I'm starting to see a spark of my old little girl. I'm really hoping we get the meds figured out over the summer, so she can start middle school off with a bang.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02331078378669666725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-17340261790466550422018-06-13T08:09:53.678-05:002018-06-13T08:09:53.678-05:00It's hard to get out of the hole if you don...It's hard to get out of the hole if you don't know you're in it. Thank goodness James said something, and that you listened and got help, even when you weren't sure about the therapist. <br /><br />And thank you for sharing your story. Hillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13176098808916814840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-74156438774721451432018-06-13T07:57:49.569-05:002018-06-13T07:57:49.569-05:00Thank you for posting this. I haven't been on ...Thank you for posting this. I haven't been on antidepressants in over 15 years but I know that I need to be. This is a good reminder as to why.<br />ButterflyfishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-30043968065151954702018-06-13T00:07:31.976-05:002018-06-13T00:07:31.976-05:00I'm a shrink and I have a hard time admitting ...I'm a shrink and I have a hard time admitting that I go to a therapist. It took seeing that my kid needed one to force me to actively fight the stigma. I'm so glad you didn't break up with her and that the world is looking a little brighter <3Chiconkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824934269870487334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-17125333289985268682018-06-12T23:37:28.471-05:002018-06-12T23:37:28.471-05:00Thanks for sharing this! I'm impressed that yo...Thanks for sharing this! I'm impressed that you're doing your part to normalize mental healthcare needs, even if it's not totally in your comfort zone to do so. Good work! <br /><br /> Have a great week! I hope you and the kids and DH have some good pool or nacho/cheese/summer fun time together. Berithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02270446862298837353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-61721622601155920322018-06-12T23:35:21.445-05:002018-06-12T23:35:21.445-05:00Thanks for posting this, and good luck with the wo...Thanks for posting this, and good luck with the work you're doing. I had to smile at the comment above: "Your home is gorgeous and always seasonally decorated on time!". Once, when I was having a hard time a few years ago, I pulled into my driveway (late for dinner with the kids, natch), one weekday the last day of November, and it was dark and cold, and I looked at the neighbor's house, beautifully lit with holiday lights, and instead of noticing the beauty, I thought: "Damn those neighbors and their stupid time-having perfection." Made me sad but that's what I thought. Sigh. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-80663745798089618642018-06-12T23:22:54.544-05:002018-06-12T23:22:54.544-05:00Hi. You may or may not remember me from the univer...Hi. You may or may not remember me from the university of Chicago law school but I have bipolar disorder and take 10 mg of olanzapine every evening before bed. It works well for me. God blessed! Thanks for sharing your story and struggles. You are truly inspiring!!Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14035266696025014624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-27702385361258427972018-06-12T23:12:49.369-05:002018-06-12T23:12:49.369-05:00Thank you. I needed to read this today. I am out...Thank you. I needed to read this today. I am outspoken about mental health with friends/family/coworkers, but when it came to my own, I couldn't commit to asking for help. About a year ago I reached a breaking point - stress and anxiety got the best of me and I finally asked for the help I so desperately needed. I asked a co-worker if she had ever seen a therapist, and had a healthy conversation that pushed me to explore my mental health benefits at work. I saw two different therapists, and one was so right for me and I've been going nearly every week ever since. It is BY FAR the best thing I have ever done for my health, but I still live in fear of the stigma associated with it, and have only told my closest friends. I know I'm on the cusp of a generation that is open and free about their mental health, and I only hope that I can become freer in sharing my story. My only regret is not seeking help sooner, but I know I wasn't ready before last year and that makes it feel a little better.<br /><br />I love your blog and I love that you share so much, and now there is even more to love. I find you and your family incredibly relatable (even though I'm single/no kids/not in law), and I am grateful to have found this little patch of the internet. Lauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-10636045270304313242018-06-12T21:19:50.765-05:002018-06-12T21:19:50.765-05:00thank you for posting this. thank you for posting this. Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02125609989859318267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-61000247576456614972018-06-12T19:17:26.892-05:002018-06-12T19:17:26.892-05:00Thank you for sharing this. I know it's hard. ...Thank you for sharing this. I know it's hard. I'm glad the medication is helping.Anna D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04452737868036013419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-3449336529531216572018-06-12T19:10:06.037-05:002018-06-12T19:10:06.037-05:00Thank you for this post! I've suffered with de...Thank you for this post! I've suffered with depression and anxiety since I was a teenager but back then it was something you just didn't talk about. It wasn't until I was an adult suffering with serious postpartum depression and anxiety that I finally reached out for help. It's made such a difference in my life and the lives of my family. I fell down that deep dark rabbit hole after the birth of my last child and almost didn't climb out. I had postpartum depression and anxiety that morphed into psychosis. It was the single most terrifying time period in my life. And still- I had family members who shamed me for seeking help. When my 13 year old daughter started showing signs of depression and anxiety last year you better believe I had her an appointment with a therapist and her family doctor immediately. I won't have her suffer in silence the way I did. And I pray that she will have a better understanding of her mental health as an adult. I'll be thinking about you and hope you continue to find joy again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04968250671087385396noreply@blogger.com