More about the project--
08.16.04 (12:23 pm) [edit]
To anyone who's reading this--please feel free to continue to post comments about your experiences with Effexor and/or discontinuing it, getting on and off meds, depression, etc. I hope this blog can continue to serve as a support and resource for that.
I also just wanted to clarify a bit about my project dealing with mental health issues, the internet, and communication. I'm looking for specific stories about people's experiences online in relation to mental health issues. These are some of the questions I'm thinking about:
What led you to look to the internet for support? Was it before or after you were "officially" diagnosed, or did you come looking for answers or explanations about the way you were feeling? Did you feel more comfortable talking about this stuff online than IRL (in real life?)? Did you find a specific community or website that you felt especially helped (or even confused or hurt) you, and what was that like? Did you develop relationships with specific people you might have found in online forums and discussion boards? Did these stay anonymous and online, or did they extend out into real life?
I'm not really looking for folks to answer this like a questionnaire or anything, they're just some questions to get anyone who wants to participate thinking on specific types of experience and issues. You can post a sentence or several paragraphs, anonymously or not. It's up to you.
If you decide to participate, thank you so much!
And if not, thanks for visiting, either way.
I also just wanted to clarify a bit about my project dealing with mental health issues, the internet, and communication. I'm looking for specific stories about people's experiences online in relation to mental health issues. These are some of the questions I'm thinking about:
What led you to look to the internet for support? Was it before or after you were "officially" diagnosed, or did you come looking for answers or explanations about the way you were feeling? Did you feel more comfortable talking about this stuff online than IRL (in real life?)? Did you find a specific community or website that you felt especially helped (or even confused or hurt) you, and what was that like? Did you develop relationships with specific people you might have found in online forums and discussion boards? Did these stay anonymous and online, or did they extend out into real life?
I'm not really looking for folks to answer this like a questionnaire or anything, they're just some questions to get anyone who wants to participate thinking on specific types of experience and issues. You can post a sentence or several paragraphs, anonymously or not. It's up to you.
If you decide to participate, thank you so much!
And if not, thanks for visiting, either way.
A new project.
08.15.04 (11:41 pm) [edit]
After the experience of doing this blog, and also based on my other experiences of looking for information/validation/su pport for mental health issues online, I've been thinking about a project I want to do about mental health, communication, and the internet.
I've been thinking about how people (myself included) seem to be sometimes afraid or confused about talking about this stuff to friends, family, and even doctors, and how the internet seems to offer this double comfort of both anonymity and immediate intimacy. I'm not sure exactly what form the project will take. Part of it is writing a story/narrative of my own experiences, but I'm also interested in gathering other people's stories and insights.
I'm going to start posting exerpts from the story/essay I'm writing as I make progress on it, and I would love for folks to comment on it--both to tell me what you think, and also, if you feel OK about doing this, to share your own stories about this subject. You can do it completely anonymously, if you like, but my disclaimer here would be that by posting your comment, you're giving me permission to use it as part of my project. If you are OK with that, I would love to hear from anyone out there who would like to contribute!
I've been thinking about how people (myself included) seem to be sometimes afraid or confused about talking about this stuff to friends, family, and even doctors, and how the internet seems to offer this double comfort of both anonymity and immediate intimacy. I'm not sure exactly what form the project will take. Part of it is writing a story/narrative of my own experiences, but I'm also interested in gathering other people's stories and insights.
I'm going to start posting exerpts from the story/essay I'm writing as I make progress on it, and I would love for folks to comment on it--both to tell me what you think, and also, if you feel OK about doing this, to share your own stories about this subject. You can do it completely anonymously, if you like, but my disclaimer here would be that by posting your comment, you're giving me permission to use it as part of my project. If you are OK with that, I would love to hear from anyone out there who would like to contribute!
Just stopping by...
08.05.04 (9:53 pm) [edit]
I've been back a couple of times to see if there have been any comments or anything. It amazes me how many people keep visiting, and I'm so happy this site has been helpful to some people!--although I'm not happy that people keep having to go through Effexor withdrawal.
Anyway, I'm doing OK...I continue to have a rough time with mood problems that intensifies before and during my period. Today I actually thought about taking Effexor again and mentioned it to my husband. He said, "Don't even say that." But I remember how awful it was getting off it, so it wouldn't make sense to bring that on myself again. I might consider another med, though.
And also, please, don't think you're weak or "not trying hard enough" if you do decide or have decided to take medication. I think antidepressants are overprescribed, but I know what it's like to reach that point of desperation where you feel like you really need something outside of yourself to keep you from hurting yourself. Sometimes it's the only thing that helps.
Hang in there, anyone who's reading this, please take care of yourself, please be proactive about talking to your doctor, and please, if you can, don't go cold turkey!
Anyway, I'm doing OK...I continue to have a rough time with mood problems that intensifies before and during my period. Today I actually thought about taking Effexor again and mentioned it to my husband. He said, "Don't even say that." But I remember how awful it was getting off it, so it wouldn't make sense to bring that on myself again. I might consider another med, though.
And also, please, don't think you're weak or "not trying hard enough" if you do decide or have decided to take medication. I think antidepressants are overprescribed, but I know what it's like to reach that point of desperation where you feel like you really need something outside of yourself to keep you from hurting yourself. Sometimes it's the only thing that helps.
Hang in there, anyone who's reading this, please take care of yourself, please be proactive about talking to your doctor, and please, if you can, don't go cold turkey!