Phase I Beachers - Week beginning June 10

[michelle127]

Stacie,
I don't have a drug problem, but I have struggled with anxiety/depression for a number of years. Depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. I could go to counseling from now till the end of days, but I'm still missing chemicals in my brain that I need to counteract with drugs. I've used different types and am now on Effexor, which is highly addictive, but works to stabilize my system.

I truly understand the absolute terror of social situations, feeling that everyone hated me, and crying for no reason at all. I went to my regular doctor and asked for a prescription - no muss, no fuss. My mother, who also suffers from depression and anxiety (it runs in families), refuses to medicate and deals with the symptoms. I medicate and I'm happy.

Please talk to us, your friends, your family, and your doctor. Find a solution that works for you. What you shouldn't do is take your mom's opinion, or mine, or even your own without input from a qualified physician. As one human being with frailties to another, quit worrying that you're a loser. Exercise - you won't die and it will make you feel better. Go outside, the sun will make you feel better too. Make an appointment to volunteer at a soup kitchen, to counsel runaways, visit an old folk's home, etc... Choose something to get you out of the house, give you something to look forward to, something to get dressed for, and a place to make new friends.

Like I said when I started this rather long diatribe, I don't have a drug problem, so I don't understand the ramifications of medications for you. It may or may not be a great idea. The point is to work toward creating a life you enjoy. I promise it will be worth it.

[Liannie]

Hi Stacie,

Like Nikleej says, we are all addicts here. And most of us (especially those with more than 20 lbs to lose) have emotional/depressive issues that we have been medicating with food. That's how you get the point where you need to be on a weight loss forum. And I lived in Texas when I was in my early 20s so I know how rampant drugs are down there. (It was the meth capital in the 80s before the rest of the country even thought about meth.) So there are definitely people you will need to stay away from if you want to avoid the drugs. But the drugs are like the food, it's a way of filling a hole in your soul and a sign that things aren't right chemically too if you can't feel good until you are chemically altered.

Having that unspoken grief about your grandma is like a big sore festering away inside, and telling us about it has opened it up and will hopefully let some of the bad stuff start coming out now. I can see how you dont feel comfortable talking to your mom because you all are not on that mother-daughter level (I wasn't raised by my mom either so I understand that one, big time). And your mom is concentrating on the "you" that existed before, not the "new you" that you are in the process of becoming--the "new you" that we are getting to know.

I agree with Kara too about concentrating on one problem at a time and posting here until your fingers are sore from typing. There is something very nonthreatening about baring your innermost secrets to a bunch of strangers, especially when they are available pretty much 24/7. Going to the doctor to get a medication that is nonaddictive or a therapist referral are key plans to make but the talking that will keep you going on a daily basis is what we are happy to do with you. Nothing substitutes for sound medical advice but we will sure do our best to wrap our cyberarms around you and help you move forward.

So how about the plan for Monday?

L

[Liannie]

And on another note, I avoided the "icky egg breakfast" dilemma yesterday by going to Chipotle for brunch and having a chicken fajita bowl (no beans no rice). I think I'm going to have a tuna salad lettuce wrap for brunch today. I just can't face another egg yet, ladies, and I'm so GLAD it's Day 11 I want to go and hug the oatmeal box.

The scale says I'm down another 1-1/2 pounds but I'm not claiming it until Wednesday's weigh-in because a gain of water-weight could screw it all up and I don't want to move the ticker back and forth. I'll holler back at everyone later if I get a chance.

[Ruthxxx]

Let's move our posting over to the Phase I Start for June 18 as this thread is getting pretty long.