Tag Archives: anxiety

Waves

Continuing the Conversation (CtC), Medical Musings,

If you’ve been following CMB from the beginning or have scrolled back to early posts, you’ll recall the MY Age of Anxiety (and a bit of Scott Stossel’s too) piece.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is personally ironic as awareness of my own anxiety tends to exacerbate my inner angst.  Although I do agree that societal awareness is no doubt beneficial.  Go #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth!

Since publishing that piece, I’ve had a few panic attacks.  I’ve weaned off an SSRI, which was a slow and sometimes painful drag, but was important for other health reasons.  And I’ve started yoga and mindful meditation, which centers me in a way I didn’t know possible.  I don’t “struggle” with anxiety, it is part of who I am.  But my anxiety is not me, it’s mine.

For me, anxiety exists like waves in the sea–always there, mostly unnoticeable, occasionally lapping at my feet, infrequently stormy.

mental health month

MY Age of Anxiety (and a bit of Scott Stossel’s too)

Books, Medical Musings, , , ,

On June 23, 2014 at the age of 33, I had my first panic attack.  It was, without a doubt, the most terrifying day of my life.

stosselIn his new book, My Age of Anxiety: Fear, hope, dread, and the search for peace of mind, Scott Stossel examines the history of anxiety disorders.  This account of anxiety and panic disorders in America is a welcomed departure from the mind vs body debates of similar literature.  And Stossel uses his memoir to “come out” as a successful author, editor, father, and husband who just happens to suffer from social anxiety and a host of various phobias.  I appreciate the courage that it took for Stossel to publish this book and praise his ability to discuss anxiety, not as a weakness, but as an illness much like diabetes or cancer.

Continue reading MY Age of Anxiety (and a bit of Scott Stossel’s too) →