Comments on: The reason http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/ A blog about mental health Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:55:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: slogger http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3045 slogger Mon, 12 May 2008 16:56:51 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3045 I just found your blog through the NYT article. I am a 67 year old with bipolar disorder, pretty well reconciled, with a young niece who's not yet accepted hers. I just sent her an e-mail strongly urging her to explore your website. I would place my book love above everything in my life, and I wonder if you couldn't combine the two subjects in some way? Thanks for what you do. Contrary to every demographic, I support Obama too! I just found your blog through the NYT article. I am a 67 year old with bipolar disorder, pretty well reconciled, with a young niece who’s not yet accepted hers. I just sent her an e-mail strongly urging her to explore your website. I would place my book love above everything in my life, and I wonder if you couldn’t combine the two subjects in some way? Thanks for what you do.

Contrary to every demographic, I support Obama too!

]]> By: Joanne http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3044 Joanne Sat, 03 May 2008 19:31:18 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3044 I love your blog and adore you. I hope you continue to cover mental health issues. That is what I read it for, that is what attracted me to it and that is what I have always expected from it. Why change it? It's wonderful. I love your blog and adore you. I hope you continue to cover mental health issues. That is what I read it for, that is what attracted me to it and that is what I have always expected from it. Why change it? It’s wonderful.

]]> By: Ned http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3043 Ned Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:49:29 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3043 Better keep this going, Liz! I am a loyal reader and you + The Frontal Cortex (http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/) cover all the depression info I need. (I have manic-depression.) Better keep this going, Liz! I am a loyal reader and you + The Frontal Cortex (http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/) cover all the depression info I need. (I have manic-depression.)

]]> By: Lynn http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3042 Lynn Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:48:45 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3042 First the obvious--you do what you need/want to do and we'll deal with it of course. But since you asked...please don't stop blogging about mental health issues. Your take is unique and you are a constant inspiration for many of us. Yes, Furious Seasons remains and some others, but you and FS complement each other. That said, add in whatever else you are interested in. Maybe have sections? Book blog, mental health, politics, Philly, hamsters, daily life. Whatever you blog about is OK just so we continue to see your perspective on things. If you had a book blog wouldn't you sometimes want to blog about hamsters or mental health or such anyway? I think you have enough name recognition that you can set this up in a way that is fun for you and covers all your interests. First the obvious–you do what you need/want to do and we’ll deal with it of course. But since you asked…please don’t stop blogging about mental health issues. Your take is unique and you are a constant inspiration for many of us. Yes, Furious Seasons remains and some others, but you and FS complement each other.

That said, add in whatever else you are interested in. Maybe have sections? Book blog, mental health, politics, Philly, hamsters, daily life. Whatever you blog about is OK just so we continue to see your perspective on things. If you had a book blog wouldn’t you sometimes want to blog about hamsters or mental health or such anyway? I think you have enough name recognition that you can set this up in a way that is fun for you and covers all your interests.

]]> By: Lynn http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3041 Lynn Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:57:34 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3041 First the obvious--you do what you need/want to do and we'll deal with it of course. But since you asked...please don't stop blogging about mental health issues. Your take is unique and you are a constant inspiration for many of us. Yes, Furious Seasons remains and some others, but you and FS complement each other. That said, add in whatever else you are interested in. Your take is unique and inspiring or fun whatever the topic. Maybe have sections? Book blog, mental health, politics, Philly, hamsters, daily life. Whatever you blog about is OK just so we continue to hear from you. If you had a book blog wouldn't you sometimes want to blog about hamsters or mental health or such anyway? I think you have enough name recognition that you can set this up in a way that is fun for you and covers all your interests. First the obvious–you do what you need/want to do and we’ll deal with it of course. But since you asked…please don’t stop blogging about mental health issues. Your take is unique and you are a constant inspiration for many of us. Yes, Furious Seasons remains and some others, but you and FS complement each other.

That said, add in whatever else you are interested in. Your take is unique and inspiring or fun whatever the topic. Maybe have sections? Book blog, mental health, politics, Philly, hamsters, daily life. Whatever you blog about is OK just so we continue to hear from you. If you had a book blog wouldn’t you sometimes want to blog about hamsters or mental health or such anyway? I think you have enough name recognition that you can set this up in a way that is fun for you and covers all your interests.

]]> By: mike http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3040 mike Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:48:15 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3040 I like to read about your personal experiences with mental health and the treatments you receive for them. It is nice to be able to relate to someone else trying to regain their sanity. People (like me) who suffer from mental illness are going to be your primary audience I'd say. So please stick with that topic. I like to read about your personal experiences with mental health and the treatments you receive for them. It is nice to be able to relate to someone else trying to regain their sanity. People (like me) who suffer from mental illness are going to be your primary audience I’d say. So please stick with that topic.

]]> By: Joana Golding http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3039 Joana Golding Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:00:48 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3039 If you are tapering Effexor go slowly. It took me 18 months to taper and when 225 mg. It got more difficult at the end. When I was on 35 mg I started feeling the brain zaps everybody mention. Should had stay on that dose for perhaps 1 year not 2 months. After finally being off Efexor for 3 months I felt so terrible that I had to go to the drug again. Of course I was diagnosed "depressed" or "bipolar" or no matter what. But I KNOW it was withdrawal symptoms for I did neither felt depresses or anxious. I simply was in constant pain. Desperated like I never felt in my life. Now I'll have to be on this drug for the rest of my life. Yeap! 125 mg. Plus Seroquel and clonazepam. Unfortunately Charles Medawar's socialaudit has closed the data from people who wrote their while was tapering. My story is there. I don't have the streingh to tell it over and over again trying to explain that it was a huge mistake by 2 psychiatrists and so on... It's too boring and people don't trust patients words. They listen to the psychiatrist. "-She's depressed." "-Yes! I'm depressed." "-Oh! My wife/ friend/ daughter/ student/ neighbor is on drug for depression. She is depressed." If you are tapering Effexor go slowly.
It took me 18 months to taper and when 225 mg. It got more difficult at the end. When I was on 35 mg I started feeling the brain zaps everybody mention. Should had stay on that dose for perhaps 1 year not 2 months. After finally being off Efexor for 3 months I felt so terrible that I had to go to the drug again. Of course I was diagnosed “depressed” or “bipolar” or no matter what. But I KNOW it was withdrawal symptoms for I did neither felt depresses or anxious. I simply was in constant pain. Desperated like I never felt in my life. Now I’ll have to be on this drug for the rest of my life. Yeap! 125 mg.
Plus Seroquel and clonazepam.
Unfortunately Charles Medawar’s socialaudit has closed the data from people who wrote their while was tapering. My story is there. I don’t have the streingh to tell it over and over again trying to explain that it was a huge mistake by 2 psychiatrists and so on…
It’s too boring and people don’t trust patients words. They listen to the psychiatrist.
“-She’s depressed.”
“-Yes! I’m depressed.”
“-Oh! My wife/ friend/ daughter/ student/ neighbor is on drug for depression. She is depressed.”

]]> By: Moira http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3038 Moira Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:50:59 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3038 Once upon a time a few years ago, I followed a link from the Washington Post to you and to Philip Dawdy at Furious Seasons. I like everything about this blog! I will continue to read no matter what the trouble with you becomes. I read Furious Seasons for homework. Dawdy has got his fang in the jugular of mental health in America today. Is restricting one's beat to mental health reporting healthy for the moody journalist herself or himself? All the best, Moira Once upon a time a few years ago, I followed a link from the Washington Post to you and to Philip Dawdy at Furious Seasons. I like everything about this blog! I will continue to read no matter what the trouble with you becomes.

I read Furious Seasons for homework. Dawdy has got his fang in the jugular of mental health in America today.

Is restricting one’s beat to mental health reporting healthy for the moody journalist herself or himself?

All the best,
Moira

]]> By: Ana Lima http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3037 Ana Lima Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:39:02 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3037 I just knew of your blog on "furiousseasons". I won't read about Obama. If I were American I would vote for him. But I can find about him in so many places! But on mental health we need everyone voices. Tapering Efexor? It's hell. I can understand that it's hard to have our personality linked to this issue. I respect your choice. I cannot speak too much about it either for there's stigma; people get tired of the "subject"; they have no idea what these powerful drugs can do with our minds. I'll be back. Hope you find your way. I just knew of your blog on “furiousseasons”. I won’t read about Obama. If I were American I would vote for him. But I can find about him in so many places! But on mental health we need everyone voices. Tapering Efexor? It’s hell.
I can understand that it’s hard to have our personality linked to this issue.
I respect your choice.
I cannot speak too much about it either for there’s stigma; people get tired of the “subject”; they have no idea what these powerful drugs can do with our minds.
I’ll be back.
Hope you find your way.

]]> By: Wanda http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3036 Wanda Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:15:43 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3036 If you write, I will read. Please keep on writing. Keep shooting videos. Your sense of humor is a big part of my daily therapy. If you write, I will read. Please keep on writing. Keep shooting videos. Your sense of humor is a big part of my daily therapy.

]]> By: Alison Hymes http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3035 Alison Hymes Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:17:35 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3035 I think you should write about whatever you want to write about Liz. I will read no matter what. But one selfish suggestion from this homesick Philly grrl: write a little about Philly sometimes. Write about hot pretzels sold on the street, hoagies everywhere, the 3 days of spring Philly gets, the humidity, the diverse and wonderful residents of Philly, the street people, the Academy of Music, whatever strikes your fancy. I wish you the best in whatever you choose. I think you should write about whatever you want to write about Liz. I will read no matter what. But one selfish suggestion from this homesick Philly grrl: write a little about Philly sometimes. Write about hot pretzels sold on the street, hoagies everywhere, the 3 days of spring Philly gets, the humidity, the diverse and wonderful residents of Philly, the street people, the Academy of Music, whatever strikes your fancy. I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

]]> By: Stephany http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3034 Stephany Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:09:29 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3034 When we lose blogs, we lose the author, and the commenters that have become a sort of family community. My suggestion to you Liz, is to follow your heart, that is where you compass is for direction. Best wishes, Stephany at soulful sepulcher blog When we lose blogs, we lose the author, and the commenters that have become a sort of family community.

My suggestion to you Liz, is to follow your heart, that is where you compass is for direction.

Best wishes,
Stephany at soulful sepulcher blog

]]> By: UnderTheThresher http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3033 UnderTheThresher Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:53:24 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3033 A blog that's honest about mental health issues is part of a movement that can make life better for millions or billions of people. A blog about books is... about books. Don't get me wrong; I love books. But every time a books blogger is struck down, 10 more rise to take their place. Where as writing about mental health, even if it becomes a smaller portion of your posts, makes you a much-needed activist in an important cause. I say asap, as in "it's [maple] sugerin' time, Jose - get tap buckets asap." A blog that’s honest about mental health issues is part of a movement that can make life better for millions or billions of people. A blog about books is… about books. Don’t get me wrong; I love books. But every time a books blogger is struck down, 10 more rise to take their place. Where as writing about mental health, even if it becomes a smaller portion of your posts, makes you a much-needed activist in an important cause.

I say asap, as in “it’s [maple] sugerin’ time, Jose – get tap buckets asap.”

]]> By: uke http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3032 uke Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:59:41 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3032 I've got a solution that should please everybody... blog about books on mental health. I’ve got a solution that should please everybody… blog about books on mental health.

]]> By: Kent http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3031 Kent Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:23:20 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3031 I think a-sap sounds better than saying each letter, also, but it might be more confusing to the uninitiated (those who don't already know what the letters stand for). Anything you write is likely to be interesting and witty if it's about a subject that is really important to you, Liz, but I particularly like the idea of writing about how the economy and employment (or lack of employment) effect the mental health of average people. It's also interesting to hear about your pets, and I'm glad you have another hamster - hopefully a more robust one. I can imagine how sad you must've been to lose each of the other two, and it's nice to see that you still have some companionship of that type. So I think the economy and pets would both be interesting topics to see addressed here. I think a-sap sounds better than saying each letter, also, but it might be more confusing to the uninitiated (those who don’t already know what the letters stand for). Anything you write is likely to be interesting and witty if it’s about a subject that is really important to you, Liz, but I particularly like the idea of writing about how the economy and employment (or lack of employment) effect the mental health of average people. It’s also interesting to hear about your pets, and I’m glad you have another hamster – hopefully a more robust one. I can imagine how sad you must’ve been to lose each of the other two, and it’s nice to see that you still have some companionship of that type. So I think the economy and pets would both be interesting topics to see addressed here.

]]> By: Mark Krusen http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3030 Mark Krusen Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:33:20 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3030 I just came over to your blog from a link from Stans blog.Say that 10 times holding your tongue! :) I hope you keep writing on the Mental Health issues. Your very good at it. I just came over to your blog from a link from Stans blog.Say that 10 times holding your tongue! :) I hope you keep writing on the Mental Health issues. Your very good at it.

]]> By: Sara http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3029 Sara Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:07:56 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3029 Liz, I weep when I see you suffering like this because you're such a talented and funny writer/person and well loved by your fans. I think your treatment with all those drugs stinks frankly and is messing with your mind; I hope you re-evaluate and try harder to get some of those dosages down before you get pushed into disability. Effexor is wickedly hard to taper -- counting out those little pellets from each capsule one by one -- or getting it in liquid form from a compounding pharmacist or maybe switching to Prozac. Get some help from someone who knows (admittedly hard to find) if you can. If you do it slowly enough you can get your life back. Liz, I weep when I see you suffering like this because you’re such a talented and funny writer/person and well loved by your fans. I think your treatment with all those drugs stinks frankly and is messing with your mind; I hope you re-evaluate and try harder to get some of those dosages down before you get pushed into disability. Effexor is wickedly hard to taper — counting out those little pellets from each capsule one by one — or getting it in liquid form from a compounding pharmacist or maybe switching to Prozac. Get some help from someone who knows (admittedly hard to find) if you can. If you do it slowly enough you can get your life back.

]]> By: ttq http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3028 ttq Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:42:18 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3028 You would totally mess up my blogging habits if you stop. In my favorites I have a folder of the blogs I read everyday. If you stop now my whole routine will become chaotic. All the blogs I read give me a little something that I need. Totally selfish on my part, but you have given me so much information that I can actually talk to my psych dr about other treatments and managing my symptoms.. You would totally mess up my blogging habits if you stop. In my favorites I have a folder of the blogs I read everyday. If you stop now my whole routine will become chaotic. All the blogs I read give me a little something that I need.

Totally selfish on my part, but you have given me so much information that I can actually talk to my psych dr about other treatments and managing my symptoms..

]]> By: Nancy http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3027 Nancy Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:46:40 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3027 Yours is the only mental health blog that my 25 year old daughter would even consider reading. Like me, she appreciates your authenticity and candor as well as your intelligence and sense of humor. You strike a really good balance of sharing information and personal observations. And you do so with grace & compassion and without bitterness or condescending judgement. There are several excellent blogs that I read on a regular basis but I find myself uniquely drawn to yours. We also love your videos and your cute tracker. A bit of cute and whimsy next to the cost of war in Iraq-->good juxtaposition, Liz. I read your blog primarily for mental health issues, stories and information but I also enjoy your occassional posts on unrelated topics. Perhaps you need a sabbatical but please know how much my daughter and I would miss you! Thanks for all of your time, efforts, wisdom and compassion, dear Liz. ~~Nancy & Em Yours is the only mental health blog that my 25 year old daughter would even consider reading. Like me, she appreciates your authenticity and candor as well as your intelligence and sense of humor. You strike a really good balance of sharing information and personal observations. And you do so with grace & compassion and without bitterness or condescending judgement. There are several excellent blogs that I read on a regular basis but I find myself uniquely drawn to yours. We also love your videos and your cute tracker. A bit of cute and whimsy next to the cost of war in Iraq–>good juxtaposition, Liz. I read your blog primarily for mental health issues, stories and information but I also enjoy your occassional posts on unrelated topics. Perhaps you need a sabbatical but please know how much my daughter and I would miss you! Thanks for all of your time, efforts, wisdom and compassion, dear Liz.
~~Nancy & Em

]]> By: Liz (not Spikol) http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/04/15/the-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-3026 Liz (not Spikol) Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:50:01 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/04/15/the-reason/#comment-3026 Hi Liz, I just discovered your blog a few days ago while doing some research on bipolar disorder. It was an indescribable comfort to watch your videos. I am very much in love with a woman who is grappling with so many of the same issues that you have worked through. Your experiences resonated so strongly that I cried for days and still, when I re-watch your videos I am overcome with hope that she too can get significantly better. My god, I wish I could hug you! Thank you so much. I sincerely hope you keep writing this blog, regardless of what the focus might become. It's clear that it means a lot to a lot of people. Hell, it means a lot to me and I'm not even a long time reader! Hi Liz,

I just discovered your blog a few days ago while doing some research on bipolar disorder. It was an indescribable comfort to watch your videos. I am very much in love with a woman who is grappling with so many of the same issues that you have worked through. Your experiences resonated so strongly that I cried for days and still, when I re-watch your videos I am overcome with hope that she too can get significantly better. My god, I wish I could hug you! Thank you so much.

I sincerely hope you keep writing this blog, regardless of what the focus might become. It’s clear that it means a lot to a lot of people. Hell, it means a lot to me and I’m not even a long time reader!

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