Re: I wish I could disappear into oblivion

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

" Even when

things go well I still feel empty and lonely. "

Hun, this is withdrawal. If you look back through the messages from

like ages ago, there was a big discussion on this " lonely " feeling.

You are doing many great things , I wonder if it is worth you

doing some kind of creative course whilst looking for a job, something

with no pressure? Does this make sense? I'm not sure what is available

in the US but I am certain there will be something?

Do something totally different, something you have never tried before?

I know you feel low hun, but it really is withdrawal, just try and do

what you can......... " use " your kids, children have a wonderful

ability to make us smile and see again.

Thinking of you

Love

[Guest guest]

's absolutely right. It's withdrawal.

The ability to feel good, to feel anything, WILL come back. It just

takes time. You're doing all the right things.

You're going to have to let your intellect stand in for your emotions

right now. You just made a long list of ways in which you are so much

better--when you read that list to yourself, also tell yourself, " my

lack of feeling good about it is from withdrawal. I KNOW this is

good, even if I don't quite feel it. "

Don't depend on feelings. Go with the facts...the feelings will

follow. I know this one from experience.

Hugs,

Kim

co-moderator

--

Visit my art blog at http://kimdenise.blogspot.com/.

" Thanks to my work everything's going well " --Claude Monet

[Guest guest]

** okay, i'll weigh in here, too. it's withdrawal. remember the

mantra provided by kim -- what was the mantra, kim? lol. something

like -- everything i am feeling is due to the withdrawal. it is

temporary. "

c

> 's absolutely right. It's withdrawal.

>

> The ability to feel good, to feel anything, WILL come back. It just

> takes time. You're doing all the right things.

>

> You're going to have to let your intellect stand in for your emotions

> right now. You just made a long list of ways in which you are so much

> better--when you read that list to yourself, also tell yourself, " my

> lack of feeling good about it is from withdrawal. I KNOW this is

> good, even if I don't quite feel it. "

>

> Don't depend on feelings. Go with the facts...the feelings will

> follow. I know this one from experience.

>

> Hugs,

> Kim

> co-moderator

>

>

>

>

> --

> Visit my art blog at http://kimdenise.blogspot.com/.

>

> " Thanks to my work everything's going well " --Claude Monet

>

>

> To subscribe to our off-topic Social list go to:

>

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialWandR/

>

> To subscribe to our Truth-in-Health list go to:

>

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/truth-in-health

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

** ONE 200C dose of Pulsatilla, (homeopathic remedy). then,

keep me posted.

c

> Hi everyone,

>

> I don't know what's wrong with me. It doesn't seem to matter on the

> days when I feel good or on days when I feel bad. I just always seem

> to feel miserable and unhappy. I have no joy or any sense of

> satisfaction.

>

> Sometimes, I just wish I could disappear and be no more. Even when

> things go well I still feel empty and lonely. Are these thoughts and

> feelings part of the withdrawal process? Does it ever get better? I

> hope it's okay for me explain further.

>

> I hope its okay for me to share the following thoughts and

> frustrations. I've been feeling this way for several months now, but a

> lot more intensely lately since I'm off so much of my psychiatric meds.

>

> As would be expected, coming off the meds is now awaking my senses and

> I'm beginning to come " back to life " again. However, along with this

> new awakening and awareness of life comes new challenges, situations,

> and experiences with myself, family, friends, and others.

>

> I'm sorta stuck between feeling well enough to take on new tasks, but

> still going through enough of the withdrawal symptoms that I'm not

> quite ready for engaging in certain other activities. I need to seek

> out just what activities I am ready to handle.

>

> I'm still on the Geodon which I increased back up to 10% a few days ago

> and I'm starting to feel alittle better now, and I still need to taper

> my Klonipin at some point in the future, but not until I'm completely

> off the Geodon.

>

> Perhaps those of you who are free from your psych meds and have been on

> the road to recovery for awhile can understand what I'm talking about

> and can give me some pointers or encouragement. I hope someone can

> relate to what I'm saying.

>

> I'm certainly more active with my family and kids this school year as

> compared to last year, when I could do very little. I do alot more

> now. I cook more family meals, play with my kids, do more household

> duties, bathe and tuck my young ones in bed and read them stores. I

> don't hibernate any longer, except on a rare occassion when I have a

> task I want or need to complete. I'm more responsive to my husband.

>

> I exercise regularly and try and stay healthy. I have a more active

> spiritual life privately, as well as in regular attendance in church,

> bible studies, and similiar church activities (women's fellowships and

> church home groups, and other activities).

>

> I have also forced myself to get involved in social and group

> activities that are challenging socially like activities outside my

> home such as scrapbooking workshops that meet monthly and making beaded

> jewelry when classes are offered.

>

> I look for and force myself to engage in activities like this on a

> regular basis to keep busy and to try and develop friendships.

> Unfortunately, I have not been able to develop any friendships.

> Everyone that I meet already has their lives already " laid out " for

> them. They have friendships, family, and/or full-time jobs. It's hard

> to develop friendships with others who already " have a life " .

>

> I keep my options open and I am looking for a part-time job, but I

> can't just take any ole job. I need to be home in the evenings to care

> for my kids and family. The job can't be too demanding and stressful,

> because my brain is still healing and I can't handle alot complicated

> responsibilities. Also, I am still going through some difficult

> withdrawal symptoms which make life difficult at times. Trying to find

> a job that is a good fit for me is a challenge.

>

> I say all this because I am trying to " get back my life " or " get more

> involved with life " or however you want to word it, but I'm faced with

> the terrible feelings of disatisfaction and lack of joy. I would have

> thought getting more involved with my family and outside activities

> would help me to gain a sense of fullfilment.

>

> However, I find myself feeling lonely and empty, and this alone feeling

> is starting to drive me " crazy " . Sometimes I feel physically well and

> with moments of emotional " wellness " and other times I feel totally

> insane, crazy, miserable, and everything inbetween.

>

> There are days that I dread getting up in the morning. I don't know

> what to do with myself. I do have a schedule that I follow daily, but

> I do still have free time I try to fill up through reading, doing

> puzzles, calling and talking with others on the phone, getting out of

> the house when I have the car, but something is missing.

>

> Something must be terribly wrong with me. I do all the above things

> and still find myself empty and without joy and without satisfaction.

> Today has been one of these kind of days. When I have these feelings I

> just want to disappear and be no longer on this earth, because I can't

> tolerate the emptiness, lack of joy, and dissatisfaction any longer.

>

> I feel guilty sharing this and for feeling this way. I have a family

> and kids, a spiritual life, close relatives and family, but I still

> feel blah.

>

> Is it withdrawal? Is it because I don't have a job? Is it because I am

> so selfish and ungrateful for the good things in my life. Am I not

> being thankful enough for what I do have, do I lack being grateful for

> the good things in my life. Am I not thankful enough that there are no

> real serious circumstances in my life and no major problems in my life

> at this time? What's wrong with me?

>

> Atleast when I was " mentally ill " I was busy going to counseling and

> group sessions, focusing on my " emotional " problems to solve and

> seeking out healing of my past and painful emotions, I journaled alot,

> exercised way to much, ate to little and was doped up and numb to any

> real feelings. I know this was not much of a life either and I

> certainly wasn't happy, but I was too medicated to care. But this is no

> longer true in my life now and there really are no psychological and

> emotionl problems that I feel I need to seek counseling for. Unless

> I'm living in some sort of denial.

>

> It's embarrassing to share all these feelings with you all, but I don't

> what else to do. Maybe this is all part of the withdrawal process.

> One moment I want to die because the withdrawals are so bad I can't

> stand it any longer and then there are other times when I feel okay,

> but wish I were dead because I am so unhappy and feel guilty that I

> feel this way, especially since I have a family to care for.

>

> I can't stand these mixed up confusing feelings anymore. I'm trying to

> do all the right things, but where is the joy and satisfaction? I

> don't know. Can anyone relate? Am I making sense?

>

> I certainly welcome any thoughts or ideas any one has to share with

> me. I am afraid of what some of you might want to say, but maybe I

> need to hear it anyway.

>

> Well, it's " trying to go to sleep " bedtime for me now. I hope this e-

> mail makes some sort of sense. I could just cry, but of course I do

> cry just about every day any way. It' like a daily exercise for me

> these days.

>

> I love you all and I thank you for making this a safe place to share

> one's heart and struggles. Your encouragement and helpful hints I

> really do appreciate.

>

> Good night to everyone. I hope we all get some sleep tonight. Love

> ya' all bunches.

>

> Hugs,

>

> V.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> To subscribe to our off-topic Social list go to:

>

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialWandR/

>

> To subscribe to our Truth-in-Health list go to:

>

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/truth-in-health

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

lesile,

like kim said it is withdrawl. you cant see that right now. i put

way too much emphasis on it being just me for a long time (3 years)

and beat myself for not doing better. but, now i realize as i have

gotten better it was mostly the effects from the drugs. if you can

keep telling yourself its just the drugs that will help you a lot.

and as you heal you will see it more clearly. even problems you had

before are maximized or can become more intense from withdrawl. and

you wont realize that until they slowly become better.

jason

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kim, I guess my poor brain is just so mixed up and messed up from ten years of psych meds and poor nutrition it's not able to feel anything, but withdrawal of these drugs from it's system. Is there a time frame from which feelings do return once the meds are out of your "system"? Of course it's going to take quite a while for me to come off the Klonipin when I do finally take that step. I must say that when I do think about coming off the Klonipin I get scared and worried about it. This one drug I'm definitely going to taper in small doses over longer period of time. I just can't stand the thought of going through anxiety and panic everyday. I'm taking 2 mg in the evening right now. Even with the Geodon, I experience anxiety and feelings of panic from time to time and it freaks me out.

Before I increased the dosage back up 10% I was having that skin crawling sensations up and down my spine and it was freaking me out. I just wanta die when I have these physical sensations. I don't know how I can function with a job (when and if I ever find one) if I'm feeling panic and weriod skin crawling sensations. Is their something one can take to help with these sensations? I need to review the files on what to do for anxiety. I suppose I shouldn't think about the Klonipin right now and just take things one day at a time. I probably won't even start withdrawal until the summer anyway. Once I'm off the Geodon (24mg right now) I'm going to give myself a break for a while before reducing the Klonipin. Is this a good idea? I know, I'm getting ahead of myself and I shouldn't bother my mind with things that aren't going to happen

anytime soon. It will be hard to be patient for the feelings to come back, but it does help me to tell myself that it is because of the withdrawal and it takes time for the brain to heal. I'm so glad I have a of friends, like everyone in this group, to bring my fears, concerns, and questions too for advice, and support. It helps to know others have walked the path before me and can help me out. I wish we were in close proximity of each other so we could meet together once in awhile and put faces and names together and give each other supportive hugs. Each of us deserves awards for maintaining a certain time frame of tapering off psych drugs. Celebration parties would be great to have for those that are finally abstinent of these drugs. Love you all Hugs, Kim

wrote:You're going to have to let your intellect stand in for your emotionsright now. You just made a long list of ways in which you are so muchbetter--when you read that list to yourself, also tell yourself, "mylack of feeling good about it is from withdrawal. I KNOW this isgood, even if I don't quite feel it."--Visit my art blog at http://kimdenise.blogspot.com/."Thanks to my work everything's going well" --Claude Monet

[Guest guest]

,

There's no set amount of time it takes for feelings to come back. It

varies widely among individuals.

However, I'm not sure that's the real concern here. I happen to know

that there are times even now when you are able to feel positive

emotions...even some lightness and joy. You've just forgotten it

right now, because you've moved into that " other " period where

everything seems so bad.

I know about that one. When I was in one of those negative spaces, I

could not possibly remember that I had ever felt any other way. Even

when presented with evidence from my own journals that I had been

feeling light and happy just a day or two before, I couldn't be

convinced. I insisted on FEELING the positive feelings, instead of

allowing my intellect to take over for a while and just accepting my

knowledge of it. I suffered a lot with that.

As psych patients, we are taught to give an enormous amount of

credibility to every little feeling. We learn to react in an

emotional way to every little emotion and sensation. Instead of

objectively observing our symptoms from a scientific distance, we dive

in and roll around in them. Such behavior is built in to the system.

For example, you say you feel like you want to die when you get the

weird skin-crawling sensations. You don't think you can hold a job

because this freaks you out so bad.

Let's look at that objectively. Skin-crawling sensations are

uncomfortable, I agree. But how long do they really last? An hour?

An afternoon? On and off for a day or two? Probably not worth dying

from. What percentage of the time do you actually have them?

Probably not that much. It is conceivable that you could take the

afternoon off from work if they're particularly bad one day; but they

won't keep you from holding a job. No need to freak out. They're

uncomfortable, but you know what's causing them and you know they will

go away.

It's a bit like having a blister on your heel--it hurts to walk for a

couple days, and it can be really annoying, and even keep you from

doing things you like to do. But you know what caused it and you know

it'll go away. It may hurt a lot, and you may even get blood on your

sock for a couple days...but you don't freak out about it because you

know it'll go away soon.

A more apt metaphor may be a muscle spasm in your shoulder (which I

recently had). It hurt like crazy. It kept me from painting for

nearly two weeks, and painting is my favorite thing in all the world

to do, as well as being my most important de-stressing activity. I

was grumpy and out of sorts and couldn't raise my arm or turn my head.

I really didn't feel like going to work, but I went and I was able to

do my job anyhow--I just wasn't quite myself.

I never freaked out about it. (A few years ago, I would have freaked

a lot. But I've learned something since then.) I knew that

eventually it would go away.

I went to the chiropractor, and I had to go back several times to get

some relief...and even then it wasn't all the way better. I felt

really frustrated at that point--but since getting upset tightens

muscles, I decided not to get very upset, because it would just slow

down my healing. It was a choice. I chose NOT to react emotionally,

because I knew I would feel better overall if I didn't. I cried a

little, and then I found something else to do.

I decided to reframe the situation: I was getting an enforced break

from painting for a reason, and so I used the time to do a lot of

reading about web design and art marketing that I had been wanting to

do but hadn't had time for. I ended up having a very productive 2

weeks, though I didn't produce any new paintings.

So you see, it's all about the power of choice. You choose how you

will react, and you choose the way you will view whatever happens.

You always have the option of reframing the situation to make it a LOT

more positive and productive.

I can even re-frame this one for you. This withdrawal issue you are

having is an opportunity to develop a skill that your ten years of

drugs prevented you from developing. **You can learn to choose how

you will react.** You've already made a LOT of progress on this one,

but it's time to go a step further--now you get to apply it to the

" dark times " . Withdrawal is not only a period of time spent getting

off drugs; it's also a crash course in coping skills. You've mastered

a level, so it's time to move up. Congratulations!

And one more thing--this is a definite pattern with you. You have

some withdrawal, then you start feeling better, then the withdrawal

gets much worse again and you go into a funk. (I think it's probably

the cumulative effect of having gone too fast, actually). And then it

gets better. Every time, it gets better. Hold onto that.

Did you try the Pulsatilla? Give it a shot. Keep doing all those

other good things you are doing, and know that you are taking very

good care of yourself. Say it out loud. Remind yourself often. You

are taking charge of your recovery, and you are getting better every

day.

And slow down! Make 5% drops instead of 10%. It's not uncommon for

people to need to make smaller cuts as they get closer to the end.

Makes it slow, but everyone does get to the end, and you will too!

Blessings,

Kim

co-moderator

--

Visit my art blog at http://kimdenise.blogspot.com/.

" Thanks to my work everything's going well " --Claude Monet

[Guest guest]

Excellent reply, Kim... Wow! So true... Sally

> [Original Message]

>

> To: <Withdrawal_and_Recovery >

> Date: 2/1/2006 12:43:53 PM

> Subject: Re: Re: I wish I could disappear into

oblivion

>

> ,

>

> There's no set amount of time it takes for feelings to come back. It

> varies widely among individuals.

>

> However, I'm not sure that's the real concern here. I happen to know

> that there are times even now when you are able to feel positive

> emotions...even some lightness and joy. You've just forgotten it

> right now, because you've moved into that " other " period where

> everything seems so bad.

>

> I know about that one. When I was in one of those negative spaces, I

> could not possibly remember that I had ever felt any other way. Even

> when presented with evidence from my own journals that I had been

> feeling light and happy just a day or two before, I couldn't be

> convinced. I insisted on FEELING the positive feelings, instead of

> allowing my intellect to take over for a while and just accepting my

> knowledge of it. I suffered a lot with that.

>

>

> As psych patients, we are taught to give an enormous amount of

> credibility to every little feeling. We learn to react in an

> emotional way to every little emotion and sensation. Instead of

> objectively observing our symptoms from a scientific distance, we dive

> in and roll around in them. Such behavior is built in to the system.

>

>

> For example, you say you feel like you want to die when you get the

> weird skin-crawling sensations. You don't think you can hold a job

> because this freaks you out so bad.

>

>

> Let's look at that objectively. Skin-crawling sensations are

> uncomfortable, I agree. But how long do they really last? An hour?

> An afternoon? On and off for a day or two? Probably not worth dying

> from. What percentage of the time do you actually have them?

> Probably not that much. It is conceivable that you could take the

> afternoon off from work if they're particularly bad one day; but they

> won't keep you from holding a job. No need to freak out. They're

> uncomfortable, but you know what's causing them and you know they will

> go away.

>

>

> It's a bit like having a blister on your heel--it hurts to walk for a

> couple days, and it can be really annoying, and even keep you from

> doing things you like to do. But you know what caused it and you know

> it'll go away. It may hurt a lot, and you may even get blood on your

> sock for a couple days...but you don't freak out about it because you

> know it'll go away soon.

>

>

> A more apt metaphor may be a muscle spasm in your shoulder (which I

> recently had). It hurt like crazy. It kept me from painting for

> nearly two weeks, and painting is my favorite thing in all the world

> to do, as well as being my most important de-stressing activity. I

> was grumpy and out of sorts and couldn't raise my arm or turn my head.

> I really didn't feel like going to work, but I went and I was able to

> do my job anyhow--I just wasn't quite myself.

>

>

> I never freaked out about it. (A few years ago, I would have freaked

> a lot. But I've learned something since then.) I knew that

> eventually it would go away.

>

>

> I went to the chiropractor, and I had to go back several times to get

> some relief...and even then it wasn't all the way better. I felt

> really frustrated at that point--but since getting upset tightens

> muscles, I decided not to get very upset, because it would just slow

> down my healing. It was a choice. I chose NOT to react emotionally,

> because I knew I would feel better overall if I didn't. I cried a

> little, and then I found something else to do.

>

>

> I decided to reframe the situation: I was getting an enforced break

> from painting for a reason, and so I used the time to do a lot of

> reading about web design and art marketing that I had been wanting to

> do but hadn't had time for. I ended up having a very productive 2

> weeks, though I didn't produce any new paintings.

>

>

> So you see, it's all about the power of choice. You choose how you

> will react, and you choose the way you will view whatever happens.

> You always have the option of reframing the situation to make it a LOT

> more positive and productive.

>

>

> I can even re-frame this one for you. This withdrawal issue you are

> having is an opportunity to develop a skill that your ten years of

> drugs prevented you from developing. **You can learn to choose how

> you will react.** You've already made a LOT of progress on this one,

> but it's time to go a step further--now you get to apply it to the

> " dark times " . Withdrawal is not only a period of time spent getting

> off drugs; it's also a crash course in coping skills. You've mastered

> a level, so it's time to move up. Congratulations!

>

>

> And one more thing--this is a definite pattern with you. You have

> some withdrawal, then you start feeling better, then the withdrawal

> gets much worse again and you go into a funk. (I think it's probably

> the cumulative effect of having gone too fast, actually). And then it

> gets better. Every time, it gets better. Hold onto that.

>

>

> Did you try the Pulsatilla? Give it a shot. Keep doing all those

> other good things you are doing, and know that you are taking very

> good care of yourself. Say it out loud. Remind yourself often. You

> are taking charge of your recovery, and you are getting better every

> day.

>

> And slow down! Make 5% drops instead of 10%. It's not uncommon for

> people to need to make smaller cuts as they get closer to the end.

> Makes it slow, but everyone does get to the end, and you will too!

>

>

> Blessings,

> Kim

> co-moderator

>

>

>

> --

> Visit my art blog at http://kimdenise.blogspot.com/.

>

> " Thanks to my work everything's going well " --Claude Monet

>

>

> To subscribe to our off-topic Social list go to:

>

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialWandR/

>

> To subscribe to our Truth-in-Health list go to:

>

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/truth-in-health

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kim, Forgive me for not cutting this e-mail short. I want to hang on to it for daily reference and read it over and over to learn and apply what you shared. It was so great that you shared all that with me. Lotsa to think about and plenty of things to begin applying to my life now. My mental attitude and perspective needs major improvement. This has been a pattern I developed as a very young child. I can remember my grandmother telling me when I was in the 4th grade that I'm a worry wort. Sad to admit, but true. Up until I read your e-mail I couldn't tolerate discomfort very well, but this attitude I'm going to work on changing. Re-frame it like you shared. Just this afternoon while talking with my husband he was sharing with me some similar ideas that you had about enduring the withdrawal, reframing my perspective, and realizing

there will eventually be and end it sight, currently as well as long term. Thanks so much for your insight! Love everyone in this group so much. Hugs, V. Lane wrote: Excellent reply, Kim... Wow! So true... Sally> [Original Message]> > To: <Withdrawal_and_Recovery >> Date: 2/1/2006 12:43:53 PM> Subject: Re: Re: I wish I could disappear intooblivion>> ,>> There's no set amount of time it takes for feelings to come back. It> varies widely among individuals.>> However, I'm not sure that's the real

concern here. I happen to know> that there are times even now when you are able to feel positive> emotions...even some lightness and joy. You've just forgotten it> right now, because you've moved into that "other" period where> everything seems so bad.>> I know about that one. When I was in one of those negative spaces, I> could not possibly remember that I had ever felt any other way. Even> when presented with evidence from my own journals that I had been> feeling light and happy just a day or two before, I couldn't be> convinced. I insisted on FEELING the positive feelings, instead of> allowing my intellect to take over for a while and just accepting my> knowledge of it. I suffered a lot with that.>>> As psych patients, we are taught to give an enormous amount of> credibility to every little feeling. We learn to react in

an> emotional way to every little emotion and sensation. Instead of> objectively observing our symptoms from a scientific distance, we dive> in and roll around in them. Such behavior is built in to the system.>>> For example, you say you feel like you want to die when you get the> weird skin-crawling sensations. You don't think you can hold a job> because this freaks you out so bad.>>> Let's look at that objectively. Skin-crawling sensations are> uncomfortable, I agree. But how long do they really last? An hour? > An afternoon? On and off for a day or two? Probably not worth dying> from. What percentage of the time do you actually have them? > Probably not that much. It is conceivable that you could take the> afternoon off from work if they're particularly bad one day; but they> won't keep you from holding a

job. No need to freak out. They're> uncomfortable, but you know what's causing them and you know they will> go away.>>> It's a bit like having a blister on your heel--it hurts to walk for a> couple days, and it can be really annoying, and even keep you from> doing things you like to do. But you know what caused it and you know> it'll go away. It may hurt a lot, and you may even get blood on your> sock for a couple days...but you don't freak out about it because you> know it'll go away soon.>>> A more apt metaphor may be a muscle spasm in your shoulder (which I> recently had). It hurt like crazy. It kept me from painting for> nearly two weeks, and painting is my favorite thing in all the world> to do, as well as being my most important de-stressing activity. I> was grumpy and out of sorts and couldn't raise my arm or turn my

head.> I really didn't feel like going to work, but I went and I was able to> do my job anyhow--I just wasn't quite myself.>>> I never freaked out about it. (A few years ago, I would have freaked> a lot. But I've learned something since then.) I knew that> eventually it would go away.>>> I went to the chiropractor, and I had to go back several times to get> some relief...and even then it wasn't all the way better. I felt> really frustrated at that point--but since getting upset tightens> muscles, I decided not to get very upset, because it would just slow> down my healing. It was a choice. I chose NOT to react emotionally,> because I knew I would feel better overall if I didn't. I cried a> little, and then I found something else to do.>>> I decided to reframe the situation: I was getting an enforced

break> from painting for a reason, and so I used the time to do a lot of> reading about web design and art marketing that I had been wanting to> do but hadn't had time for. I ended up having a very productive 2> weeks, though I didn't produce any new paintings.>>> So you see, it's all about the power of choice. You choose how you> will react, and you choose the way you will view whatever happens. > You always have the option of reframing the situation to make it a LOT> more positive and productive.>>> I can even re-frame this one for you. This withdrawal issue you are> having is an opportunity to develop a skill that your ten years of> drugs prevented you from developing. **You can learn to choose how> you will react.** You've already made a LOT of progress on this one,> but it's time to go a step further--now you get to apply it to

the> "dark times". Withdrawal is not only a period of time spent getting> off drugs; it's also a crash course in coping skills. You've mastered> a level, so it's time to move up. Congratulations!>>> And one more thing--this is a definite pattern with you. You have> some withdrawal, then you start feeling better, then the withdrawal> gets much worse again and you go into a funk. (I think it's probably> the cumulative effect of having gone too fast, actually). And then it> gets better. Every time, it gets better. Hold onto that.>>> Did you try the Pulsatilla? Give it a shot. Keep doing all those> other good things you are doing, and know that you are taking very> good care of yourself. Say it out loud. Remind yourself often. You> are taking charge of your recovery, and you are getting better

every> day.>> And slow down! Make 5% drops instead of 10%. It's not uncommon for> people to need to make smaller cuts as they get closer to the end. > Makes it slow, but everyone does get to the end, and you will too!>>> Blessings,> Kim> co-moderator>>>> --> Visit my art blog at http://kimdenise.blogspot.com/.>> "Thanks to my work everything's going well" --Claude Monet>>> To subscribe to our off-topic Social list go to: >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialWandR/ >> To subscribe to our Truth-in-Health list go to:>> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/truth-in-health>> > Yahoo!

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