Monthly Archives: March 2013

Small World

Posted on March 20, 2013 by toujoursgai

Small World can be the size of my apartment, or my bedroom, or my bed. It’s a space that exists in the gaps of the world, in between conversations and obligations. It’s made of shadows, daydreams, and online movies. Small … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, AvPD, Being Crazy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Fiction and Mental Illness: A Lifelong Fascination

Posted on March 20, 2013 by toujoursgai

Some people collect dolls, or postcards, or cookie jars. In my house, I trip over stacks of books about people with mental illness. Depression, schizophrenia, Tourette’s, addiction — the specific malady doesn’t matter, as long as it affects the mind. … Continue reading →

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Feeling the Water You Swim In

Posted on March 17, 2013 by toujoursgai

Individuals with AvPD view the world as unfriendly, cold, and humiliating(Millon & Davis, 1996, p, 265). People are seen as potentially critical, uninterested, and demeaning(Beck, 1990, pp. 43-44); they will probably cause shame and embarrassment for individuals with AvPD. – … Continue reading →

Posted in AvPD, Being Crazy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Pet Peeve Corner: Playing Doctor

Posted on March 17, 2013 by toujoursgai

It happens a lot on message boards; sometimes it comes up in real-life conversations. Someone is describing a person they have a hard time getting along with. They describe a few irritating or hurtful behaviors. And every time, the speculation … Continue reading →

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Sobriety: The Glitz and Glamour

Posted on March 13, 2013 by toujoursgai

An old AA cliche is that a relapse starts to happen long before you go back to drinking/using. It starts with a shift in your thought process, lowered expectations, a new grudge. A little over two months out from my … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction Recovery, Being Crazy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Doing Well

Posted on March 9, 2013 by toujoursgai

My therapist said I’m currently the strongest she’s ever seen me. I like that she said “strong,” rather than “happy” or “normal,” because that really is the goal. I still feel plenty of anxiety, but for possibly the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in Good Days, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment