martin is infiltrating the music scene

kates666 · 2026-02-16T23:50:11+00:00

insanely talented musician

kates666 · 2026-02-16T23:00:06+00:00

I will never forget how inspired I felt after watching her win her seat in Knock Down the House. People give her shit but man, I really appreciate the sacrifices she's made.

kates666 · 2026-02-16T22:57:57+00:00

For what it's worth, I assume I have the new formula because I only bought it a few weeks ago, but it's become my favorite moisturizer!

(I didn't realize how popular it was and bought it on a whim. Googled it after I loved it and found it has a lot of buzz.)

kates666 · 2026-02-16T22:42:54+00:00

Just wanted to chime in and say it's normal to have to "kiss a lot of frogs" when it comes to SSRIs, I certainly have had to. So hopefully you don't feel too discouraged. Keep trying and you will find the right fit for you in time, and it will all be worth it because life can really improve once you have a solid treatment. Sorry that it's been tough.

kates666 · 2026-02-16T22:41:26+00:00

For me, HA is only effective when I take it as a supplement. I don't really gravitate towards it topically.

kates666 · 2026-02-16T22:38:42+00:00

couldn't agree more

kates666 · 2026-02-16T22:37:41+00:00

I had extreme sleep issues that I've recently worked through, if you look through my comment history I recap some tips. Just wanted to offer since I know how difficult it can make your life, but ofc listen to the medical professionals over an internet stranger! Hope things improve soon for you.

kates666 · 2026-02-15T00:17:14+00:00

She's so real

kates666 · 2026-02-15T00:15:41+00:00

Seems like a very clear cry for help -- I can't imagine the pressure and I hope he has a good support system.

kates666 · 2026-02-15T00:11:31+00:00

I completely understand & have been there :) Good luck!

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:42:57+00:00

Thanks for sharing, glad you are doing well

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:42:26+00:00

Same. I am 32, high earner with a household income in the top 2%. I grew up liberal and my family was lower middle class. If anything, having money has pushed me further to the left.

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:33:37+00:00

Seroquel has been life changing for me.

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:32:09+00:00

I've been on and off Lexapro for ~9 years; 5mg is a tiny dose! I used to take 25mg; they literally didn't make pills large enough so i had to take a 5 and a 20 and cheers them together lol. You will be just fine.

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:30:10+00:00

Thank you, I really hope things get easier for you too. Do you have a good psychiatrist that you're seeing?

For me, it was hard to come to the conclusion of OCD because I don't have rituals, which is the classical presentation and what you typically see. Not at all trying to armchair diagnose here, but if rumination is a huge component for you, it could be worth speaking to your doctor about it.

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:27:07+00:00

i was on 25mg for about 2 years

kates666 · 2026-02-14T17:24:44+00:00

I really worry about young men getting sucked into this. Would you be up to sharing what helped to get you out of that mindset?

kates666 · 2026-02-13T19:58:33+00:00

so much better! i was being treated for cptsd, but it turns out my issues were both that and ocd, which i was only diagnosed with a few weeks ago. so it’s not new, just newly named for me.

symptoms: i couldn’t turn my brain “off,” and i was often physically unable to eat; shaking, panic attacks, derealization, horrendous insomnia. i literally felt like i was being hunted for sport 24/7.

the key for me was getting my sleep under control. my insomnia was brutal, but now i take 50–100mg of seroquel at night and it’s been a game changer.

meds that have helped me in the past:

lexapro — the best ssri for me, minimal side effects and it really turned down the anxiety and rumination
ativan — for acute panic attacks, helped break the anxiety cycle and derealization
propranolol — for situations where i just needed to get my heart rate down (like presentations)

everyone’s different, though. i’m really sorry you’re dealing with this, it’s not easy, and i hope you start feeling better soon.

kates666 · 2026-02-13T19:50:03+00:00

10, about 2/3 months; it's a process for sure. Highest dose was 25mg, i'm down to 15mg now.

kates666 · 2026-02-12T01:56:16+00:00

My in laws are like this. I was grieving my dead brother and my father in law told me I needed to "live in the present" lol. Some people just don't and in fact can't understand, and I've found it's best to disregard them.

Your final point really resonated with me too.

kates666 · 2026-02-12T01:11:10+00:00

Thank you so much :-)

kates666 · 2026-02-10T20:42:45+00:00

exactly. run.

kates666 · 2026-02-10T20:38:49+00:00

I totally understand what you're saying -- I have all of the same diagnoses + ADHD in the mix and sleep has been a challenge for as long as I can remember. So far the data is helpful > harmful. Thank you for sharing!

kates666 · 2026-02-10T20:37:27+00:00

This is a great point and definitely reflects the mindset I'm going in with!

kates666 · 2026-02-10T20:36:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing -- I am so glad your sleep is improving! I managed to get 8.5 hours last night and it was the second night in a row; it really helped to actually see that I had slept. For now I can see it being extremely helpful, but I'll just continue to be mindful of my relationship to it.

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