I love this kind of blog. 

I'll stick my hands into almost anything without a thoutht and now, my daughter close at hand, is going "yuk" all the time.  "Mom, what are you going?  That is so gross."  Dirt, mud, pushing elk dung aside so I can dig a hole for a pretty flower.  I love to eat chips from the bag, get my fingers all kinda gooey and then, don't gross out weebles, lick my fingers clean.  Sooooo good.

Whatever you do madkow be careful of doctors that try to ease your stress, or so they like to think. I've had panic attacks many years and can relate to exactly how you feel. My doctor tried so hard to get me medicated, telling me it wasn't a feeling I could just 'suck up' or get through, that I needed to be medicated in order to feel 'normal' and stop having panic attacks. I am not one for taking meds and I certainly didnt wanna get dependant on something that works and then have to stop cold turkey if I got pregnant. I'll definately have to pick up that book too.

I never realized so many people had quirks sticking thier hand in a bag. It doesn't bother me one bit.  I like my chips broken, I'll actually squeeze them into the corner and crush them so they are tiny, small, little pieces (I think I learned to do that when I was little so I didnt have to share them) and it is impossible to stick your hand in without being covered in tiny flakes of BBQ goodness! yummy!

Medication isn't for everyone, but it certainly should not be discounted either ala Tom Cruise. There's no shame in having to use medication if warranted. My son-in-law was severly beaten by a group of young Hispanics. He developed a panic disorder (but did not develop a hatred or fear of Hispanics) - he couldn't go into a movie theater, could barely eat in a restaurant - he had to be able to see the door, couldn't ride elevators, couldn't even drive in the fast lane for fear of being "trapped". As hard as he tried and all the books he read, finally medication was what saved him. He didn't get dependent on it (an unfounded fear for a lot of people) and no longer needs it.

lol Smokey, chip crumbs drive me nuts! I do use them once in a while as a topping for a casserole.

What type of meds did they give him if you don't mind me asking? I honestly did try the med route for a few months but went away on a short vacation, forgot them, and then I felt a million times worse without them than I ever had felt before. That made me decide with no uncertainty that it was not right for me. You are right though, for some people, it could be the answer, I did have some 'emergency' pills that worked great but havent found a doctor yet here so cannot get them refilled.

My son in law was on Paxil too.

I've been on anti-depressants over the years, the one that worked best was Zoloft. I had to quit taking it because one of the side effects was realistic violent bloody nightmares. With anything, you have to find what works for you. I tried several more and finally settled on Lexapro. I'm quitting those and will go back to Sam-e. Just as expensive, but it's a natural substance and no side effects.

Technically Scott, one should wean off anything. I'm stubborn, I quit cold turkey each time.There were no crashes or burns for me, but it is risky.

I just wish depression and anxiety had been recognized sooner. I think anti-d's would've saved my mother's life. She killed herself in 1994. Her doctor told her she was just an old woman and would have to "get a grip". So she did, on a .38