And now I feel bad for taking as a quip, Hec. Sorry about that.

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Xanax is the only thing that allows me to cope if I have a full-blown panic attack (and I will admit that it was one of my emergency supply that was offered when Aimee was having one at Prom. I just couldn't stand idly by when I knew I could help her. I guess I have flexible morality when it comes to these things.). Luckily, Zoloft has made it a rarity for me. Still I do find there is a stigma attached to it, more so than with my AD.

Not that this has anything to do with any of your comments--just my own 2 cents on the stigma issue.

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Kitties are okay if their fur gets a little glittered, yes? Kittenish's shiny black fur is a wee bit sparklier than normal. I suspect my Black Pearl bath last night is to blame. After all she's been through, I don't one reckless night with Lush to be her downfall.

I hate that Xanax, Zoloft *AND* lithium still get the bad rap and the stigma. It would be easier if mood disorders whether situational, biochemical or [some other kind that I can't think of but suspect there is] were something people in general didn't see as personal failings. Broken leg? Sure, take care of it medically and use a damn crutch while it heals. Panicking because you are personally being threatened along with your child by proximity? There's the overall sense that medication is an unneeded crutch. It rankles.

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I'm sorry if what I said rankled you Cass and Kristin. I am a firm believer in using pharmacology to help where and when it is needed, and if that did not come across, I should have chosen my words better. I was reacting to what seemed like an off the cuff quip on Hec's part, and not the fact that someone would be helped by Xanax, or any other drug.

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And a Xanax scrip. Seriously, she's flipping out like eighteen mammals.

This rubs me the wrong way, Hec. I can't help but think that she's got a perfectly good reason for flipping out. And also, any time a male of the species suggests that a female of the species is getting hysterical over something and should be medicated -- well, my hackles are raised.

I didn't read Hec's comment as "hysterical female; get the drugs" -- I read it as "She's going through -- and has *been* going through -- WAY too much uber-stressful crap and is therefore responding in the only sensible way, which is to flip out. The flipping out is making her unable to sleep, function, etc., and if Xanax will help her get some much-needed sleep/chill time, then get the meds."

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No, no, no Lee. Wasn't reacting to what you said at all. Lemme unvague that up a bit.

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FWIW: if anyone is morally flexible on percocet...

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FWIW: if anyone is morally flexible on percocet...

For gods' sakes, don't go to Tijuana with Trudy!

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Lee -

I am a firm believer in using pharmacology to help where and when it is needed

As am I. Seeking actual medical help for anything from diabetes to bipolar to treating bruises to childbirth is a *good* thing to me.

and if that did not come across, I should have chosen my words better. I was reacting to what seemed like an off the cuff quip on Hec's part, and not the fact that someone would be helped by Xanax, or any other drug.

Your words were fine. My hackles were up for other reasons, none of them what you said. I feel like psychopharms (besides being a damn funny word, I mean really - psychopharm... heh...) are hard enough to accept, knowing that there is an extra-special stigma makes it just so much harder. The world annoyed me, not you at all, Lee.

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Seeking actual medical help for anything from diabetes to bipolar to treating bruises to childbirth is a *good* thing to me.

Plus, no more rage boy kitty!

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