We are in Columbus, at our swanky Doubletree (which is not the hotel where the event is), and I am full of Xanax. We stopped at the event hotel to register first, and as a fundraiser for a women's shelter, they were selling ribbons for $1 you can attach to your event badge (like "Top," "Bottom," etc). One of the registration people had a badge ribbon that said "Free Hugs." I checked to see if there was one that said "No Hugs," because I would have bought 10. Alas, they did not exist. (There was one that said "Fire Slut," and I thought it said "TIRE Slut," and I was all, "THAT'S a new fetish!" And then I realized perhaps I need to go to the eye doctor.)

So now we are getting dressed up and headed back for the party. Wish me chill. And a human hamster ball.

Chill ~ma...extra strength!

I hope the Xanax holds and the people are unassy, Tep.

and I thought it said "TIRE Slut,"

Like, for race cars? Because I like Goodyears but, mmm, Pirellis.

All this talk of panic attacks and anxiety is so familiar to me.

I went the self medication with alcohol route for awhile but that doesn't work well for some one who inherited her mother's black-out drunkeness.

Medication has saved my life, and I take a lot of it. I always enter a new situation warily and am very quiet most of the time. I have to wait for others to engage with me because I do not have the gift of being able to talk to just anyone about anything the way one of my sister's and more than one best friend in meat-space can.

It really is a marvel to watch them do it and I so wish I had that. I've learned to smile and nod and say hi, until others strike up more of a conversation with me.

Tom, I have never had good results with Freudians. I did ok with a Jungian who was very patient with my refusal to analyze my dreams.

Tep, I hope you can convince Tim to go and that you both have fun.

eta: Go, Tep with your bad, fabulous self!

My analyst can be like Scrappy's in that he doesn't say much, but can be very insightful.

and I thought it said "TIRE Slut,"

Like, for race cars? Because I like Goodyears but, mmm, Pirellis.

Heh. I have NO idea. Which is why I was so boggled. But there are weirder things, that's for damn sure.

I had one therapist - the last one - who didn't really talk to me during the session. I didn't like it; I felt isolated and like he wasn't really interested. I only saw him about four times. My favorite therapist - and not coincidentally, the one I feel I got the most good from - was actively engaged with me during sessions. She never talked over me, but she would ask questions that made me think about things in new ways, and she would guide my rambling to things I didn't even know I was trying to say. She was really good. If she weren't three hours away, I'd try to see her again.

Tom, if you've been seeing this therapist for a while and you feel like you're not really connecting with him or getting much good from the sessions, don't feel bound to him - take a break for a while and try out some other therapists. Or, you know, ignore me. YMMV.

Heh, brenda, I see what you did there.

Many hugs to you, Tom.

And no hugs to Steph, but I hope she's enjoying her event.

le nubian, I've taken Diflucan many times (sigh) and it generally works within a day or so. Are you having symptoms that you want to fix now, or would it be more of a preventative thing?

I am generally a pretty social person, and I enjoy meeting new people. It's sometimes anxiety-making, for sure, but I know I don't have nearly the same level of anxiety as a lot of people here. M does have some social anxiety, so I've learned a lot in the last few years about what he needs/wants and how to be supportive of him in social situations, which is something I'd never really needed to consider before. I know I don't get it right all the time, but I think on balance we do pretty well. All this to say: I have sympathy for both Teppy and Tim in this situation, and I hope you guys are both able to have a good time this weekend, each in your own way. And yay for Xanax!