kuch's recent activity

  1. Comment on Does the Internet feel American centric to you? in ~talk

    kuch
    Link Parent
    That's hilarious (and sad) about your prompt. US Election time is indeed insane. Even people in my (very distant from US) country go a little crazy with their consumption of US election politics...

    That's hilarious (and sad) about your prompt.
    US Election time is indeed insane. Even people in my (very distant from US) country go a little crazy with their consumption of US election politics and it wracks my nerves. With news sites I still understand, because they are us-soil publications.

    4 votes

  2. Comment on Does the Internet feel American centric to you? in ~talk

    kuch
    Link Parent
    Do you mind elaborating on how US centric other language spaces are? (What languages / sites; what's the context? etc).

    Do you mind elaborating on how US centric other language spaces are? (What languages / sites; what's the context? etc).

    3 votes

  3. Comment on Flustering quickly, often escalating to panic in ~health

    kuch
    Link
    In addition to what Monarda's great response - would journaling and meditation help? Journaling could help you identify your triggers? Maybe just write a few points about each flustering...

    In addition to what Monarda's great response - would journaling and meditation help? Journaling could help you identify your triggers? Maybe just write a few points about each flustering experience - what was happening before, when did things turn, how did you feel before arguing and how do you actually feel after arguing?
    I personally don't understand how meditation helps, but everyone recommends it for similar situations.

    3 votes

  4. Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books

    kuch
    Link Parent
    Could you tell me how Driven to Distraction is, once you've read it?

    Could you tell me how Driven to Distraction is, once you've read it?

    1 vote

  5. Comment on What's a hidden health issue you live with? in ~health

    kuch
    Link Parent
    That sounds incredibly hard and scary. I'm sorry that you have to live with so much uncertainty and the reminders. Not to sound trite, but I hope you have support and people you can talk to about...

    That sounds incredibly hard and scary. I'm sorry that you have to live with so much uncertainty and the reminders. Not to sound trite, but I hope you have support and people you can talk to about this.

    4 votes

  6. Comment on Dating in Delhi when you're poor in ~life

    kuch
    Link Parent
    2500 is an upper middle class movie date in Indian metros. Good seats at a late night show, plus popcorn and a drink, easily cost 2k. But it's strange to put that figure in this piece, imo.

    2500 is an upper middle class movie date in Indian metros. Good seats at a late night show, plus popcorn and a drink, easily cost 2k. But it's strange to put that figure in this piece, imo.

    3 votes

  7. Comment on Thoughts on SSRIs? in ~health.mental

    kuch
    (edited )
    Link
    Hey, fellow enjoyer of SSRIs. I started them about a year ago, and am now in the process of weaning off. I'm completely with you, in your praise. Someone already posted Scott Siskind'd blog, which...

    Hey, fellow enjoyer of SSRIs. I started them about a year ago, and am now in the process of weaning off. I'm completely with you, in your praise. Someone already posted Scott Siskind'd blog, which I have found to be a very useful resource on SSRI's specifically. I'm still in the process of finding a good therapist and building my meditation habits because I believe that those are key to my long term health. That being said, I was trying those things without the escitalopram, and life was nowhere near what it is now. Somedays the flowers just pop, and music hits different, and I can just sit and read a book for fun. Couldn't do that for years prior to medication.

    I experienced most side effects in the first few weeks - everytime I was upping my dosage. It was awful, I had brain fog, upturned sleep cycle, increased sense of smell & nausea, anxiety, generally feeling hot, even one instance of a brain zap. Thankfully, none of these lasted, and I was fine once I'd settled on a dosage.

    I've also experienced mild anorgasmia, but, since I'm not anxious all the while, the actual sex is more fun. So I can't really see this as a negative? On the other hand, I've experienced a consistent increase in appetite which I suppose is healthy. But I just find it annoying af because I've had to triple the amount I cook (and clean).

    I regret not taking the leap earlier, I waited for about 7-8 years before speaking to a psychiatrist. My life would have been very different if I'd had access to SSRIs and therapy when I first started to fall sick.

    That being said, I sometimes wonder at how much I've changed because of my depression and the increased self awareness and ability to relate to other people with anxiety, etc which I found hard to do prior to developing it. I'm not saying people should suffer for this sort of knowledge, but I can't help but see the upside to my illness too.

    I don't share your worries about the 'real me' reg. SSRIs. Kiskind's blog points out that we don't feel like 'different people' on caffeine, so why treat other drugs differently. I'm happy to chat with you on this issue, if you have thoughts.

    4 votes