To me the most upsetting part is how half the country sees things in the exact opposite way. Many see the institutions as already captured by an authoritarian party, and think Trump’s heavy handed ruling is stomping out the corruption.
How does one even engage with the other side when two realities are so polar opposite?
Even if Trump’s depiction of some deep state were true, why is replacing our institutions with less democratic ones the correct answer? It’s as if half the country has given up on democracy and has decided a more authoritarian rule will solve the US’ problems. History teaches us over and over again that this does not end well, even when it feels like the most appealing approach.
I don’t know what to do. I never thought I’d feel terrified living in my own country.
I’ve been undergoing ketamine IV treatment every 3-4 weeks, and some of my experiences, especially the first few, were also terrifying. It reminded me a lot of the fear and panic I get from getting too high with weed. But at the same time, many of my depression symptoms were significantly improved almost immediately. I feel “unstuck” in the days and weeks following treatment and can course correct some of my stubborn depressive tendencies that have been going on for years.
So that’s annoying. The experiences are unpleasant but the longer term effects are useful.
The anxiety is definitely the hardest part for me, and I have some health-related OCD stuff, so the constant “checking” that I’m not going crazy is challenging too. I was legitimately worried for a little while that it was making me psychotic after, but my doctor confirmed that my symptoms matched intense anxiety and not psychosis so that helped me relax. And they subside most importantly. Now I’ve done ketamine a bunch of times and know it isn’t going to hurt me. I can almost completely relax into it, though a stressful image or feeling I experience can still induce a bit of panic. For some reason those tend to come up right at the end of my session, if they do at all. But regardless, I’ve gotten better at riding those like waves and letting them go.
For someone like myself with high anxiety, I do wonder if there’s a better way to mentally prepare for experiences like this? Maybe some kind of coaching beforehand? I had an intro call, quick health screening, an orientation where was told a bunch of facts, asked if I had any questions, and that was basically it. I didn’t know how incredibly difficult it could be and was not mentally prepared to begin treatment. I’m okay now, but it was not an easy ride. I imagine science is still figuring a lot of this stuff out.
I know little about airplane tech, but do these onboard systems such as PA ever get OTA software updates? Perhaps an update got pushed that runs the prank? Could explain it happening on multiple flights and attendants being unable to stop it.
What’s up with all of the multi-platform outages lately? Seems abnormal looking at historical data. Are there issues affecting the internet backbone or something? Or just a coincidence?
I burned out hard during quarantine and developed both sudden onset tinnitus and a migraine for the first time in my life. The migraine was with a visual aura and was terrifying and debilitating. I was so sure I was having a stroke. I saw a neurologist and a psychiatrist just like the author. Nothing. It was all a “stress-induced” episode. No fancy label, no satisfying diagnosis. And the symptoms have persisted here and there since. I have constant tinnitus and my brain feels different since then. I can’t think or focus as well. It sucks. And for the record, no, I didn’t get COVID (this is asked regularly when I describe my experience, especially after describing what sounds like brain fog).
I’m still not doing well. Just like the author, I’m not “better”. I’m barely hanging in.
I’ve heard numerous similar stories. Stress can do horrible things to the body. Almost everyone I’m close with has shared some kind of anxiety-induced medical something or another story with me. Last year was rough for society as a whole.
Planting a seed takes time. We really wanted to make this all as easy as possible. And raise awareness about how absurd ICOs are getting and how awful NY's BitLicense law is. But mostly make it easy for people to send us Ether.