I spent 2014 in an acute state of fear. Yeah, I know that seems hyperbolic, but I was quite terrified. The chronic pain I had been experiencing from the neuropathy of fibromyalgia had levelled up to a state where it felt like someone had injected several areas of my body with burning hot, vibrating curling … Continue reading
Category Archives: Anxiety
A Message from the Editor About the COVID-19 Pandemic
CW: mentions of eugenics and ableism Warm greetings from your friendly neighbourhood SpAN editor! I just wanted to say I’m aware that many of us Spoonies are feeling tense right now because of the pandemic. I definitely am. But the Spoonie Authors Network is a forum of caring and community, and we want it to … Continue reading
Getting Stuck After a Trigger
Hey, ho, it’s your Spoonie Authors Network editor! I’ve not posted for a wee while but wanted to share something today. While I’m basically an upbeat and maybe frighteningly friendly person, I am also a human who manages mental illness. I am blessed to be surrounded by caring friends and family, and I love my … Continue reading
The Story Carved into my Flesh
I forget sometimes, you see. My memory isn’t what it used to be. I forget names and places. There are chunks of my young adulthood from which I retain only the sketchiest of memories. So, I guess it makes sense that I forget this, too. It’s been 18 years since my cancer diagnosis, when they … Continue reading
Mental Illness is More Than Meets the Eye
This week Caro Fréchette shares a poem that reflects their personal experience dealing with other people’s perception of mental illness . ~Ed. You see me smile when you come in, brightly, because that’s the only way I know how You think I am happy What you don’t see is I’ve thought of dying five times since … Continue reading
Anxiety sucks. Can I get an Amen?
Do I really need to add to that headline? I’m a few hours after recovering from my second Alert Status Red panic attack in less than a week. I’ve been under an enormous amount of stress since October of last year. Aside from my Usual Crappy Fibro symptoms, last fall I had severe vertigo, which … Continue reading