Search the Community

From recently published research on JAMA Network Open, "...having a sense of purpose in life is associated with both physical and mental health and overall quality of life. Purposeful living has been defined in various ways. In general, purpose in life can be defined as “a self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals, ”promotes healthy behaviors, and gives meaning to life." Per the research on a cohort of nearly 7000 people over the age of 50, lack of life purpose is a modifiable risk factor associated with a higher level of mortality. [This research, like all, has limitations.] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2734064?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=052419 On the eve of a bright new year - my 2nd in WD - I am trying to develop goals that give meaning to my life. Since 2015, when I stopped working full-time, involuntarily, my purpose disintegrated. Not working is just one of the ways a person loses his or her sense life purpose. There are other ways to create purpose. Is anyone else attempting to formulate or consider new or existing goals while in WD? Or are they trying to get through day by day? The article cites interventions to improve life purpose, quality of life and various health outcomes with the goal of improving life purpose are volunteering, well-being therapy, and meditations. Mindfulness is also cited as one component of life purpose. Association Between Life Purpose and Mortality Among US Adults Older Than 50 Years Aliya Alimujiang, MPH1; Ashley Wiensch, MPH1; Jonathan Boss, MS2; et al Nancy L. Fleischer, PhD, MPH1; Alison M. Mondul, PhD, MPH1; Karen McLean, MD, PhD3; Bhramar Mukherjee, PhD1,2; Celeste Leigh Pearce, PhD, MPH1 Author Affiliations Article Information JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e194270. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270

Hello, I'm new to this site but have known about it for awhile. Two years ago I went through a detox to get off alprazolam (benzo) and alcohol. I was a mess for several years before that. I know now I was experiencing inter-dose withdrawal for years. Alcohol is cross-tolerant and I was using it increasingly over the years I was on alprazolam. I had been on sertraline for several years prior to starting the benzo and continued it through the detox. After that experience, I started reducing the sertraline and had horrific symptoms every time I would make a cut. Towards the end, I got back on a benzo (clonazepam) but managed to get off the sertraline. Shortly after, I tapered the second benzo and have been psych med free for about 10 months now. The entire experience was devastating. I lost all social connections, a relationship, a job, my mental and physical health, my privacy, my dignity, my spirituality, my possessions -- all of it. When I got off everything, I started exercising every day. I ate as healthy as I knew how (have learned much more since). I quit all psychoactive substances including coffee. I stopped seeing my psychiatrist and an unwise therapist I was seeing. My health has been improving and I stopped blood pressure and cholesterol medication. I've lost over 100 pounds so far and I'm just starting to rebuild my professional and social life. They are both non-existent at the moment but because of my progress, I am beginning to address them. My life was hell for close to a decade and questionable for almost another -- all because of psych meds. I'm here to connect with others who've been through or are going through a similar experience who may want to discuss what happened or is happening. I'm interested in making friends and I want to share my experience and learn from others. I think about what I've been through every day and right now, I don't want to forget. I use the pain I feel to help me move forward. I hope to leave it behind at some point. I know there are many who have been or are going through similar and may want to connect. Thank you for this space and the ability to share and connect.

Hi all, I was put on Olanzapine for 4 weeks, but after reading material on the site and others I decided to go off. While taking Olanzapine I could sleep so the doctor prescribed Zopiclone 7.5mg. I've been taking it now for 4 weeks. And last night I cut it out cold turkey and didn't sleep for a single minute. I'm terrified of this withdrawal/insomnia. Has anyone else gone through this? How long should the insomnia last? How do I get through this? Do you recommend going back on a tapering? I also have bipolar and am worried that this insomnia will trigger mania.