dare to mention protracted wd on facebook?

[[an...]]

do i pretend that i am happy and go lucky on facebook when i.m not?  I can,t fake that i am happy and got a good job with kids,becuz i got neither! I am on disability and have been since 91 when i had my breakdown. Now this wd had made me more disabled and i feel like i don.t fit in anywhere in society!    angel

[[os...]]

I pretend on facebook... when i feel i can go on there, which was a lot until the last week, i do not think others understand, best to keep it here and within your family and closest friends, people you trust.

 

Hang in there, it´s hard at times i know... but we´ll get there and be well again.

 

 

Oscar

[[Fl...]]

Benzo wd made me realize just how stupid facebook really is. When I had the ability to pretend to have a great life like everyone else does  it wasn't such a big deal, but then I got my ass handed to me by this drug and it made me realize how ridiculous it is that everyone is broadcasting themselves on there the way they are.

 

In other words, don't feel bad for not being able to "keep up" with everyone else. Half the people on there are trying to convince everyone else (and themselves) that they have a great life when they are actually miserable. Especially the ones who feel the need to tell everyone how great their life is on a daily basis. It's all a bunch of smoke and mirrors.

[[Ga...]]

Most people on there use it to brag, show home improvements, trips etc from what I see.

I rarely post anymore on FB.

They dont post the bad stuff from their life thats for sure and Im not sure if anyone knows what protracted w/d is. Its best to keep in touch with others who have it?

[[Sh...]]

Am a very private person, so wouldn't post this on facebook.  I have a facebook account, but just to keep an eye on my kids activities and keep up with old friends.  Seldom comment and just 'like' things when I feel like encouraging someone.  I am applalled at some of the stuff people put out there.  A friend of mine posted the letter her husband wrote her on Valentine's Day.  It was embarressing!

[[mo...]]

Benzo wd made me realize just how stupid facebook really is. When I had the ability to pretend to have a great life like everyone else does  it wasn't such a big deal, but then I got my ass handed to me by this drug and it made me realize how ridiculous it is that everyone is broadcasting themselves on there the way they are.

 

In other words, don't feel bad for not being able to "keep up" with everyone else. Half the people on there are trying to convince everyone else (and themselves) that they have a great life when they are actually miserable. Especially the ones who feel the need to tell everyone how great their life is on a daily basis. It's all a bunch of smoke and mirrors.

 

Floridayguy, you took the words out of my mouth. I have always thought this about FB!! That people are going on about how "GREAT" their lives are just a little too much. But then I thought maybe I was just being bitter. And that was BEFORE (as you put it) I too had my ass handed to me by Ativan. Sure puts things in perspective, doesn't it? I haven't been on FB in months, and truthfully I don't even notice it missing in my life.

[[ju...]]

I second that. Never took FB too seriously. Posted a couple of 'down' statements; got no reply. Wonder if I (falsely) said that I had a book contract with a major publishing house and a hot younger musician boyfriend and a cool car and all those other special BS effects, if myFB 'friends'--use the term loosely--would "like" such a post, or come through the monitor with their applause.....

 

Regards,

 

jd

 

p.s.: I'd posted affiliation with a couple of borderline personality pages, and got the idea that this was off-putting, esp. to potential employers and other snoops out there, so I removed it. Guess that makes me a wuss....

 

[[Fl...]]

Yea, when I was forced to take a step back from my life I realized just how ridiculous the whole thing is. I still use it but I look at it in a different way. When there is nothing good in your life (or that's the way it seems) you realize what a gift it is to have the ability to simply feel pleasure. Not that I did a lot of fishing for attention before wd but now I realize that trying to impress a bunch of people who aren't even really my friends just isn't important. 

[[Ju...]]

Benzo wd made me realize just how stupid facebook really is. When I had the ability to pretend to have a great life like everyone else does  it wasn't such a big deal, but then I got my ass handed to me by this drug and it made me realize how ridiculous it is that everyone is broadcasting themselves on there the way they are.

 

In other words, don't feel bad for not being able to "keep up" with everyone else. Half the people on there are trying to convince everyone else (and themselves) that they have a great life when they are actually miserable. Especially the ones who feel the need to tell everyone how great their life is on a daily basis. It's all a bunch of smoke and mirrors.

 

"Like"

 

I do use it to check on friends from time to time but have never really gotten into it like a lot of people have. I don't hide this from anyone though. I've learned to try different subjects when corresponding with people because even I'm tired of obsessing, but I'm not hiding something that isn't my fault.

[[sw...]]

I'd say that it depends on what kind of a friends list you have, but by and large there is no real reason not to mention having some sort of an illness without being too specific.  If someone asks you what's up you don't have to answer them, or you can be vague and say you were badly sickened by the side effects of a medicine you were rx'ed.

 

That is more or less what I've done.  I have a fairly chosey hand picked list of people that I actually am friends with, I don't mention the illness that often, and when I do I just mention having an illness or that I am currently disabled without specifically saying what is up.  This has been going on for so long that all of my good friends know what is going on, anyway, and the others at least have a general sense that I'm sick because I haven't been able to work in a while, anyway.

 

Best wishes.

 

[[Ol...]]

Yes, you really find out who your friends are with this and not only on FB.

 

At first I tried to explain to people I know who are 'good friends'.

They looked at me sideways and didn't get in touch.

 

Then I was diagnosed recently with Vit B12 deficiency as well, which has many symptoms the same as w/d, and currently give myself two B12 injections a week.

I tell my 'friends' this and when they say they've never heard of it I suggest they 'google' it.

 

Shortly after I have phone calls asking 'How are you' and even a get well card.

 

I'm in the 'real' illness bracket now in their books.

 

I've found many doctors have the same way of looking at it.

 

SAD :'(

[[el...]]

I went back onto FB this past September after being gone for 2 years with this w/d. It was like a declaration (at least to myself) that I am now well enough to be a bit more social. My first post was  - “I've been gone for a couple years, but I am slowly returning from my journey. Hope I don't have much further to go.”

 

My second post (about two weeks later) was - “I believe that this benzodiazepine (tranquilizer) withdrawal is finally beginning to loosen its hold on me after nearly 2 years (14 months of being completely off the so-called “med“). I’ve had some moments of relative calm this morning. I have “born the unbearable,” and I am hoping that what remains is just simply “bearable.” I believe I am winning a battle that seemed completely “unwinnable” only a few months ago. God is gracious.”

 

I have gotten responses from others who say they missed me and they are glad that I am back. No one has ever pretended to “understand” what I have been through, but they know I’ve been through something.   

 

Subsequent posts just kind of describe my positive progress in a very general way. I only have a few dozen “friends” there (mostly family), but, if any of them ever have a problem with benzos (or they have friends or family with benzo problems), they will be able to maybe let them know about me and that I got through it. I could be a “resource” for them. We can always use any positive reinforcement from anyone who has escaped the clutches of the beast.

 

I like to play Lexulous with my niece too on FB. Part of my “therapy” as well - plus it’s becoming fun again. The beast is letting go.

 

eli

 

[[Sh...]]

To Eli,

 

 

 

 

[[mo...]]

 

I do use it to check on friends from time to time but have never really gotten into it like a lot of people have. I don't hide this from anyone though. I've learned to try different subjects when corresponding with people because even I'm tired of obsessing, but I'm not hiding something that isn't my fault.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels no need to "hide" my illness. I wondered if perhaps it was inappropriate that I was so open about it. It does seem to make certain people uncomfortable. But if I'd broken an arm or had a surgery I know I would be getting a bit more understanding from people. For the most part people are great. They do admit openly that they cannot relate. I can't shake the worry that people think I am "crazy" or making this stuff up. Esp. my husband. He can be a real doubter some times and that makes the healing a bit more challenging. I keep telling him to get on line and do some reading about it. I guess that's why we turn to the forum. To chat with those who truly do understand.

[[Fl...]]

I don't "hide" my situation but there's a big difference between talking about it to someone one on one and broadcasting it to a bunch of people on facebook. Of course, this depends on who sees your facebook page, but for me it would be social suicide to say what I would really like to say. People just don't understand. And not only that, I think they are a little judgmental when they hear benzodiazapine dependency/addiction. Hell, my own mom is a nurse and I get the feeling she looks at me funny when I talk about this! So I try to keep it to a minimum.

 

I know you want to save other people the pain but remember, our words mean little to nothing to someone who lacks the ability to conceptualize the horror. When I was taking the drug someone warned me about it and I totally blew it off because I didn't understand a damn thing about half-life, dependency, addiction.....all that good stuff that I quickly learned about and learned to CARE about when it hit me. If the words don't come from a doctor....pffffft......

 

Choose wisely who you discuss this with. It's not going to do you any good to alienate your social circle once you heal.

[[sp...]]

I basically see social networks as a way of self-advertising, in that, that's the stuff that's going to come up when potential employers etc look me over. I think people who air their dirty laundry on Facebook etc are asking for trouble long term.

 

If I don't know someone well enough to communicate with them through other means, then they probably have no business knowing that I'm withdrawing from benzos.