Caitlin Kinnunen has also been very vocal on social media about struggling with anxiety and panic attacks - she had to call out of a few performances of The Prom because of it & even had to call out mid-show a couple of times due to onstage panic attacks. She's very upfront and honest about it which I really appreciate in terms of lessening the stigma around mental health, especially in such a high-pressure career.
It's saddening and comforting to know others feel the same. I too struggle horribly with depression and anxiety. I've tried therapy and medication. Medication I felt made me robotic, almost emotionless, and the side effects were awful. Also, the problem was and still is very much present. Some days it is very hard to find any kind of relief. And there really is a stigma. I'm always worried about people looking at me like I'm odd or crazy because I'm sad most of the time.
Broadway/musical theater is a very helpful outlet, but for me on the opposite end as a patron. I've gone into the city alone for long weekend to stay in a hotel and just watch a bunch of Broadway shows.
ArtMan said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "6853, I’ve been on Prozac on and off (mostly on) for about 24 years. It has probably saved my life at least once."
Does it help your OCD? I find the older I get, the worst my OCD has become."
Yes and no. Most of my OCD is internal (obsessive, repetitive worries...basically anxiety), and Prozac helps with that. But for my main external OCD involving personal cleanliness and absolutely loathing public bathrooms...it’s actually worse than ever.
However, my biggest issue is depression. I still get depressed a lot, but Prozac has made me a “functioning depressive.” Without Prozac I have seriously contemplated suicide. With Prozac, I still have those thoughts, but I know that I know I would never act on them.
I also take Clonopin to help me sleep (the obsessive worrying can make it difficult for me to fall asleep and/or stay asleep), as well as when I feel an anxiety attack coming on. I will sometimes take it before going onstage, especially early in the run if I am not yet confident in my performance, I know there are critics and other VIP’s in the house, etc. I almost always take it before auditions.
When you mentioned Prozac I looked at the side effects and it stated insomnia. I already have issues sleeping and my brain knows that I must take something. So it is ambien , tylanol pm, or melatonin at night. The last two give me crazy dreams and aren't always effective. So for me, to take something that will give me increased chance not to be able to sleep, is a big no. I am going to look into this Clonopin. I don't think my OCD is as bad as yours. I am concerned about germs, but only inside my home. Using public restrooms, gym showers,shared bathrooms, etc don't bother me. It's when I get home, that is the problem. I can't sit on my furniture in the same clothes as I sat that day in a movie theater or if I showerd at the gym. I must take a shower in my home immediately when I get home. I am constantly concerned about cleaning my hands. I don't wear outside shoes in my home and don't allow workers either. They must put a bootie over their shoes if they need to come inside my home. I don't even want them walking in their socks in my home. I guess we all have our degrees of cookoo. When I was in my 20's I would run around all night, doing everything under the sun and just jump into bed, many times without showering. The thought of doing that now is a big no no.
joined:4/8/19
joined:
4/8/19
Posted: 9/11/19 at 4:09pm