The Other Me
An ongoing serial about neurosis, beginning with anxiety that burgeoned through my teenage years, and grew into issues also with depression and OCD, amongst other things.
The Other Me
‘That Same Old Feeling’ iii. Because I’d had so many flus and ear infections through the year, my sister-in-law gave me a dietary supplement that was meant to boost my immunity, but after a month of taking it, I developed stomach pains. Sometimes, it felt like my stomach was shrivelling up, the way a balloon does. Other times, a line of pain would move down through my stomach over the course of a day. Cramps and stabbing pains were periodic, as well as bloating, as well as times it felt like rats were trying to chew their way out. Dr Warren examined me and told me my stomach was fine,…
The Other Me
‘That Same Old Feeling’ ii. During the next week I adhered to a strict regime: I’d wake up, do some editing or writing, finish at 5.00, and then around 6.00 I’d take an hour walk. In the evening, I would totally relax – no writing, no editing, not even any reading; I’d just lay back and watch a movie and switch off. A week later, the head pains went. Even Dr Warren was surprised by my improvement. My victory was short-lived. Whilst the headaches didn’t return, the low mood creeped back in. Sometimes I’d feel bleak. Another night, I was drifting off in front of a courtroom drama on television…