Dealing with loss of income/job:

Here’s a message for everyone who has lost their job due to benzo withdrawal syndrome.

I ran into a guy I used to work with at a previous company from a few years ago. Here’s how the conversation went:

He said “Are you still working at (company)?”

I said “no, I’m still unemployed“.

He said “Really? What do you do all day?”

This was a question I wasn’t prepared for and at first I panicked and thought to myself “oh my God, what DO I do all day”? Then…it dawned on me…I’m fighting a secret battle to save my mind and my very soul. I spend all my energy researching this horrible curse, interacting with others who are going through the same thing and experimenting with the right diet and supplements to restore some form of normalcy to my life. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I am probably working harder than I ever have in my entire life 24/7 just to keep myself from going insane. And a wave of calmness came over me and all of a sudden I felt proud of myself for fighting the toughest battle I’ve ever faced.

This is our “job” now! Fighting Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome. And that is something all of us should be proud of. I don’t know many people that could endure so much physical and emotional pain, embarrassment, humiliation, guilt and anger all at once and still get up every day.

So I answered his question by simply saying “I’m working on something big”. And that answer was the truth, in fact, it was an understatement.

I just want everyone to give themselves a pat on the back for fighting this battle every second of the day and winning. This is our new job as far as I’m concerned. And it’s the hardest one we will ever have.

Hope this post helps everyone to feel good about themselves tonight and show yourself some compassion and love. You have all earned it.

Peace and love to all!