I encourage everyone to read and give this some thought. I know many support A$, but as with every organization, you should always make sure your time, talent and treasure are doing what you intended.

Well, a certain social media platform changed the rules again. I had to create a community page for this blog over there. If you’d like to see what other things are interesting to me, please “like” the page at https://www.facebook.com/oystersandlife. Thanks!

Lately, it seems as if anxiety is everywhere. I know it’s because I’m feeling it, so I see it more. For some, anxiety is just part of the flight or fight response that is part of our DNA. A job interview, an upcoming test, a doctor’s appointment or a dentist appointment can all instill a certain amount of anxiety in anyone. It’s okay. Anxiety just shows you’re still human.

But what about anxiety that goes beyond that initial flight/fight response? Let’s call it anxiety on steroids. Again, for some it’s just part of life and something that can be managed with deep breathing or a bowl of ice cream. For others, this type of anxiety can be crippling. Some people find even a trip to the grocery store so stressful they get physically ill at just the thought of taking care of that task. It’s a life changer, literally, as they try to manage daily life with the least amount of anxiety as possible.

Right now, I’m incredibly anxious. I’m anxious to the point of jittery during the day and insomnia at night. It’s not pretty to see, especially for the people who know me. For some of them, it’s downright frightening to see me “stuck” and unable to do everything I normally do. It scares me too.

I know in my mind that this is short-lived…triggered by an upcoming event. Once I get past the event, I know I’ll be okay. Just making it to the event is my challenge right now. Fear of the unknown is driving my anxiety machine at full steam. Most people get anxious when faced with this type of event anyway. Because I have so many bad experiences with this type of event, you could say my anxiety is taking a triple dose of steroids.

What to do. Breathe, check. Walk, check. Refocus, check. Try not to worry, check. Ummmmm, didn’t work. I’d say take a stiff drink, but that’s not my thing. So, now what?

I’ll manage, most likely using better living through chemistry for the next few days. Nope, there’s nothing wrong with that either. For anyone who wants to judge me for using anti-anxiety medications…you’ve obviously never been where I am right now.

Your challenge: Help me end the stigma. Help others understand that sometimes life throws us curveballs and we have to catch that ball as best we know how. There is no shame in seeking help. There is no shame is appropriate use of medication. If it makes it possible for me to face my fear, that’s a good thing. Be grateful you don’t live with crippling anxiety. And then, hug your support systems…partners, spouses, children and friends. Because they’re the ones who help us live through every single day.

By now, most people are familiar with the online search engine Google. Yes, there are many out there, so feel free to generalize this information to the one you use. Never before have we had access to this much information at our fingertips. From finding articles for school projects to world events to fact checking the latest satire article, we turn to the Internet for advice. I even use a website to identify actors in movies and TV shows.

The one thing I love about Google is how accessible things are. I no longer have to hope I have the right information about a topic. A 3 second search reveals so many links that I actually encounter information overload. Sometimes the search results are repetitive and sketchy, but they lead me down other paths in my searches, The Internet is indeed the Web that surrounds us all now.

Given my situation, I fondly refer to Google as Dr. Google. I frequently find more information about my medical conditions on Google than I do when I speak with my doctors. Yes, I know Google is a tool and anything read there should be thoroughly questioned before being accepted as true. However, I do know people who self-diagnose based on Internet information.

With the current health threats in the news, people are looking up illnesses and then frantically trying to get appointments with their doctors. In these cases, I think Dr. Google may not be the most appropriate resource. Especially if you are prone to panic attacks.

On the other hand, when you are deep into medical issues, Dr. Google can point you in directions so you can ask more insightful questions. It’s a toll that helps fill in the blanks when you don’t understand everything that has been thrown at you. I use Dr. Google to find explanations of terms that my doctors use, but don’t necessarily explain. It takes some of the mystique out of medical practice, but when used tactfully, many physicians find it easier to talk with patients.

So, to Google or to refrain. It’s what works for you. Always remember that what you read on Google may have been published by someone with something to gain. Buyer beware is an excellent way of looking at Google information. Also remember that people who are deep into medical issues are already receiving tons of information that far exceeds Dt. Google’s. Talking about a disease process that doesn’t affect you based on Dr. Google is annoying at best and potentially harmful.

Your challenge: Be an intelligent consumer. Know which web sites are reputable. With all this information at our fingertips, we must engage our brains and make decisions based on facts and how the decisions affect us. Don’t fall prey to invalid information. And please, don’t Google a disease and assume you are an expert. Happy surfing!

A friend is someone you let peek into your heart. Some friends only get that peek. Others will find their way into your heart. Both are worth keeping in your life. Both will enrich you in ways you do not know yet.

I see lots of memes about friendship. Some talk about how a true friend is always part of your life. Some talk about letting go of friends when they take more than they give. Yet others encourage us to recognize those who no longer serve an obvious purpose. If I followed the advice of memes, my social media friends list would become very short, very quickly.

Friendships bring out all kinds of emotions. New friendships are giddy with “me toos!” as you discover one another. More mature relationships evolve into friends who see your posts and message you to see if everything is okay. Those message may  not be regular, but you know if you want to chat, the friend is there.

And then there are the ones who disappoint. The ones you thought would work out, but it turns out there is some major incompatibility issues. What to do? You never know how the other person will handle the situation. I’ve had friends who blow up and take every negative reaction within their power to disown me. I’ve had others who quietly agree the friendship has run its course.

Honestly, it bothers me when people blow up. I don’t understand how self-righteous people get and then claim they were hurt by me. What about how I feel? Betrayal comes to mind, especially when social media provides such a wonderful way to see what a person is doing, even if they removed you from their social media “life.” But, it apparently isn’t about me. It’s about all the pain I’ve inflicted on them. And that’s about the time I realized the friendship was just a coincidence. A thing or two in common, but no trust to act as glue.

Your challenge: Look at your friendships. Are you helping/ hurting or neutral in your online life? Just FYI…real life relationships are way easier to deal with since you can actually see the person and make decisions based on interactions. It’s not about who has the most friends. It’s about having friends you can share your path with.

This article spoke to me. Comparing Autism to other identities makes a lot of sense.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-life-aspergers/201410/what-does-it-mean-when-i-say-im-autistic

Nope. Not talking race. Healthcare. Yes., healthcare. You see, my family has healthcare. It’s a government plan for the military. It’s not horrible a far as coverage goes. It is just frustrating.

I’m trying to locate a provider. I use the “Find a Provider” tool on the website. I start calling. First call that makes it through to a live person informs me that Tricare is a private insurance plan. Apparently if you use Medi(whatever), you can be seen within 24 hours. Because I have private insurance, November 17.

String of voice mails left for other providers. Second live person…refuses to talk to me because I “MUST” have a referral first. Um, no. Called Tricare to confirm the rules haven’t changed. Nope, still the same.

Third live person tells me I have to “sign up” with the business office before an appointment can be made. Seriously! Just drop my name on the calendar at a mutually agreeable time. The paperwork will happen. It always does.

So apparently, all the hype about health care is a stinking pile of manure. I have friends who tell me their Medi(whatever) doesn’t have enough options, they can’t find a provider, etc. I have “private” insurance and can’t get seen. So who the heck is filling up all the appointments? How can we be short doctors if NONE of them are really taking patients?

The funny thing is, I said “fine, I’ll just pay out-of-pocket” to make this happen sooner. They REFUSED! Said since I have insurance, I have to follow the rules. So, even money doesn’t talk.

Yep, On November 6, remember this blog. Remember all the promises. Remember your own experience. Take your frustrations out at the ballot box. Maybe, just maybe, a real live person will hear you.