Summer Beretsky

2012 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing done by Chato Stewart

In twelfth grade, I wrote an essay called “Thinking Too Deeply About Over-Analyzation.” The topic was pretty self-explanatory; I picked apart (or, rather, over-analyzed) the very manner in which I over-analyze.

I got an A on the essay. I also got a comment from Mr. Jones, my Writing Workshop teacher, inked in red pen on the cover page: “Summer, you’re going to get an ulcer one day.”

Hi Mr. Jones! I’ve decided to bypass the ulcer and exceed your expectations — like the overacheiver that I am — and go straight for an anxiety disorder.

I had my first panic attack in college and, roughly estimating, I’ve added over 400 more to my resume to date. After the first one, my family physician wrote me a script for Xanax — which worked well until I developed a tolerance for it. Then, he gave me a script for Paxil.

For two years, the Paxil stopped my panic attacks, but they flat-lined my emotions, my creativity and my liveliness. The best parts of my life — interacting with friends, writing, and studying communication — became bland. I tried and failed to withdraw from Paxil twice. (Read more Mental Health Hero)

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Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

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Bonus My kids Drawings

By Sweet Pea age 10

By Precious Age 9

By Precious Age 9

By Belly age 6

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From Psych Central's World of Psychology:
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    Last reviewed: 9 May 2012