Anxiety Society: Larry’s “Ruthless” Rejection of “Needless Pessimism”
Larry’s antidepressant medication didn’t help to lighten his self-criticism. He tackled that piece on his own.
Larry’s antidepressant medication didn’t help to lighten his self-criticism. He tackled that piece on his own.
(This is the eighth post in a series called “Anxiety Society” in which I interview everyday anxiety suffers from all walks of life about their struggles, their triumphs, their coping methods, and more. I believe that the more we openly talk about our mental health, the less of a “thing” it becomes. Conversation can reduce stigma, and my interviewees want to be a part of that.)
Meet Larry Nocella: blogger and independent novelist. He sold his first article at the young age of 14 and “has been writing ever since,” he says. By day, Larry is full-time employee at marketing company and a (mostly former) sufferer of anxiety & depression. He lives, writes, and works in the greater Philadelphia area.
Just over a year ago, he “came out” on his blog as a user of antidepressant medication:
Do I tell you something I’d rather keep private? Or do I spill the ugly details?
I’ve decided to share. Why? Because of you of course. Yes, you. Reading this. You. Or maybe someone you know.
Because there is definitely a time when sharing beats silence, and that’s if you can help people. Mom was all about helping people, so while I lean toward her style of privacy, I think she’d appreciate why I’ve decided to come out.
What I’m trying to tell you is I take an anti-depressant. Were you expecting me to say something else?
Larry and I talked about his anxiety, depression, his medication use, and his optimism for the future.