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.

Ashley opens up about the anxiety with which she’s struggled since adolescence. She recounts the story of her very first panic attack and offers practical advice for fellow panic sufferers.

Turns out, hypnotherapy is nothing like that silly spectacle of stage hypnosis. What can it do for anxiety, panic, and phobia sufferers? How can it change our negative thought patterns?

Meet Ashley Taylor. She’s a certified hypnotherapist, an entrepreneur, and an anxiety sufferer. While walking through the halls between classes in 6th grade, Ashley experienced her first panic attack — complete with a racing heart, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Earlier this week, we met Angie Jackson: mom, ex-cult member, agoraphobic. In this second half of the interview, we hear about Angie’s experience with abortion, pro-choice activism, anxiety, and using the internet to cope.

If Angie’s name sounds familiar to you, there’s good reason. In early 2010, Angie made the news when she live-tweeted her abortion after an IUD implant failed to protect her from pregnancy. Unlike most women who elect to abort, Angie found herself in the national spotlight because of her decision to go public.

Previously, I spoke with Devin about her anxiety diagnoses. Our interview continues below as we discuss social anxiety, self-confidence, and workplace issues.

Meet Devin Wais. She’s a 30-year-old woman who lives in southern Virginia – and she’s a crafter, an avid reader, and loves Netflix. Recently, she’s been diagnosed with depression, general anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

And so, I’m launching my new blog series called “Anxiety Society”. Call it an extended version of the “man-on-the-street” interview, but conducted within the context of the internet.