@frances007 I understand...but would fostering - maybe just for a week, if the opportunity exists - may provide a bit of a chance to get outside yourself again, remember what it feels like.

Also seems that - and I have not followed your Effexor journey here - that could have a serious impact on how you are able to cope with all that surrounds, and is inside, you. Is this "titrating down", if I"m using the words accurately, for a hopeful purpose? Maybe there were side effects, and I have not read about them here in your postings yet.

But, what about writing - both here and in a journal-type situation? I'm not good at sticking to things, but I did try it for a while last year at about this time, and was writing up to 3 full 9" x 12" pages in a lined sketchbook-type book, and it did bring me out of my head a bit for the better. But, like I wrote, for me, that is a hard thing to stick with. But if you add in some creative bits - sketches, drawings, doodles, it becomes this really cool compendium of thoughts.

Speaking of creative bits - is there a way I/we can view some of your "dribs and drabs" - not for critiquing, but for the sheer joy of sharing creatively?

Hope to hear more of your thoughts here soon.