the fact that already my presence felt like an unwelcomed intrusion did not help matters.
After only sharing my story for no more than 10 minutes or so, the psychiatrist finally glanced up and made contact with me saying; “Here, take this prescription, get it filled and make an appointment for a follow-up visit in 90 days.” I was stunned, especially since I had not even noticed that he had transitioned from writing in his binder notebook to a prescription pad, and I quickly asked as I took the prescription from his hand; “What’s this and what’s it for?” “It’s Lithium”, the doctor stated; “…and it’s to help with your depression.” When I asked how long I could expect to be taking this medication (which I knew nothing about, including any potential side effects), I nearly fell from my seat when I was forced to process the response of; “for life!”
I promptly threw the prescription back on the doctors’ desk and exited his office, and this time it was I who offered no eye contact! As I drove away from my appointment that day, I shall never forget how utterly alone and afraid I felt. I felt as if what little hope I maintained that I could one day be free of the enormous pain and regret I then embraced with all my might, had just been snatched from within my reach…forever! It felt as if I had just received news that I was afflicted with some terminal disease and that time