...and she's full of bullcrap. I would love nothing more than if the entire population simultaneously stopped paying any attention to her.

Each era has its own collections of complaints. To me, it's no surprise that anxiety and depression in the US are at an all-time high.

However, I do think that people get overexcited over "Big Pharma." Their ads are idiotic...just like most other ads on TV.

Pharmaceutical companies are businesses. They need money to continue the research and development and sale of their drugs. It takes an obscene amount of money to run proper clinical trials and obtain FDA approval. I feel as though there needs to be a way, apart from the standard business model & Big Pharma, to develop compounds and drugs, because right now the only people in a position to do so are giant companies, who have a bottom line.

I don't know what the solution is, but until there is a higher-level approach to science and drug development in the US, you are at the mercy of companies whose goal is the same as any other company: make money.

I didn't have rich parents, but we were comfortable, they were able to pay for my education, and both my parents thought I would suck at the Real World. But I didn't. Once I finished college, I felt that I had to do right by them (immigrants who started out at the bottom), not to mention myself. Pride. I got a job, paid my bills, the whole shebang. Some of it's just growing up. I mean, you can't expect someone who has an allowance to make themselves poor just so bitter people can forgive them. The most you can hope for is that they, in their journey into adulthood, learn how to be...adult. I don't think LW has a huge problem unless his girlfriend seems to think that she's going to mooch off her parents forever. In that case, well, look elsewhere.

Fine, not every idiot knows Xanax is addictive. And from reading it seems that a lot of people don't know what they're getting into with prescription medication. Fault for this lies with many entities. Medications are a product, and as such their benefits are publicized and risks diminished. But every single FDA-approved prescription drug comes with a package insert. It IS your physician's responsibility to inform you about the risks and benefits of a medication, but that same information is plainly available for absolutely anyone. If you obtained your Xanax from a pharmacy, it comes with relevant information. You don't need a computer to look it up. People think their doctors tell them everything they need to know, but unfortunately, that's not the case, so all I'm saying is protect yourself. Prescription drugs are prescription for a reason - NOT EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE THEM. Think for a second, why? Because they're so fun and special? No. Because of the adverse effects.

Any idiot knows that Xanax can be addictive. I've taken it (low-dose, as-needed) for years for panic attacks. Be smart. Taking prescription drugs doesn't mean giving up control, it means being responsible about your condition (and you SHOULD have a legitimate condition if you're taking Xanax). For what it's worth, I never once had an issue with starting or stopping it.

ps. as mentioned cannabis is more effective and should be legal, but with insurance, 30 xanax are less than 2 bucks...do the math.

My stepmom is great, my ex-stepdad was horrible, but all details aside, it was the feeling that I didn't belong, that I was a leftover, that hurt the most. A relic from a family that no longer existed. It was hard to know my place, especially with new half and step-siblings. For a time - that lovely period of adolescence - I felt like I had 4 parents when it was convenient and zero when it was not. There were no accusations of "you're not my father/mother!" or similar dramas, just bewilderment and confusion.

This and another recent letter on SYA brought up the issue of how difficult it is to find and keep friends as an adult.

It confuses me, mainly because I feel as though I have a lot of friends, though to be sure, some come and go - that's the nature of knowing people as an adult. You can't just run next door where your friend lives, ring the bell and then play tag all afternoon. So what's the secret?

I don't that there's just one secret, or if it's a secret at all, but what's worked for me? I go out. I invite people over for dinner. I set up bar nights. Movie nights. Have the occasional party - nothing crazy, nothing stuffy - just grilling, beer, etc. I keep in touch with friends mainly by email. I cook. A lesson from the Greeks -- always have good food around when you have people over. I listen to people. I don't judge them or take their opposing beliefs personally. Life is short, it's good to sit and laugh and cook and eat and drink. Keep reaching out. Meet friends of friends, then meet their friends. Decide who you want to hang out with more, then set that up. It's sort of like dating, but you can pursue multiple people at a time and not stress about what you look like naked.

How have you made it this far in life without falling into an open sewer or eating poisonous bugs? You obviously know how to use the internet to ask for advice. Use the same internet. Google "vacation." Christ on a cracker, I hope this is a joke.

I love Tracie Egan's blog, and was surprised to see it mentioned here. Gross or not, crazy or not, stories about the wayward body are always interesting. And men, don't feel left out. I'd read your gross blogs too.