The Rest of Us Just Live Here

by Patrick Ness

“Feelings don’t try to kill you, even the painful ones. Anxiety is a feeling grown too large. A feeling grown aggressive and dangerous. You’re responsible for its consequences, you’re responsible for treating it. But Michael, you’re not responsible for causing it. You’re not morally at fault for it. No more than you would be for a tumor.”

“Then here’s my help. One, your anxiety is a genuine and very painful problem, not one you’re making up. Two, you’re not morally responsible for causing it. It’s nothing you did or failed to do that makes it happen. Three, medication will help treat it, so that four, you and I can talk about ways to help make life bearable, even livable.” “Will I have to be on it forever?” “Not if you don’t want to. The decisions are entirely yours.” “. . . I hate myself, Dr. Luther.” “But not so much that you didn’t come asking for help.”