Rich Vos Recounts Being Hospitalized for Anxiety at 21

Early Anxiety and Hospitalization

• 💡 Rich Vos recounts experiencing anxiety from a young age, leading to his hospitalization at 21.
• 🧠 At the time, medical professionals didn't fully understand anxiety, often misdiagnosing it and administering sedatives like Thorazine.
• 🤯 He describes the feeling of anxiety as extreme disconnection, feeling outside of himself and questioning his own identity.

Coping Mechanisms and Misunderstandings

• 🌿 While smoking pot may have contributed to his anxiety, Vos also reflects on broader life uncertainties as a factor.
• 🚗 A trip to Florida with friends was an attempt to alleviate his distress, but he ultimately felt compelled to return home.
• 🏥 His decision to check into the hospital's psychiatric ward, referred to as the "fifth floor," highlights the limited understanding of mental health conditions at the time.

The Impact of Psychedelics

• ⚠️ Vos touches upon the dangers of psychedelic drugs like LSD, noting that some individuals have experienced prolonged or permanent psychological effects.
• 🎶 He references the Pink Floyd song "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," inspired by Syd Barrett's struggles after extensive LSD use.
• 🧪 The unpredictable nature of street-sourced psychedelics, often made in unregulated conditions, is also discussed as a significant risk.

Later Life Anxiety and Recovery

• 💔 After his divorce at 40, Vos experienced a resurgence of anxiety while raising his children and working nights.
• 💬 He found a therapist in recovery who helped him manage his anxiety through conversation and medication, emphasizing that feelings of anxiety are temporary.
• 🎤 Vos admits to experiencing a small amount of anxiety even before this podcast appearance, a testament to the persistent nature of his condition.