Vinny Guadagnino impresses me to no end, and I'll tell you the secret why. We share things in common: we're Italian, and we both graduated with honors from the College of Staten Island, a CUNY school. I looked at my degree tonight to remind myself of this feat.

His courage and confidence in speaking out about his anxiety, along with his public service speaking out for anti-bullying organizations and other organizations devoted to instilling hope for young people caught in the web of their feelings, is in the end what impresses me the most.

I grew up on the same Island he did. I was a lonely, shy teenager. The other teens would go dancing on Saturday nights at the Park Villa. I stayed in my bedroom with my ears tuned to college radio. As a young person, I became a disc jockey on the FM radio.

So I understand how Vinny could feel all alone in what he went through until he risked getting help and a social worker told him what he was going through was actually common.

He deserves whatever accolades he'll get from writing his book.

And surprise, surprise: one of his biggest ways to control the crazy is to devote yourself to public service, to act selfless to help others so that you focus on your self less and distract yourself from your problems by helping others heal.

Vinnie makes no bones about it: life is hard. Yet like numerous others he believes God gives us only what we can carry, and that there is a purpose in what we go through.

Control the Crazy? Yes you can.

I'd love to hear your comments on this topic.

Recovery Cafe

Cognitive Therapy - Part One

Cognitive Therapy - Part Two