I struggle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD on a daily basis. I started to get hope when one of my favorite actors came out with his Always Keep Fighting campaign that benefited TWLOHA. He came out about his own struggles, and hearing that such a well known actor struggled made me realize that I wasn’t alone and that anyone could struggle. I’ve struggled with mental illness since I was a Junior in high school, I’m now 26 years old. I have learned to use my voice and spread awareness in hopes that my story can help someone else in their daily struggle. But since the AKF it has came close to me, especially the fandom it has created being able to connect with so many who actually understand what I go through daily and who are there to show support it means a lot to me. I have learned what helps me cope through my day to day life. One thing being art and coloring, it helps me cope and helps my struggle become easier. 

I am only three or four years old in my first memories of anxiety. I am also these ages when I start learning from my parents that this is not an acceptable way to act or to think. And so began my lifelong struggle with anxiety, hypochondria, OCD, social anxiety, eating disorders and general confusion about why I am the way I am.

Anxiety and depression are not strangers to my family, but from the beginning it was shameful to talk about. I suffered in relative silence for 18 years, only reaching out for help when things got so bad that I couldn’t keep them inside.

In college, I made the choice to see a therapist and have never looked back. In the intervening six years, a lot has changed. I have not been able to completely overcome my daily struggles, but things are getting better and I know they will continue to do so. I do not hide the fact that I am in counseling. I talk openly about my story and I encourage others to seek out the help they need.

It is not our fault that we deal with these mental struggles. We are simply a product of our circumstances. But, we hold the power to change our own lives and the lives of others by getting the help we need and working to change the image around mental health. We don’t have to be victims of our circumstances. We are stronger than that.

My parents have a history of mental illness on both sides including: bipolar, depression, anxiety, OCD and narcissism and borderline.  There is also a heavy history of alcoholism on both sides.  I feel that genetically given my biology I inherited genetics for my mental illnesses and was kinda screwed at the get go.  I also grew up in a CRAZY abusive household.  I was/am totally traumatized.  So hereditary and environment–the double whammy.

I went to a highly regarded anxiety and depression center and was evaluated extensively.  They told me the evaluation would take 5 hours. Mine took 11. ;-) I knew that was a sign.

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Anxiety and depression is real. I am one of them. Don’t be afraid to seek help. A lot of people go years without seeking professional help. I was one of them. At the age of 37 I was hospitalized for a week I was officially diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Losing my children in the midst isn’t making it easier. Please seek out a local psyc hospital or mental health professional. I hope me coming out publicly will encourage others to do the same.

I struggled with mental health for most of my life, though it was especially bad in my teens. I suffered with anxiety and depression; the anxiety was so bad I became terrified of leaving my own room and had panic attacks over being around people at all. I was even too anxious to post to forums for people who struggled like I did. As the anxiety got worse, so did the depression. I self-harmed for 10 years, and attempted to take my life three times. I finally broke down and went to the ER, begging anyone who would listen to help me. I stayed silent for so many years, suffering alone, and couldn’t take it any more. The hospital stay greatly helped me, and I have been clean of self-harm for three years. I hold a part-time job, and even have a few friends. I never saw myself having a “normal” life, but it is possible. If you are struggling, PLEASE don’t struggle in silence. Get help. Whether it’s reaching out to a loved one, a therapist, going to a hospital, there are loads of resources to help you, and even more people who care about you, even though it may not seem like it. Don’t lose hope, don’t give up. Life will get better, you just have to give yourself the chance.

I have dealt with social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and major depression.

I promise it gets better. Every day keep trying, even if it’s something as small as stepping outside your door and looking around and saying “hi” to the people you see outside.

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I’m Amanda; I’m 20 years old and have wonderful jobs, possibly lifelong careers, as a chef and photographer. I have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist with Severe Depression, severe anxiety, social anxiety, and Inattentive type ADD. I currently suffer from all of the above, and a few new things/symptoms.

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All my life I have dealt with anxiety and depression since as long as I can remember but never really got help till I was an adult. As a child I use to pull my hair out which I still manage to do expect just my eyebrows now when I feel stressed or anxious. I have never been one for medicine so I always look for a natural way to help my anxiety which has helped a little bit specially aromatherapy. After my experience with abuse it has sent my anxiety and depression into a whole new level. I want to say with the right type of support system in place everything is possible! Things get better it maybe slowly and a day to day process but always remember there are people who care. Help is always out there. Slowly one day at a time I’m getting a sense of myself back it just takes time.

I’ve have struggled with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for all my life - but only was recently diagnosed. At times when my anxiety was high, I would dip into depression. In 2013, I moved away for school and my anxiety took over my life in response to all these new experiences. The depression that followed was the kind where I became very irritable, negative and hostile in my interactions with other people and towards my outlook on life. Looking back on it I can say it completely ruined any chance I had at making a successful transition professionally and forming a supportive group of friends.

Now, after going in for help 2 years ago, I am in the process of recovering and learning to forgive myself. It is helping me much more than I thought it would. The reason I didn’t go in for help sooner is because I did not want to admit to myself that my mental state was that bad. I kept dismissing it as something that I could control when I couldn’t. Because GAD is a genetic trait seen in my family, I was fearful of being “that bad” because of how I have personally seen GAD and depression affect my family. Furthermore, I have struggled with GAD and depression for so long on my own and successfully found ways to manage it in previously, it was hard to admit when I needed to give up fighting it alone. 

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I have dealt with anxiety off an on for about eight years. Then in November of 2012, depression and anxiety struck me hard. I have changed medication four or five times in two years, and I am sooo tired. When I have a really bad day, I feel as if I am in hell. When the anxiety and depression came on I had to quit my job of ten years. I am so tired, and my family doesn’t understand… because I have always been a strong woman. I see a psychiatrist, but I don’t feel much different. Actually I feel things are getting worse. I pray a lot, but everyone tells me I have to have patience. If only they knew how I truly feel.