in-crisis support: 800.273.TALK (8255) • mental health information and resources: 877.726.4727
Working to end the stigma and discrimination of mental illness.
I am very honest with others about my own experiences with mental illness. Continually, people respond with surprise that I’ve had such problems, and that makes me so happy. Why does it please me? Not because I think I’ve achieved acting “normal,” and not because I think I hide my problems well. It makes me happy because I know that, with each person I meet, I am helping to change society’s perception of mental illness.
I was diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder w/Agoraphobia almost 2 years ago. It has robbed me of much of the enjoyment of life I used to take for granted. I see people out and about and feel jealous, sad, hurt, feeling like I am the only one suffering like this.
I was diagnosed with Major Depression and Panic Disorder when I was 13 years old. I've been hospitalized 3 times for my illness, once, when I was 24 because of a suicide attempt, that was a direct result of the stigma surrounding Mental Illness. I got better, changed my surroundings, met an amazing man, married him, and became stronger.
All I want is to be able to live my life without having to hide my illness. I didn't bring this on myself. I'm sick. I'm tired of having people tell me to either "relax" or "cheer up." They don't mean any harm, but they just don't get that it's not that simple.
I was sexually abused the majority of my childhood. My abuse started from when I was just a little girl and ended the summer when I went into sixth grade.
When I look back at my childhood, it is clear now that my anxiety issues began at a young age. I had major issues in social situations to the point that I would avoid them. My anxiety would flare up as I anticipated certain events, even ones that I enjoyed.
I am 15 years old and suffer from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and anger issues. I was taken out of school for 5 months to deal with my issues and going back to school, I felt alone and like no one understood.
I am 18 years old and I fight both depression and anxiety. As strange as it may sound, I am a very bubbly person and I want to push myself to live as best a life I can.
When I was in eighth grade I began to get bullied online and people would tell me "you're fat and stupid, go kill yourself".
When I was in 2nd grade my parents began to fight daily. When I was in 4th my classmates decided that I was a lesbian(I am gay; but I wasn’t out then) and harassed me daily for a long time. When I was in 6th grade I started restricting my food and became scared of eating; I lost a scary amount of weight - thankfully I eventually self recovered. I also started self harming in 6th grade.