Tough Love: Speaking Out on Anxiety and Depression Part 1
This is not an easy article to write, with so much stigma surrounding mental health disorders. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for the better part of my young life, exhibiting symptoms and signs as early as four years old. This is not for those of us who want to be coddled or pitied or even an article for those of us in the midst of an episode of intense depression and grief; no, this is an article for those of us who are tired, tired of depression and anxiety kicking our asses, ready for a change, and ready to take control. I am going to gently, here, place a trigger warning, as I’m going to share my struggle and some of the things that I have learned along the way to developing a healthy mind (which has not been easy—self is the greatest obstacle anyone must overcome in life). I’m probably going to say some things that maybe you don’t like, and it’s OK if you don’t agree with them, but I want you to think. This article is in two parts: part one, my story; and part two, my recovery and what I learned.