Dealing With Mental Health Issues

Growing up, I always struggled in school. There was never a year where I could just sit back and relax and not have to worry about failing all my classes. I was "diagnosed" with a learning disability at a young age, though, so I was able to get the extra help that I needed, but it was definitely never enough. I also struggled at home, constantly forgetting to do chores or small tasks my mom would ask me to do and I would always get in trouble for it. I was never the kid to talk back to their parents. My mother wouldn’t tolerate it if I tried anyways, but it wasn’t like I was a bad kid. The only times I would get in trouble was me just "forgetting" about something either at home or at school.

When I first started high school, I knew I was basically screwed, but I did alright my first and second year. Junior year was the toughest. I became very depressed, my anxiety attacks would happen almost twice a week, and I would cry myself to sleep every single night. I didn’t know what was wrong with me and I was too scared to talk to my parents because I was afraid they wouldn’t believe that I felt depressed.

Of course, it got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore. I was starting to have anxiety attacks every time I would hang out with my friends. I finally sat down with my parents and talked to them about maybe getting me a therapist and that was probably the greatest decision I have ever made. Just being able to get all the weight off my shoulders just by talking to her felt amazing. It was great for a while and I definitely felt better, but there was still a deep pain somewhere in me and I couldn’t quite figure it out. I asked my therapist about taking medication for my anxiety and depression and thankfully she agreed with me and told me to talk to my doctor about it and she even wrote a note for me to give to her.

My doctor decided to put me on a medication specifically for depression called Citalopram. Within the first day of taking it, I felt better. I was so excited and happy to finally be able to spend time with my friends without feeling like a black hole. After a couple months of taking the medication everything was normal, but again there was something I felt was still missing. I still felt as though there was something I needed. Like I mentioned before, I struggled in school and a lot of it was my focus, I could never get anything done because I had the worst attention span.

I talked to my doctor again about maybe taking an ADD test, which they do right there in the office. It’s like a questionnaire and when I was finished she went over it and basically said that I most definitely have ADD and wrote me a prescription right there.

I have been taking and still take my anxiety and depression medication as well as my ADD meds. I finally feel normal, whatever that means. I’m content with myself. I am currently a senior in high school and I’m so glad I made the decisions I did before college because I don’t how I would have survived with out my meds. If you struggle with your mental health, you shouldn’t be scared to talk to someone, especially your parents if you are younger. Your parents just want the best for you and they want you to feel your best every single day. And if you don’t have someone like that to talk to, then talk to your doctor. They will listen and they will help you! You’re not alone.