“We stayed up until 8 a.m. drinking. In a panic, I realized I had to be at work in an hour. So, I popped a few Adderall, went to my job, and continued drinking all day after. I didn’t think I had a problem.”
‘Heart pounding, hands sweating, I fell to the ground screaming. I truly thought I was dying.’: Woman details mental health, sobriety journey to ‘end the stigma’
‘I never thought the virus would get to us. We were too safe, too smart.’: Young widow candidly details grief journey after losing husband to Covid-19
“Days before my husband contracted Covid, I remember saying out loud to him how excited I was for everything to shut down; I couldn’t wait to have him to ourselves. How naïve was I? He’d be sick less than a week later, and gone a month after that.”
‘Today, for the first time ever, I had to call an ambulance because of my anxiety. Unable to breathe, I threw up and broke down screaming, ‘Why me?’: Woman shares PSA on reality of anxiety
“Anxiety isn’t just having a hard time catching your breath. If you know someone who struggles with panic attacks, please be there for them.”
‘You’ll get over it.’ She patted me on the back and left. I’d never felt so alone in my life.’: Woman shares journey with chronic stress, anxiety, ‘There is hope’
“Oh, my God. I could’ve died!’ I didn’t recognize my mental breakdown until I nearly stepped in front of a speeding bus.”
‘The first thing the doctor said was, ‘I see we’re having some anxiety lately?’ I was in denial.’: Mom battling postpartum depression says ‘it’s NOTHING to be ashamed of’
“I’d stay in the same clothes for days and shower once a week. My hair was never brushed. ‘I’ll never let it get this bad again.’ I was disgusted with myself.”
‘As I rinsed my car, a man from behind placed a knife at my throat. Hand over my mouth, he dragged me to the floor of his car, forcing handcuffs around my wrists.’: Kidnapping, sexual assault survivor urges ‘there is abundant life after trauma’
“19 years old, I’d found a part-time job waiting tables at a local Olive Garden for the summer. One blistering hot day in July, I dropped a coworker off at work, looking forward to her shift ending so we could go out dancing. I had no idea my life was about to be turned upside down.”
‘The doctor said, ‘You’ll get fat and never dance again.’: Nephrotic syndrome warrior proves illness ‘does not define me’
“Only 18, I burst into tears, thinking my life was over. Now, I can only thank the doctor for giving me a reason to prove them wrong.”
‘Why are you seeking a diagnosis?’ They didn’t believe me. I was an imposter living a neurotypical, picture-perfect life.’: Woman diagnoses herself with autism after decades of ‘masking’
“When I was out during the day, I was being who people needed me to be, then I would come home and put my dukes up. I felt like an imposter in the life I had built.”
‘I don’t feel like myself.’ I attempted to be the perfect mom. I couldn’t let myself cage.’: Mom bravely shares journey with anxiety and panic disorder, ‘I don’t have to hide anymore’
“My stomach sank in fear. ‘What if something is really wrong?’ The room was spinning. My house became my safe space. What if I never felt like my true self again? I couldn’t stay home forever.”
‘I’ve been drowning for so long.’ I washed my hands until they bled and cleaned obsessively. My brain played tricks on me.’: Nurse becomes mental health advocate, ‘You’re NOT alone’
“My family and friends told me, ‘Calm down. Everybody gets stressed.’ I watched my parents Lysol my whole car, shaking on the ground and unable to move. Being on the other side of healthcare as the patient everyone assumed was ‘crazy’ felt absolutely surreal.”
