I'm writing this for myself. I'm writing this for the aimless reader who stumbles upon it. I'm writing this for my friend who suggested I write a "listicle" about this very important topic. (Shout out to Ashlyn Fisher for the inspiration and, basically, entire list.) I'm writing this for every person who has ever felt "less than" because of their anti-anxiety and/or depression prescription.
Here are only five of many reasons seeking medical attention and taking a prescribed anti-anxiety medication makes you a stronger person, rather than serving as a crutch for a weak individual.
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1. Improved quality of life
The mental improvement is only one aspect. Mental well-being pours over into physical well-being and every other aspect of life. You might not realize how much time and energy you're waisting worrying until you're suddenly able to stop worrying and realize you have time for so many other things, like physical fitness and fun.
2. Stronger friendships
This is especially true for those with social anxiety, which can make forming and maintaining relationships very difficult. When you're no longer obsessing over what people think or if you did something wrong, you suddenly realize you're actually a pretty fun person worth spending time with. You can also stop flaking on plans because you're no longer too anxious to follow through.
3. Better grades
Everyone has different triggers, but academic performance and the fear of failure was crippling in my early years of college. I didn't realize how much "study" time was actually wasted worrying about the poor grade I might make until I was able to let go of the fearful, unproductive all-nighters and replace them with shorter stints of focused study time.
4. Confidence
FREEDOM. The freedom to stop doubting yourself—intellectually, emotionally, physically, etc. You're no longer a slave to your shortcomings. You're the master of opportunity. All you have to do is take that first step, and you're no longer paralyzed by fear. *Queue "Confident" by Demi Lovato.*
5. Healthy outlook
The power of positive thinking is no joke. A friend who recently began taking an anti-depressant following her transition from student to young professional told me she didn't realize how much sleep she lost by waking up early and lying in bed dreading the day ahead of her, for no other reason than the fear, anxiety, and negative outlook a new day brought with it. Now, she wakes up ready to tackle the day, owning that she's a total girl boss who's going to kick-a** today and every day. She's makin' moves and climbing the ladder, thanks to her new-found positivity.
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I took an anti-anxiety/depressant for about a year. It wasn't until I was able to come off of the medication that I opened up to many of my friends and a few acquaintances about my struggle.
When I did, I was shocked to learn that many of them had been taking either the exact same prescription or something similar for the same reasons. We hadn't talked about it before because we didn't want people to walk on eggshells around us, doubt our abilities, or form preconceived notions about our personalities.
Suddenly, instead of weakness, I felt understanding. I was thankful for the common thread that gave us an unspoken respect and connection. Seeking help isn't a weakness. It's a display of strength.
