I have had anxiety my whole life, and have been clinically depressed since I was in middle school. Let me explain myself. Six years ago my best friend passed away very suddenly, it hit me very hard. I was in a tail spin of depression and I couldn't quite drag myself out.
I tried not to let myself wallow in my depression. I tried to self medicate through self-harm. I was addicted to my razor blade for almost 2 years before I sought help. I attempted to find help through a Christian counsellor. She told me that 2 years later I should be over my friends passing and that I shouldn't still be upset. WELL DUH! Why do you think I'm here? I have a right to be upset for as long as I need to be, but the way I was handling it was not a healthy way.
She tried to tell me that it was because my dad didn't hug me enough and that my mom didn't tell me she loved me enough. I knew that was crap. She didn't listen to me, she tried to shove my illness into a box. So I stopped going to see her. And I didn't get better.
I continued to have anxiety and depression. Then I met the love of my life. He didn't coddle me, but he wasn't rude about my emotions either. If I needed to cry, I would cry. If I needed to scream, I would scream.
I am not 6 years out from the major downfall of my emotional stability, I am able very proud to say I am living with and slowly overcoming depression. I may not be at my strongest, but I am stronger than I have been before.
At first I thought I was broken. I didn't cry when I didn't get a part in the musical. I always cry when anything happens. A customer yelled at me? I held my own (in the way that cashiers can). I was concerned, I was afraid I had lost myself.
The reality? The real me finally came out. I am still me, but the stronger me is finally on top! I have a long way to go, but I am proud of where I am.