Dear depression and anxiety,

What can I begin to say about you? You both have had a huge influence on my life and continue to push me every day. Remember, in high school, I had to give a presentation to a small group and you made me start to cry and freak out?

Haha... Man, those were good times.

Oh, do you remember when depression made me stay as close to my bed as possible for three weeks? It convinced me that everyone in my fraternity hated me. Yeah, you the real MPV, bro.

Every single time you made me feel like crap, question everyone's actions around me, or made me completely fade into the black, I still fought through and came out better.

You see, no matter how hard you try to rattle my brain, my heart is always going to keep fighting to push you away. No matter what you try to say to convince me that all of my friends hate me and are plotting against me — true or not — it won't work. I am stronger than you and I won't let you pull me down.

You both are like abusive friends. Abusive friends will always be there when you're at your darkest point. Of course, right? Because, deep down, they want to see you fail. They see you as a threat to their spotlight and will do anything to make you feel like a lesser person.

You both have lied to me. You've, quite literally, pulled me back into my bed and held me hostage. You both have had my brain in shackles and chains for years, like a prisoner.

I do have to admit, though, I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for your motivation. Through all of the jitters and the waves of emotion that were brought on by anyone's actions, I always pushed you back down. From the loss of close family members to watching people distance themselves from me, I have continued to persist on my journey in life.

I will never be able to thank you for all of the lessons that I have learned through your acts of terror on my brain. You have taught my heart to toughen up and not to give in so easily to whims. You have hardened my mind and body to the attacks, and I now have a system of defending myself from you. I am who I am because of you. You will always be a part of me, but that doesn't mean you control me.

Love always,

Leah

P.S.: Stop it with the bullshit, anxiety. I know how to write an article.