I have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, everyone called me "Worry Wart." If anything were to go wrong in a situation, I would be the one to think of it. For many years, I put my anxiety on the back burner of my life and tried to ignore it. It wasn't until high school that I realized that I had anxiety disorder and that I wasn't the only one.
When I entered college, I thought I would be able to power through the anxiety. I tried breathing techniques, exercise, meditation, and other solutions; my anxiety always interfered with my life. I got nervous about every situation; a test, a class, an appointment, walking to class, money, choosing what to eat, etc.
After my first semester away from home, I eventually decided to talk to my doctor about my anxiety. I had friends that were taking medicine for the same reasons, so I realized that there was nothing wrong with it. I made an appointment and was nervous that my doctor would say "you're fine, you don't need medicine." I knew that at this point in my life, I needed something to help ease the anxiety. My doctor was very supportive and prescribed me some anxiety medicine.
At first, I didn't see a difference in my life until I missed a day's worth of medicine. I became more irritable, I was more emotional, and I had doubts about everything. It was in that moment that I realized how much my medicine was a blessing. I was so happy that there was actually something that helped suppress my constant feelings of worry.
So why is there such a stigma attached to taking medication for mental disorders? Is it because people are afraid of being seen as weak? Maybe it's because people are afraid of becoming dependent on the medication. Whatever the case may be, it has come to my attention that these assumptions are false. I take medicine for my anxiety disorder, and that does not make me less of a person. I am not weak, and I am not the only one taking medication for my mental disorder. Anxiety medication is not for everyone, and I understand that, but I am happy that I have this resource to help better my life and way of living. I am thankful that there are medical professionals to help make these medications.
I have a mental disorder. I take medication for my mental disorder, and it has helped me better my life. There is a stigma around taking medication, but there shouldn't be. I no longer worry about the little things, and I am no longer afraid of crossing the street. It has been a blessing to me, and the people around me; I can be myself around strangers, family, and friends. It has helped me climb out of my comfort zone and become comfortable in my own skin.
