Starting the Discussion: My Experience with Mental Health

My name is Tom Franken. I’m twenty years old, I live in Youngstown, Ohio, and I am a sophomore at Youngstown State University. I major in communications, I am a sports fanatic, and I have innumerable other interests. I have a loving family and wonderful friends. This year, I almost lost my life.

I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and major depression earlier this year, putting a name to something I had known for a very long time. With a combination of therapy, medication, and faith, I was slowly able to regain control of my life. I have been given the gift of a second chance, and now it’s time to give back.

I have wanted to start a blog detailing my struggle with anxiety and depression for some time now, yet I was conveniently anxious to sit down and start writing. Would people care about what I have to say?

Then World Mental Health Day happened. I read the numerous heartfelt posts by those who deal with mental illness, and was truly inspired by the class shown by both the posters and those who replied to show their support.

It made me think back to when I opened up about my tribulations via social media. Close friends, long lost family members, and casual acquaintances all contacted me and offered nothing but love and support. I will never forget those who reached out to me in that trying time, and will forever be grateful for it.

Recognizing that the support I received was imperative to my recovery, I approached my writing with a new outlook. I don’t need a broad audience to tell my story, I simply need an audience of one. If at least one person is helped by my story, I will be happy.

Not every post I make will be this heavy. I’m not a super-serious person, and I will be having some fun with this blog. But my focus needs to be made clear.

I will write this post, and others in the weeks to come, for the person who suffers from anxiety in secret because their panic attacks make them feel weak. For the person who believes no one cares truly cares about them because their depression is dragging them deeper into a pit of despair. For the person that thinks deserve to feel like the scum of the earth for reasons only known to themselves.

I write to this person because I understand them.

I write to this person because just nine months ago, I was that person.

I have dealt with anxiety since I was a child, and have dealt with depression for the past two and a half years. This created a vicious cycle which, combined with other health problems, slowly ruined my life. Stress overtook even the smallest situation, my weight ballooned, my relationships suffered, my self esteem was nonexistent, and I slowly isolated myself in my room away from everyone else.

Nine months ago, my condition eventually deteriorated to the point that I didn’t want to wake up in the morning, and often thought of how all of my pain would end if I was no longer alive.

Through timely intervention by my concerned, understanding parents (along with another person who I shall not name out of respect for their privacy), I was convinced to withdraw from school and enter a group therapy program.

I fought the hardest battle that I have ever faced, and slowly but surely, the world that had been black and white for so long became filled with color. I worked hard to conquer my demons, and came out the other side as a better, stronger human being.

I will shed some light on the ways that I was able to overcome my obstacles as I go on. Writing this now, I would like to offer a starting point to those who are suffering.

The first step in recovery is discussing your issues. Even if it’s hard to believe, every person on this earth has someone who cares about them, and are willing to help as much as they can. The beauty that humanity exhibits is what helped inspire my recovery.

You are a human being, and you are not alone. Remembering that you are a person who is loved and respected is crucial to the process. You are not “crazy,”and you are not defined by a diagnosis or label. There is hope for you to become the person you wish to be.

Starting the discussion is the hardest part. Once you are there, the only way to go is up.