I can’t take a prescription, people will judge me. I won’t be normal.
Three years ago I in was diagnosed with high level anxiety, probably something I had my entire life. It was the moment I realized that constantly worrying about the worst case scenario, constant running lists, debilitating worry about making the wrong decision or saying the wrong thing, and heaven forbid I feel like I upset someone — it was when I realized these things weren’t “normal”. .
I can still remember my therapist, I see it so vividly, “have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety?” — I told him no, I was just a worrier by nature. Turns out, I worry more than I should
The decision to take medication was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. The stigma with taking medication for your mental health is intense and completely absurd! You’d never judge someone with diabetes or heigh blood pressure for taking medication. Why would you judge someone with anxiety? But, I felt the stigma.
This decision was the best decision I have ever made for myself. My dosage has varied over the years and I am usually comfortable at a low dose. But not always, and that’s ok. I am able to make the decisions that are best for me and not someone else. And my experience is why I’ve always been open about my walk with anxiety. You do what you need to do to be happy and healthy!