Hello everyone,
I’m new to the beyond blue forum and would like to share my story.
I’m 27 years old and haven’t had friends since high school and have never had a boyfriend even though I did date once at the age of 19. I’ve found myself really wanting to make friends but my anxiety and depression were really horrible at the time and still is.
At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with depression due to being severely bullied and humiliated in high school. I saw a psychologist who believed that I was faking my depression because I was well-spoken and in her opinion too intelligent to be depressed. I started to believe that she was right and I felt very discouraged. Even though my mum was supportive and told me to try again. I couldn’t face being told that again.
I started studying and working over the next 5 years. I studied at TAFE and got my year 11-12 equivalents. I started to work at a fast food restaurant and left after a year to be a house keeper at a resort.
My family and I then moved again and I started a new job at a fast food restaurant because I was living in a small town with limited resources.Then when I was 21, I was diagnosed with anxiety after having a panic attack at work and I have been struggling with it and depression ever since.
I had to quit my job because we were moving for the third time to Perth. When we got to Perth I decided to see another psychologist who didn’t believe that I had severe anxiety and thought that meditation would cure it.
I did take anti-depressants at 16 for 6 months and anti-anxiety medication at 21 to present.
Fast forward to now and I’m 27 and haven’t had a job in 6 years. I have no friends/social life outside of my family and have never had a boyfriend.
Since the virus and isolation has happened.It has made me realise that I haven’t done that much with my life and that I have been existing not living.
So with the extra money from the government (because finances was a factor in my not being able to see better psychologist) I am now seeing a psychiatrist that believes that I have depression and anxiety and has given me a diagnosis of a panic disorder. It feels so good even after one session to have him believe me.
I know it will be a long road from here on out but I’m really optimistic that things will change because slowly they already are. I know when the virus is over that I’ll get back into sports and other hobbies I used to enjoy and will make new friends and who knows maybe start dating again.
