YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Hello, my name is Atiya.

I've been dealing with major depression since seventh grade and anxiety (both social and general) for about two years now. My one source of support, my best friend, is not eight hours away so I needed some place to talk with people who are dealing with the same issues.

Currently, I had a relapse about a month ago. With the big move to a new state, coupled with pressure from family, I wasn't in a great place. I'm starting to get better (I've finally gotten a job) but anxiety is still a HUGE issue for me. I work with the public and it's pretty much a requirement for me to bring in new clients. I almost had a panic attack over the weekend because it was so busy. I've been trying to get better.

Seeing a therapist isn't an option for me at the moment ( I have in the past) because I'm unfortunately very broke.

Anyway, I'm glad to be here.

It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate, Atiya. I hope things settle down for you. I've been crippled with anxiety the last couple of months and a friend told me to walk around the block. I told her no, so she told me to walk four houses down and come back. She called me every day to see if I'd made it around the block yet. It was really hard to do it, but after a few days it actually felt good just to be doing something that I knew was entirely for me.

I wish you the best

Welcome! Anxiety is something I know all too well. I'm sorry to hear your suffering and that your support is so far away.

Btw, I have to ask, your avatar, is that from Tomie or Junji Ito manga?

Junji Ito is the best!

It is Tomie! One of my favorite mangas

Thanks everyone for welcoming me!

Love your avatar and LOVE Tomie! I normally use the pane from Uzumaki where this girl's eye gets sucked up into the spiral in her head for my avatar, but I thought that particular one might be too dark for a mental health forum, lol. Finding more Junji Ito fans gives me many happies!

Syuni, I thought about using that but I decided against it for the same reason
It's always cool to find more Ito fans! Uzumaki is actually my favorite overall.