Looking at social media, I tend to see a lot of posts that state, "This is an anti depressant, not drugs," and it will show someone running or in a relaxing area. Unfortunately, running doesn't always help traumatizing events in our lives. I have now been taken an Antidepressant and since April, and it has changed my life for the better in so many different ways. And yes, I plan to tell you every single way.

You may be asking, what kind of trauma could be so bad that you have to take some drug to feel better? Well I had many different problems growing up that led to my depression and anxiety. My mother passed away from cancer a few days after my 6th birthday. Well that couldn't have changed your life that much right? You didn't know any different? Incorrect again. I was old enough to know who my mother was, and the support she gave me in my life. I had family members who decided "recreational" activities were the best way to cope with their grief along with some that were verbally abusive and a family member who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I wasn’t eating properly and was down to skin and bones. These conditions mixed together created high anxiety, manic depression and a very unconfident, not put together adult.

I began having panic attacks in the first grade, and if you have ever had one, you will agree, they suck. I was able to make my way through school and graduate with a pretty good GPA. I functioned all the way up until I got to college. I spent 2 years at ISU then transferred to IUPUI. I failed my first class, ever. I was constantly angry, upset, and just didn't care too much about where I was going in life. Finally I said, its time to make a change.

I began going back to therapy and was put on an antidepressant and medication for anxiety. This changed my entire life. After about a month of being on this medication, I was happier, more motivated, healthier, Before I would just lay in bed and mope about how awful my life was and how it was never going to change. Now I am doing something about the problems I had in my life.

I no longer live in a toxic situation, I don’t and I have been doing much better in school than I did the first 3 years of college. I don’t have any more panic attacks; I am balancing 2 jobs and going to school with no problem. I am at a healthy weight now, and working towards a life I am proud to call my own.

If I had never taken that step to be put on “drugs” I would not be where I am today. I wouldn’t be happy, and I may have even dropped out of school.

So if running and walks along the beach work for you, that’s great. But do not be afraid to be put on medication that can help manage your life until you have built the skills to come off of them. Not everyone wears the same shoe size, so do what fits for you.