For many of you that have struggled with a mental illness or have had a friend or family member who have struggled with one you know that it's not easy to overcome. In some cases, they even leave a lasting impression on you. The worst part about the struggle is that people tend to not talk about it because they're embarrassed or scared. Well, for those of you who think that, I know how you feel.
In 8th grade, I began therapy. I began with once a week then once every two weeks, and then once a month. Finally, after five years I was able to stop going and I moved to college. In those five years I was diagnosed with Depression, Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Acute Stress Disorder which, in my case, was due to PTSD and a few more small illnesses. I would fight with my friends and family, I would get stressed out about homework, I would cry about a boy I liked just like every other middle school/high school kid. The only thing that separated me from all those other kids was that I had someone to talk to about everything, and that each of those problems were harder for me to overcome.
It's hard to see people who need therapy not go and get it because they don't believe in it or because they think they can overcome their illness themselves. Good for you, but you don't have to struggle alone. Therapists are not there to judge you, they're there to make your life a little easier by teaching you techniques to help you relax during panic attacks, calm down during bursts of anger and to make you happy when you're sad. They are there to talk to you about your problems at home and with your friends and to give you advice on extremely personal things.
My story doesn't end there though, even after five years of therapy I still get sad sometimes. I still have bouts of OCD and ADHD and I struggle with some pretty bad anxiety; but it is nothing compared to the intensity of them when I was younger. Due to therapy, I have techniques to make it through everything and live my life normal. 
One in four people struggle with a mental illness, but only a few actually get help. If you are struggling with a mental illness I highly recommend seeing a therapist to help you. My therapist didn't only change my life, but my whole family's life.
I have her to thank for where I am today and for making me a stronger person.
