#worldmentalhealthday2020

THREAD:

I& #39;ve suffered from depression since secondary school. I had my first panic attack before I& #39;d made my confirmation. I had my first nervous breakdown at the age of 16. I& #39;ve been to hell, got out and been back again more times than I care to

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remember. I could be here writing until January and wouldn& #39;t be able to do justice to the absolute hell that depression, anxiety and panic attacks have wrought on me personally for at least two thirds of my life. I& #39;ve self harmed many times, had constant thoughts of suicide

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and battled drink and gambling addiction. But I& #39;m somehow still here to tell the tale. Following 20 plus years of running away, four years ago I had a horrific breakdown. It destroyed me, I was done. The fear, sickness and hopelessness left me feeling like I only had one

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option. Suicide. Thankfully something made me hold on. It was around that time I found Pieta House. Three times over the following years, for 14 weeks each time, I poured my heart and soul out to my counsellor. I talked about things I had never talk about. Scary feelings

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that I had never before confronted. Demons that I had never dealt with. I used to often feel like vomiting after sessions. I didn& #39;t feel it at the time but slowly but surely I was getting better. Those 42 sessions with that counsellor saved my life. I think this demonstrates

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the importance of talking. We hear it all the time "it& #39;s good to talk" but it literally is. I haven& #39;t drank in 18 years, haven& #39;t had a bet in 4 and a half years and I& #39;m slowly but surely getting there. There are days that my depression, anxiety and PTSD will have a go at me

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and that& #39;s ok. The difference is I say it now when I& #39;m not feeling so good instead of trying to carry on and tell nobody or try to escape it. If you& #39;re feeling alone, anxious, depressed and need help I would plead with you to please talk to someone. There is always hope.

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You might feel alone but you aren& #39;t. The best days of your life may be just around the corner and you are far too valuable to leave this world too soon. Please talk to a friend, family member or in confidence to a person at one of the numbers below. You will get through this

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Pieta House: 01 6235606

Aware: 1800 80 48 48

The Samaritans: 116 123

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