Personal Narrative: Mental Illness

Mental Illness When I was younger I never truly understood mental illness. I never expected that I would be affected by it. When I was sixteen, I experienced feeling anxious especially around people, chest pains, and occasional panic attacks. I had no idea what was wrong with me so, naturally, I Googled it. I concluded that I probably had social anxiety. My social anxiety limits me from meeting new people, speaking out my opinion in class, and simple things like talking on the phone and paying for items at the cash register. Sometimes I feel alone and no one understands what I experience everyday. My self-confidence deteriorated, also. I can’t leave my house without wondering what other people will think of what I’m wearing, my voice, and
what my hair looks like. Sometimes all of this bundled together leaves me awake at night, which makes me tired periodically. It truly is effortful dealing with social anxiety everyday. But ten elongated months later, I finally told my doctor about my social anxiety, and she referred me to a therapist. I am currently seeing my therapist and have improved greatly. I don’t feel as anxious and can do things like talking on the phone easier than before. Telling my doctor was one of the most dreadful things I have ever done because I didn’t know how she would react or what my parents would think. At the same time, though, that moment was the best decision I’ve made. I now realize what people with mental illnesses feel everyday. In fact, living with social anxiety has made me a stronger person than what I would be without it.