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by Todd Crush
Do not be discouraged when confronted with the impossible. I’m living proof that anything can be done. At 25, with a young family, I was struck with the onset of schizophrenia and anxiety and everything in my world had come to a screeching halt. But I knew I had to push past my fear.
by Collin Williams
I’m one of those people that if you knew me six or seven years ago you would never have thought I was suffering - or could ever suffer - from depression. I played football in college. I was a successful lawyer in the big city (Chicago) and a family man. A real guys’ guy. I didn’t sit in the corner of a dark room and cry. Instead I was angry. I was irritable. I had severe bouts of rage. I lashed out and couldn’t understand why.
by Luciana Valbuena
My dream was always to be a mother. The day my first child was born, I felt something in me change completely. I didn’t know what it was... But when I saw my daughter, I felt happy, yet alongside that happiness came fear and an unknown feeling.
by Claire Helmers
I'm a competitive runner and I struggle with anxiety and depression. In person therapy has been the biggest game changer. After switching therapists and finding one that has helped me, it was my biggest life saver.
by Natalia Aíza
My OCD tells me that I am a bad mom. Sometimes the self-doubt actually paralyzes me. Or, the self-doubt has me scrambling to do too much. But the self-doubt noise has largely died down, and I have learned to ignore the intrusive thoughts that I am harming my children.
by Hussain
I encountered my first obsessive thought when I was about 10 years old, centered around God and religion. As a shy kid, I kept these feelings to myself... But in my suffering with OCD, I found my passion and community. I made it my life goal to help others with OCD.

Share Your Story and Your Voice.

Help #breakthestigma Around Mental Health.

Read Stories From People Just Like You.

We invite you to explore personal stories submitted from ADAA's community to learn how people living with an anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression or a co-occurring disorder have struggled, coped, and triumphed. 

 

Do you have a story about your mental health journey? Your voice and your story can help transform the lives of many, help decrease stigma, and make one feel less alone.

 

We welcome written stories and short 2-3 minute videos, or a 1-2 minute recording, that we will share on the ADAA website, through our Triumph e-newsletter, and across our social media platforms. 

 

In a story of 500 -750 words (or a 2-3 minute video), please describe your mental health journey and how it has affected your life. Please provide a brief title and focus on the therapy or other treatments that have helped you manage or overcome your illness. Please include how ADAA's website or resources have helped you. In order to publish you story on our website and to share it on our social media platforms, we require that you use your real name and include a photo.

 

Please note that we do not accept advertorials (these stories should not include any call-outs for personal websites or publications or sell any products). We reserve the right to reject any story that we do not feel is appropriate to share. 

 

SUBMIT YOUR STORY


NOTE: ADAA reserves the right to edit for clarity, length, and editorial style. We do not guarantee that every submission will be published. If your story is accepted, you will be notified. If you have not heard from ADAA within one week of submission that means that your story has not been accepted. Once your story is posted on this website, it is the property of ADAA.
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