MadxChad

Here is a bit of my history:

I suffer from PSTD and many related cor-morbid disorders. I was predisposed to anxiety and depressive disorders as it is quite frequent in both sides of my family. I endured ongoing traumatic events of abuse from the ages of 12-14. I developed PTSD and a host of other disorders. I briefly tried psychotherapy and medications but did not enjoy the side effects that came along with them. I self medicated through the use of drugs and alcohol throughout high school and into my late twenties. I went through good periods and bad periods. When I was working I was always successful. I was off and on in continuing my education. I dropped out of high school and got my GED. I went to junior college but then stopped to work full time. There were periods were I would work full time and go to school full time and there were periods where I would only go to school full time and not work. Throughout this whole time I was self medicating and just trying to deal with underlying problems I had and to keep them internal. I broke up with my girlfriend who I was living with and moved home with my parents shortly before finally finishing my bachelors degree. Shortly after graduating I had another falling out with the ex which sent me into depression. Although now with no obligation to her, no obligation to school, no obligation to work, I was happy to just sit in my room and not have to deal with the anxiety that came from the outside world. My depression got worse the more I stayed in my room. My anxiety also go worse. I developed agoraphobia, something that I had mild symptoms of before but I attributed it more to anxiety than anything else. During this time I was not self medicating. After about 6 or 7 months I finally reached a breaking point and had to ask my parents for help. They are very supportive and I think I probably wouldn't be alive without them. I went back to my psychiatrist whom I have occasionally gone to over the years and who I initially started seeing 15 years ago. I was ready to try some meds and psychotherapy to get better. I've read posts on websites like these for quite a while and are in itself a form of therapy. As I am starting new medications, I now join in hopes of getting some of my questions about medications and general support through this and other forums. I hope to soon be better.