Living Through Depression: Julia's Story

Summary

Julia, diagnosed with major depression and anxiety at 19, shares her journey from feeling hopeless and engaging in self-harm to seeking help and finding remission. She emphasizes the importance of asking for help, validates her feelings, and expresses her newfound passion for social work, aiming to assist children in crisis. Julia's story is a testament to resilience and the possibility of overcoming mental health challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Julia was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the age of 19 in 2017.
• 😔 She experienced anxiety from a young age, manifesting physically as chest tightness, shakiness, and stomach pain.
• 🌫 Her depression worsened through high school, leading to feelings of worthlessness and a bleak outlook on life.
• 🏆 Despite her internal struggles, Julia maintained a high-achieving facade, excelling in school and extracurricular activities.
• 🔪 Julia began self-harming and contemplating suicide as a way to cope with her overwhelming emotions.
• 🆘 She reached out to her mother for help, admitting she couldn't keep herself safe, which led to a life-changing intervention.
• 👩‍⚕️ Julia was evaluated by a social worker and for the first time, she was completely open about her mental health struggles.
• 🏥 She found solace and hope in the hospital, realizing that help was available and that she didn't have to die to find relief.
• 🎓 Now in remission, Julia is studying social work with a focus on behavioral health, aiming to help children in crisis or inpatient settings.
• 💪 She advocates for mental health awareness, encouraging others to seek help and not give up on themselves, as depression can and does get better.

Q & A

How old was Julia when she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder?

Julia was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the age of 19 in 2017.

What physical symptoms did Julia experience due to her anxiety?

Julia experienced tightness in her chest, shakiness, and stomach pain as physical symptoms of her anxiety.

How did Julia's mental health affect her perception of life during high school?

During high school, Julia's mental health made her perceive life as grey and filled with feelings of worthlessness.

What was Julia's outward appearance like despite her internal struggles?

Despite her internal struggles, Julia appeared to be a straight-A student, socially active with friends, involved in her church youth group, and a regular babysitter.

What coping mechanism did Julia resort to as her mental health deteriorated?

Julia started self-harming as a way to cope with her deteriorating mental health.

What was the turning point that led Julia to seek professional help?

The turning point was when Julia told her mom that she didn't think she could keep herself safe, leading her mom to call Children's Hospital hotline.

How did Julia feel after being evaluated by a social worker?

After being evaluated by a social worker, Julia felt completely broken and validated, with a sense of hope that help could be found.

What was Julia's realization about the nature of depression after her hospitalization?

Julia realized that depression lies and that it does get better, and that she had to fight to stay alive.

What is Julia's current status regarding her mental health?

Julia is currently in remission from her depression and is clean from self-harm.

What is Julia's educational and career goal after overcoming her struggles?

Julia is majoring in social work and aspires to work in behavioral health, specifically with children in crisis or inpatient settings.

What message does Julia have for others who might be struggling with depression?

Julia encourages others not to give up, to fight against depression's lies, and to hold on because it doesn't have to win and things can get better.