First Person Experience: Luke

Summary

Luke, a 26-year-old with ADHD and depression, opens up about his struggles with mental health. He shares his journey from initially struggling with ADD, facing bullying, and dealing with depression in a small town. Luke explains the isolation he felt, leading to a suicide attempt at 17. He later sought help, including medication, therapy, and support, which helped him regain control of his life. Despite challenges, Luke emphasizes the importance of communication, understanding, and seeking help, and shares his experience of eventually overcoming the need for medication while managing his mental health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Luke is 26 years old and has attention deficit disorder (ADD), which affects his ability to focus and stay on task.
• 😀 ADD has been a lifelong issue, with symptoms becoming more problematic during junior high.
• 😀 Luke's diagnosis came after he took an online test and visited a psychiatrist, leading to medication that helped manage his condition.
• 😀 Depression is a constant presence in Luke's life, making it hard to enjoy even happy moments with friends.
• 😀 Being gay in a small town exacerbated Luke's depression, as he felt isolated and unable to be open about his identity.
• 😀 Luke faced bullying in school but kept his struggles internal, often feeling like asking for help was a sign of weakness.
• 😀 At 17, Luke seriously contemplated suicide and was hospitalized for two weeks, marking the beginning of people intervening in his life.
• 😀 Medication helped Luke manage his symptoms, but he acknowledges that it’s not a cure. It allowed him to reach his potential despite his scattered thoughts.
• 😀 Luke encourages seeking help when dealing with mental health struggles, advising people to talk to doctors, psychiatrists, or therapists and not let conditions go untreated.
• 😀 Luke emphasizes the importance of communication about mental health, as it helps reduce stigma and promotes understanding.
• 😀 After a few years on medication, Luke felt stable enough to stop using it with his doctor’s guidance and is currently doing much better, though he occasionally goes through rough patches.

Q & A

What activities does Luke enjoy in his free time?

Luke enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming.

How did Luke first realize he might have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?

Luke first realized he might have ADD when he took an online test and scored high for it, followed by a visit to a psychiatrist who confirmed the diagnosis.

What is the impact of ADD on Luke's daily life?

ADD affects Luke's ability to focus, stay on task, and maintain motivation, making him feel scattered and often unable to reach his potential.

How does Luke describe the feeling of depression?

Luke describes depression as a constant, heavy feeling that hangs over you like a blanket, making it difficult to enjoy life, even during enjoyable moments with friends.

When did Luke realize he wasn't heterosexual, and how did this affect him?

Luke realized he wasn't heterosexual in his teens. Growing up in a small town with little exposure to LGBTQ+ people, he struggled with negative stereotypes and suppressed his emotions, which worsened his depression.

How did being gay in a small town contribute to Luke's depression?

Being gay in a small town made Luke feel isolated and bullied, compounding his depression as he felt he had no one to turn to.

What were some of the misconceptions people had about Luke's depression?

Some people believed Luke should just 'get over it' or 'suck it up,' not understanding the depth of his struggle with depression.

What was the turning point in Luke's mental health journey?

The turning point came when Luke was 17 and attempted suicide. After being hospitalized for two weeks, his family and doctors started intervening, leading to treatment and support.

How did medication help Luke with his mental health?

Medication helped Luke manage his ADD and depression, allowing him to focus, stay on task, and reach his potential. It was not a cure, but it was a crucial tool for his improvement.

What advice does Luke give to others struggling with mental health?

Luke advises others to seek help when needed, whether through medication, therapy, or just talking to someone. He emphasizes that mental health issues should not be ignored or treated as a joke.