I remember when the grips of depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts first gripped me. I was 15 at the time and it was the first day or first week of year 11 and I was terrified.
I was diagnosed with depression in 2009 and anxiety soon followed. Having lost a 9 year relationship, several professional jobs and a number of friends due to the effects of the condition, I now consider it my most defining feature.
I've been experiencing mental illnesses for 16 years. I have OCD, I wasn't diagnosed with bipolar rapid cycling until 7 years ago, then a year later I was diagnosed with BPD. I have had quite a few close calls and desperate times. I have been both chaotic and painfully numb. But I am grateful to be here and truly shocked that I have made it this far.
Everyone has a story, everyone has a journey, whether it's just starting or beginning there is a journey that had begun or is yet to begin. Once upon a time my experiences were detrimental. I was constantly attempting to hide what was beneath, beneath all the clothes and smiles and dance moves.
I was diagnosed with 
Everyone has a