[Serious] When did you finally seek treatment for a mental disorder?

I've had some level of general anxiety for ages, probably early teens, but being a teen is a fun trainwreck of hormones and emotions anyway.

Started dating my now-husband at 19 and over the years there were points where he highly suggested I go see a doc about my anxiety. Growing up, though, my mom was 100% anti-prescriptions for anything non-physically wrong. She always felt there was some natural option instead.

Husband and I at 23 moved cross-country to finish out Bachelors. While residents, everything was fine, I only got normal levels of stress from trying to get A's in everything. After that, we moved into a rented home and started working, but his own health/mental health issues took over and I wound up having to support both of us on one salary... we managed, but my anxiety flew off the handles. Panic attacks nearly every day. Mine were, what I call, "locking." Including some normal panic attack symptoms like increased heartbeat or trouble breathing, I'd go into a mode where I couldn't move, could barely think. I'd be sitting on the couch. I could communicate, but I felt like a robot that was shut down except for my brain.

Finally went to see a doc, told him everything, he got me started on a daily pill (can't remember the name) and gave me a "emergency" prescript too, stronger stuff to just take during/upcoming on a panic attack.

The dailies started helping that week, and I avoided taking my emergencies too often, but they were perfect for when an attack was starting. I just went back to normal. I've been told those pills will make "normal" people mildly high, so it was interesting that it literally just calmed me down.

I moved, more stable living situation, and I'm not taking my dailies anymore now. My anxiety's been in great check and I just don't want to take stuff if I don't need it. I plan on telling my next doc my situation and seeing what he says. I'll def go back on the stuff if I ever feel it arising again, though.

/r/AskReddit Thread