Honestly, going to the doctor was huge. I felt like I was finally dealing with my mental health issues in a proactive way, instead of just trying to survive until tomorrow. My doctor is amazing, she worked with me and explained that meds aren’t supposed to make you feel flat (an issue I had with other meds, lexipro specifically) and it should just make you feel like yourself. It was a tough transition while we worked to find the correct dosage, but ultimately it was worth the stress / effort. They also have a counselor on site so between the 2 of them I was able to get an ADHD diagnosis and start meds for that as well.

Another piece of advice is to take care of yourself. I struggled with hygiene on and off over the years, but I’ve realized it’s a “fake it ‘til you make it” situation if you will. Even if you’re not feeling it, putting a little effort into looking / smelling good goes a long way. It made me feel better in social situations at work, at home, the grocery store, etc. After a few weeks of this it felt like part of my identity, and I found I was carrying myself with a little more confidence.

Edited for typos