JENNIFER'S STORY

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A little bit of my background:
Since the age of ten I have been dealing with my personal struggles with Bi polar, depression, and anxiety. When I was 11, I was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. My doctor gave me medication that made me gain 60 pounds in one summer. This was definitely a shot down of my self confidence and plus a wrong diagnosis. I was so annoyed that I said to my mom “I truly need to look into having another doctor". My mom agreed with me and from that moment on I started seeing a doctor who diagnosed me with bi polar, depression, and anxiety. I continue to see that doctor and he has been the best doctor who I have ever worked with.

Through the years:
Each and every day was a struggle in one way or another. With me being happy, mad, sad, angry and much more. Getting older seemed like it was getting worse. High school days were like pulling teeth. I was put down so
much and bullied because of my mental illness. It came to the point of my peers saying “Ben and Jerry" because of my weight and stereotyping me as the girl who always goes to the guidance office. It hurt really bad to be called such things. It felt like I was alone and nobody could understand me. Luckily with this entire struggle I completed High School.

How I got to the place I am right now:
In 2008 I voluntarily checked myself into a group home. The reason why I did this was for the fact of I could not cope with my emotions and handle everyday situations. Put it this way, I was not with the program. With being in and out of the hospital between 2006 and 2008 it really showed that I needed help. I was in that group home for about a year. Even though I hated it so much in the end it was a miracle that I did go in there and get the help that I truly needed. So in September 2009 I was at the point of being independent and was ready to find my own place to live. I completed that goal and right now I am in my own place, enrolled in college, in a wonderful relationship, taking my medication regularly, using the public transportation, and many more. With all this being said, my advice is keep positive even though at the most roughest times you want to say screw this.