Hi Seddit, long time lurker here finally feeling I have something to share.

Due to self-inflicted isolation I began to doubt myself when I actually wanted to do things with other people. My anxiety grew into something that really crippled me socially. I grew apart from my closest friends and family. I couldn't bring myself to talk to anyone about how I felt. I realised this almost 2 years ago, and began absorbing information from here and other similar resources.

In the past month I really made progress and grew as a person. I started to self-analyse everything I did and diagnose exactly how I felt. This was probably the hardest time of my life so far.

In the aftermath of an event of extreme alcohol intoxication, something just switched in my head. I actually talked to people. A good long conversation with my closest friend and parents just brought me out of my mental rut.

The saying ‘the night is darkest before the dawn’ could not apply to me anymore. All my anxiety is gone. I don't care how people view me and my actions. I am motivated to study, to succeed. I want to spread my new-found happiness with everyone (hence why I am writing this). I feel I can get to know people; I want to get to know people. My sex drive has returned. I want to say 'yes' to everything. I feel as if I can get on with my life.

I still have a long way to go, but I have taken a massive leap forward. I can finally see that my future is bright, and I am ready for it.