Journal Article — Treading Water: Self-Reflections on Generalized Anxiety Disorder — by Megan Murray

It has taken me twenty two years to face the fact that I am suffering needlessly from a debilitating problem, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I suffered silently in fear that my peers, teachers, family, friends, and my boyfriend would discover my secret. I found it hard to hide my emotions and phobias in front of those I loved. I felt like I was a prisoner of my own emotions and fears. I managed to conceal my inner thoughts until recently, when I decided it was time to own up to what has plagued me for a lifetime. I decided it was time to free myself. The day I admitted I had an anxiety disorder was the first day of a new life for me. I am ready to free the emotions that lay trapped in my mind and have haunted me to this day as an adult.