Sharing my personal experience living with anxiety and depression and answering reader questions in a Q&A.
I’ve written about my eating disorder elsewhere on the blog, but I haven’t written much about my anxiety and depression. My eating disorder developed in part because my depression wasn’t managed, and the conditions became intertwined at different times in my life. Below I give a concise account of my journey and then answer questions I received from readers on Instagram Stories.
Quick note: I’m hosting a LIVE webinar on January 7th at 8 PM CST with Healthy Glow Co. and Monique. We’ll continue this conversation about mental health and share more of our recovery stories. Storytelling has been a powerful part of healing our relationships with food and movement, and we’ll be discussing it live. Mark your calendars and sign up HERE.
Before I begin: I am not a doctor. I’m sharing my personal experience and not medical advice. Everyone’s situation is unique—please consult a healthcare professional about your mental health.
My Anxiety and Depression Story
I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2011, when I was a junior at the University of Minnesota. That period marked rock bottom for my eating disorder, which included elements of anorexia and orthorexia. With major life changes, low self-confidence, and a desire to control something, I turned inward and focused on my body. I tracked calories, pushed myself at the gym, and watched my appearance change quickly—which only reinforced the disorder.
My weight loss was the clearest sign something was wrong. After dropping more than 30 pounds in about six weeks, my family intervened and got me into therapy and psychiatric care. Initially I resisted admitting there was a problem, but over time I recognized that I had an eating disorder along with depression and anxiety. For a long time I described it as “a poor relationship with food” combined with ongoing mood issues.
During that time I obsessed over perfection—grades, appearance, and lifestyle. I avoided typical college experiences because of anxiety around food and alcohol, ate very little, and withdrew socially. Dating felt impossible because I didn’t feel worthy, and many activities I might have enjoyed were sidelined by fear and rigid rules about “being healthy.”
The Turning Point and Where I Am Today
The turning point for me was starting medication. While medication wasn’t a silver bullet, it allowed my mindset to shift and opened the door for lasting change. I also committed to therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and rebuilding a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and myself. This blog became a productive outlet for obsessive energy and helped me build a meaningful career and community.
It’s been nearly seven years since my diagnosis and starting medication, and I am in a much better place. My eating disorder is under control, my relationships are supportive, and I feel content with the life I’ve created. I maintain my mental health through a combination of medication and holistic practices. I currently take 100 mg of Sertraline and follow daily and weekly routines that help keep me balanced. Most days I forget I have depression; anxiety tends to be the more fluctuating symptom now.
Below I answer common questions about anxiety, depression, and medication. If you have more questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to respond.
Anxiety and Depression Q&A
What do anxiety and depression feel like to you?
Anxiety feels like being stuck inside my own thoughts, obsessing over worries and finding it hard to focus on daily life. My mind races and fixates. Depression shows up as a heavy, unexplained sadness—like a dark cloud that settles in and dampens everything for a time.
What are your anxiety side effects?
My anxiety can cause insomnia (waking in the night and not being able to return to sleep), night sweats, shortness of breath when I’m overwhelmed, nail and cuticle biting, and difficulty concentrating. The night sweats are a newer symptom for me and can leave sheets and hair soaked a few times a week. The inability to focus is the most persistent challenge—thoughts crowd my head and make it hard to complete tasks.
How did you get diagnosed?
I probably wouldn’t have sought help without my family’s concern over my rapid weight loss. Seeing a therapist made the issues clear, and because I have a family history of depression, my loved ones recognized the signs. Through therapy and psychiatric evaluation, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
How do you manage anxiety holistically?
I practice a range of self-care strategies that help me stay resilient, especially during darker months:
- Surrounding myself with supportive people who understand.
- Taking naps when needed.
- Eating a balanced, intuitive diet rather than following rigid rules.
- Spending time outdoors for fresh air and sunlight.
- Getting regular massages—at least monthly—to relieve tension.
- Using essential oils in a diffuser or on my pillow for relaxation.
- Trying acupuncture for relaxation and meditation benefits.
- Doing yoga when possible, which always leaves me feeling refreshed.
What helps you in the moment when anxiety hits?
Deep breathing and talking about my feelings help the most. Speaking aloud about what I’m experiencing often brings immediate relief.
Do you see a therapist now?
I don’t currently see a therapist because my mental health is stable, but I went to therapy early on and found it essential. I recommend therapy to everyone and plan to resume sessions in the future.
Do you ever struggle to get out of bed?
Not anymore. My depression is under control and I’m naturally a morning person, so getting up is not usually a problem.
What do you do when you get very anxious?
I talk to someone close to me, seek physical comfort like a hug, and practice self-care—taking a bath, stepping away from my phone, resting, or doing a calming activity like pottery. Those things help me step away from the spiral.
How do you deal with insomnia?
I’m still working on it. One effective trick for me is changing my location—moving to the couch if I can’t fall back asleep often helps. Limiting phone use in bed is crucial—checking the time or scrolling makes it worse.
How do you manage relationships while living with mental illness?
Open communication is essential. I tell the people closest to me how I feel and what I need. Having partners and friends who listen without judgment makes a huge difference.
Any tips for seasonal depression?
Seasonal depression affects me too. I bring life into my space with plants, and I make a point to get out of the house and schedule social plans so I don’t fall into hibernation. Staying active and connected keeps me moving through the season.
Medication Q&A
Medication is a personal decision, and it helped me make other meaningful changes in my recovery. Again, I am not a doctor—this is my experience only.
What medication are you on?
I take Sertraline, the generic form of Zoloft, prescribed for both anxiety and depression.
Was it prescribed by a professional?
Yes. I worked with a therapist and a psychiatrist, and I continue to check in with my prescribing doctor every few months.
How long have you been on medication?
I started medication in 2011 and have taken it consistently since then.
Will you be on medication forever?
I don’t know the answer to that, and I’m open to whatever is best for my health over time.
What prompted you to begin medication?
The severity of my eating disorder and the level of malnourishment I experienced were the tipping points. My family encouraged me to seek help, and when my doctor recommended medication, I agreed to try it as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Was it hard to start medication?
Yes—very hard. I worried it would change who I was, affect my body, or disrupt my hormones. Those fears were intense, but following medical advice ultimately helped save my life.
Have you stayed on the same dosage?
I’ve been on Sertraline since I started, but my dosage increased gradually under medical supervision. I began at 25 mg, later increased to 50 mg, and eventually to 100 mg—all changes my doctor recommended.
Does the medication make you sleepy?
It’s hard to separate the effects of medication from my natural sleep needs. I generally need a lot of sleep—around nine hours—and sometimes naps. I can’t say for certain how much the medication contributes to that.
I’m Hosting a LIVE Webinar
I’m hosting a LIVE webinar with Monique to create space for honest conversation about mental health, recovery, and rebuilding a healthy relationship with food and movement. We’ll share our journeys, offer practical tips, and answer questions live—this conversation ties directly to the topics covered here.
WHEN: Sunday | January 7th | 8 PM CST
SIGN UP: HERE
Looking forward to the conversation—see you there <3