I was encouraged to introduce myself. I'm 34 and have struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life. When I got older, I learned that these were all symptoms of PTSD. I haven't had an easy life and although I'm filled with gratitude for all the good I have, it's not getting any easier. I have physical illnesses (PKD and Epilepsy) that are progressing as I age and that never helps my mental health at all. Most of my days are spent in bed which is so drastically different than how I used to be before my physical illness symptoms caught up with me. My depression is always worse in the summer time. When I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder at 26, I rejected it because I was under the impression that SAD was for "winter blues." I didn't have a good doctor at the time so she didn't explain things at all. My current doctor is better now. I was told that Reverse SAD (summer depression) is very real and just knowing that helped me not feel like was completely losing it every summer. It's always felt so defeating when I feel so vibrant and alive during the cold months but then turn into this pile of miserable ash when the temperature gets 80 degrees or above. So here I am, doing my best to handle the excessive heat. I'm in pain too often. I'm crying, anxious, or numb too often. But I'm here. When I feel like I can get through the days despite how miserable I am, I consider it a win. I'm a writer so I have a good outlet. I am very well cared for by my husband. I'll reach out when I'm in crisis. It's no fun living with all this. But groups like this one help me feel less alone. All I have is my husband. I've moved from friends and family and sometimes homesickness feels like it's helping to kill me along with my other diseases. Still, I want to be here, ya know? I'm glad to be here and be a part of the group.