Anxiety and depression very nearly derailed my career (and my life itself) right at the end of college. I was working 35 hours a week at a startup and studying two difficult subjects at my university (computer science and Latin) while maintaining an active social life.<p>I kept pushing myself harder and harder, and essentially collapsed. Somehow I managed to stay at my job while I entered the mental health system and started taking care of my mind.<p>I had an extremely bad reaction to Prozac and then tried to manage my issues with diet, exercise, and meditation. For 2 years I was surviving but I certainly wasn&#x27;t better.<p>Then I decided to try medication again, and started lexapro. Within 2 weeks my mental state had drastically improved, and I was actually feeling joy and excitement again. The panic attacks disappeared, while the general anxiety is much reduced.<p>It&#x27;s been several years since then, and I&#x27;m still on a low dose of lexapro while eating healthy, exercising, and meditating. I&#x27;m much more aware of my mental health and don&#x27;t push myself past the breaking point.<p>Yet my output, productivity, and drive is higher than ever, much better than it was before entering treatment.<p>If you are suffering from similar issues, I highly suggest entering the mental health system and doing everything in your power to try and get better. Stay positive and don&#x27;t give up.