I have been struggling with severe anxiety since I lost my job at the beginning of the year. For almost two months I have been having anxiety leaving the house, driving, sleeping, eating, etc. I have dealt with anxiety since 2016 but it has never been this hard. After two months of crying for hours in the shower, wanting to be alone, and suicidal thoughts I decided that it was time for me to make a change. I hate opening up to people and have never done it before but something told me to tell my parents tonight. I wrote it out to myself as to what I were to say and told them everything that was on my plate. Immediately after doing so that tightness in my chest released and for the first time in two months I felt relaxed and calm. Now I feel I have the courage to take it to the next step and seek help from a professional. 

For whoever is struggling, it is only temporary. Talk to someone!! Please!! Don't let this control your life like I let it control me for so long. If you feel you do not have anyone to talk to there is a 24 hour hotline that lets you talk to a counselor for free text or call. The counselor will even check up on you later down the road. Here is the link: [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/](https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/)