How depression and anxiety have made me stronger

When I first moved to university I really struggled. I became severely depressed and suffered from anxiety, I even made it worse by trying to hide it and keep it to myself and it eventually got to the point where I was breaking down every day. I was struggling to even leave my room which forced me to make real changes, including transferring to a different university.

Since then, I have done things such as Quidditch and Skydiving. I’ve studied abroad in China and gained internships within an investment bank and a consulting firm.

I still struggle sometimes, but MyPlus has made me more determined to break through any obstacles in my way. I’ve also become more open, in the hope that I might help other people who are going through something similar.

Through this change, I now look at life differently and see what really matters is being happy which has made me try all sorts of amazing experiences. I’ve realised one of my passions is helping other people which has led to me volunteering for numerous charities supporting children from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

One piece of advice I would give people is that it takes more strength to cut things that are detrimental to you out of your life than to fight through them, and ultimately it leads to being happier.

The photo is me presenting on the topic of Outsiderism at my University in China. A topic close to my heart that I believe can hugely affect mental health but is easy to fix.

Mubariz is studying Finance, Accounting and Management at the University of Nottingham.

Related topics

At MyPlus Students’ Club we have a range of blogs related to this topic, to read further click on the relevant link below:

Keeping up with mental health and my career

Running rings round my mental health

Mental health and university

Mental and physical illnesses are equal