On June 5th, I made the decision with my doctor to address my anxiety disorder of 11 years, and started taking Zoloft. Unfortunately, just a few hours after my first dose, I passed out at work and have been unable to return since then because of my anxiety spiraling out of control versus how it was in the past. My anxiety has become severe and unpredictable, which so far has made it impossible to return to my job as a traffic signal technician—a role I’ve held with the same company since 2006.

I’m currently receiving short-term disability but the coverage ends on December 11th, while my intensive outpatient therapy continues until at least January 13th. This means I’ll be without any income for over a month at least, and I’m deeply concerned about how I’ll manage basic living expenses during this time. I don't want to feel like my recovery should be rushed, but unfortunately that's how it feels right now since I'll soon have no income. I'm currently seeking legal council to help with getting me in with social security disability, but that will be a time-consuming process that may take months...all that time without any sort of income after my current private disability expires.

These past five months have been the hardest of my life. Every day is a struggle, and my only goal is to recover fully from this experience. My daily routine has been entirely different and foreign to me—I used to be social and active, but now anxiety keeps me at home, worried about leaving and possibly passing out in public from the symptoms I have all the time. My relationships have suffered, too, as I often have to cancel plans depending on how I feel. I want to give myself the time I need to heal without the added fear of losing my home. Any support during this difficult period would mean so much and help me focus on my recovery.

Thank you all for your support, whether it is through prayer or financially. I know God has a plan in all of this, and I need to trust in it more than I ever have before.