Will I be able to function normally with depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc?

Generally speaking, yes! There are some illnesses that make it difficult to hold a full time job, but people with several illnesses work every day. Just because you have a mental illness doesn’t mean it is a life sentence to disability. Untreated, depression can feel like an endless pit that a person cannot get out of, but treated, most people are able to live happy and successful lives. It is important to work with your therapist, take medication as prescribed, and utilize support groups. The important thing is to not give up hope. As I’ve said previously, hope is so important in recovery. Mental illnesses are just like other diseases – with medication and support, successful lives are possible. Think about someone with diabetes or high blood pressure. The illnesses are not cured with medication, but you will be able to live a normal life with it being treated. Sometimes the medication isn’t working well and it needs to be adjusted. Same with mental illness – sometimes medication needs to be adjusted. It is not something to feel like a failure about. You wouldn’t feel like a failure if your high blood pressure medication wasn’t working and needs to be adjusted. Mental illness is so prevalent in our society, it would be a shame if everyone with mental illness gave up hope and stopped working and stopped engaging in life. Can you imagine that? Instead, stay goal-oriented…what do you want to do? What are your goals? What do you need to do to meet your goals? What can you do today to work on your goals? There may be times you do not have the motivation or desire…but even people without mental illness don’t have motivation and desire to do what they want to or should do every day. That is also ok. Don’t make your expectations so high that they are unreachable. A happy and successful life is within your reach!