Hello everyone,

I've been a reader of the boards for some time now, but recently decided to participate.

I'm a 29 year old male who has struggled with mental illness for about 5 yrs. now. The short story was that after a particularly stressful final semester in college (a difficult internship, a breakup with a girlfriend, the overall stress that accompanies leaving college and entering the "real world") I had a really sudden, acute onset of mental illness. It literally occurred within the space of a week. I was normal one day and suddenly within a few days I was worried, fearful, and unable to concentrate. My life has not been the same since.

I eventually saw a psychologist who though I had OCD. I even took Paxil for a year (which in no way helped.) For some reason I was never comfortable with the OCD diagnosis. I after a few years ended up seeing a different psych. who gave me a more through psychological screening said I had strong characteristics of PTSD.

I wasn't sold on this theory but it was intriguing. I read up on PTSD and found out that some symptoms fit me to a "T" and others did not. I had never been in combat, I had not experienced some sort violent crime or even seen one. I will admit that I had an fairly unhealthy childhood, which I read can lead to PTSD susceptibility. I will also admit that during that fateful final semester, I was probably drinking more than I should to deal with the stress.

I suppose what I'm trying to find out is if anyone has had similar experience and what has helped for them. Everything I read seems to address PTSD associated with combat or victims of violence.

Thanks for reading and look forward to discussions with with you guys.