To be completely honest with you, when I was diagnosed a few years back, I didn't think I'd make it past 22. People would think it's silly, but if you live with demons inside your head, all you ever want is for it to end. I thought ending my life would mean ending the voices and the pain, but I'm glad I'm still here. My journey with medication, therapy and everything else has made me realised that I didn't really need people to understand what I'm going through, I needed people to accept what I have. Although I didn’t choose to be depressed or schizophrenic, I do have the choice to manage it. Of course, it’s easier said than done but if you have the right people with you, the ones who truly see you other than your depressed, manic self – then you’ll get through it. A day at a time and as long as you need to. You might think it’s dead end at the end of the tunnel but light can enter where there’s a crack in it. When you get that glimpse of hope, hold on to it because no matter what people say, or what the monsters in your head tells you; you are needed here and you are alive.