I Thought It Was Anxiety. Then the Hallucinations Started
It was like something inside me snapped, and these delusions, hallucinations and paranoia became debilitating.
In early 2025, the narrator experienced a dramatic shift in their mental health, struggling with undiagnosed anxiety and depression. Their anxiety and paranoia worsened in the spring and early summer, leading to hallucinations, delusions, and constant fear that their ex-partner would reappear unexpectedly. Paranoia stemmed from the belief that the ex was following them and planning to show up unannounced.
The narrator's sleep was disrupted, with only three to four hours of rest per night, and they often woke up feeling exhausted and mentally drained. They spent countless hours searching for their ex, even driving around his house and witnessing his truck multiple times. This delusion persisted, causing the narrator to believe they were being followed by their ex and others around them.
The narrator's mental state deteriorated, and they fell behind at work, stopped exercising, and lost motivation. After a particularly intense hallucination episode in June 2025, the narrator reached out for professional help and was diagnosed with psychosis. They were prescribed antipsychotic medication, as well as treatment for anxiety and depression.
Although it took four months for the medication to take effect, the narrator's sleep improved, and they began to regain control of their emotions. By August 2025, the narrator started to regain some semblance of their old self and decided to attend a concert by Gracie Abrams. The experience gave them hope and inspired them to make a change.
In January 2026, the narrator felt good enough to resume exercising and set a goal to run a half-marathon. Over the past four months, they have been running consistently and have completed seven miles, training for 13 weeks until their first race. Running has helped the narrator disconnect from their thoughts, focus on the present, and reflect on their progress.
They acknowledge that their journey has been challenging, but they emphasize the importance of leaning on loved ones, trusting their support, and taking responsibility for their mental health. With medication, therapy, and a commitment to self-improvement, the narrator has experienced a remarkable transformation, moving on from the person they were a year ago and looking forward to a brighter future.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
