After suddenly disappearing from the podcast for 6 months, Tarek returns with a powerful episode full of radical transparency and vulnerability like he never left. In this episode, Tarek takes us on the journey of what caused him to hit rock bottom when he thought he was on top of the world, a shocking diagnosis from his psychiatrist, navigating new medication, and everything he has learned about himself and anxiety in the process. This episode will give you insight into the process of starting a new medication for your mental health, how to identify and manage your own anxiety and/or depression, and encourage you to allow more support in your life from family, friends, and more.  0:00-10:06 Too Much Trauma — stressors that got me here 10:06 Overcompensating, Avoiding Depression, Toxic Positivity, Sacrifice 15:42 The Evaluation 18:40 The Diagnosis 20:36 Fear of Starting Medicine, Self Shaming, Not Deserving Help 23:15 Changing Perspective of Medicine, Fighting Stigma 30:12 No Time to Live, Only Time to Cope 38:35 Healing with my Dad 42:40 Keep Trying. Keep Trying. Keep Trying. 44:20 Identifying Anxiety. 50:00 Not a Cure 52:14 Normalizing Anxiety 1:00:00 0 to 100...mg? Self Shame, Giving Anxiety a Voice 1:04:00 Affirmations, Motivation, & Encouragement