Sara had always been a vivacious, upbeat, go-getter. She was admired for her unwavering optimism and exuberant personality that always lit up a room. But something began to shift subtly and ominously over a few months.
She woke up each morning feeling a lot more exhausted than before, like she hadn't rested at all. Despite a full night's sleep, she had no energy and would start to feel drowsy again right after breakfast.
It was like the desire to do things was sucked right out of her. Even activities that used to ignite passion in her, like baking, reading or playing the guitar, seemed unappealing. Everything was colorless and drab.
What concerned her most, though, was her deteriorating concentration. Simple tasks seemed difficult as her thoughts seemed fragmented and unsteady. During work hours, it was like her mind was on a runaway train - one minute here, the next minute somewhere else. Deadlines were missed and errors in her work were escalating.
Sara started experiencing unexplained bouts of worry, with the anxiety keeping her up at night. She became hyper-sensitive to her environment, feeling overly irritated by minor annoyances like loud noises or bright lights.
Appetite also took a nosedive. She lost the pleasure of enjoying meals and was gradually losing weight. Binging on junk food became more of a comfort. Yet the unbalanced diet added to her problems by making her feel nauseous and uncomfortable.
Sara felt a distinct loss of self-worth. Her once radiant smile seemed almost artificial. Laughter seemed a distant memory, while she withdrew into her cocoon, cutting herself off from family and friends.
What used to be small problems started to seem insurmountable, while bouts of tears seemed to sneak up on her out of nowhere. Eventually, Sara felt engulfed in a thick blanket of hopelessness that she couldn't shake off, no matter how hard she tried. Her spirit felt tarnished, replaced with an undercurrent of gloom that left her feeling worthless.
As these symptoms persisted, it became evident that Sara's mental health was on the decline. Although she found it hard to come to terms with the change, she mustered the courage to seek professional help. The journey to healing wouldn't be easy, but with time and patience, Sara hoped to recapture the essence of her vibrant spirit once again.