Who I Am

I am a 24-year-old black female who suffers from major depressive disorder (MDD). I can’t pinpoint the exact time it began, but it’s been at least 10 years. I remember attempting to cut myself as early as 12 years old. My self-deprecation tendencies — calling myself “stupid” in front of my teacher and classmates — date to about 8 or 9 years old. I have no problem admitting that I have perfectionistic tendencies. If something is not done right or to my liking — it’s not an A+ — then I am dissatisfied, upset, or worse yet, suicidal.