I left my family and my home in Hawaii in 1995 and relocated to the Phoenix area 3 weeks after getting married. With no support system in place and a genetic predisposition, I easily slipped into major depression but wasn't diagnosed until over two years later. Being a stay-at-home mom aggravated my condition by helping me cut off my connections with the outside world. After a while going out caused anxiety attacks and eventually I developed agoraphobia. I ended up on antidepressant medication.
I discovered Toastmasters through a family member and started attending Gilbert. I joined after my first visit in spite of the fact that it was very uncomfortable for me to be out of my house. Yet at the same time, I wasn't uncomfortable at the meeting. The Club members gave me an extremely warm welcome and kept me at ease. I started working my way through the 10 Basic Manual speeches and immediately noticed my confidence level going up, and my self-esteem with it. I realized that the Toastmasters format allowed for that to occur easily. Evaluators are encouraged to find and cite strengths within a speech and make a couple of suggestions so that I could do even better in the next one.
It didn't take me very long before I began to view my fellow Gilbert Toastmasters as a part of my support system. I could open up to them and they would encourage me. I no longer see them as fellow club members, but as friends.
Oh, just as a postscript, with such a significant boost in self-confidence, I've been cured of my agoraphobia, and I have even been able to get off my antidepressants. And of course, I'm a better speaker!