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I don't see a lot of people in my circle talking about mental health and therapy so here's a thread about my experience so far. Feel free to ask any question!
I've always felt I was strong and that I didn't need therapy. Recently, a small event threw me in a downward spiral.
I've always felt I was strong and that I didn't need therapy. Recently, a small event threw me in a downward spiral.
My first reflex was to blame my aunt's recent death for that instability I was feeling within me. So I decided to consult a therapist in the hope of better handling my grief.
Boy was I mistaken on the source of that instability.
Boy was I mistaken on the source of that instability.
Within the first two sessions, it became crystal clear that I was handling that grief very well. That brings me my first point: a therapist is a professionnal. They are trained to help you find your issues (not give you the answer but make you come to the answer yourself)
No amount of talking with friends or reading stuff in the internet can replace that outside trained perspective.
However, therapy is expensive and not easily accessible. I am privileged to be able to afford it and work on issues I didn't even realize I had.
However, therapy is expensive and not easily accessible. I am privileged to be able to afford it and work on issues I didn't even realize I had.
There is some resources for accessible therapy and I highly encourage you to seek out what they are where you live. The waiting list might be long, but I swear it is worth it.
You might start therapy with something in mind and it might go in a totally different direction.
You might start therapy with something in mind and it might go in a totally different direction.
That's okay. Therapy is a very organic process in my experience so far and you should follow it where it goes.
If I had stuck with my initial mindset, I wouldn't be aware of a few very defining factors for who I am.
So, keep an open mind.
If I had stuck with my initial mindset, I wouldn't be aware of a few very defining factors for who I am.
So, keep an open mind.
More importantly, be open. If you want therapy to be effective, you must be totally open with your therapist.
Also, therapy is hard. It will make you relive stuff you went through and it is emotionally draining. Trust me, it is worth it!
Also, therapy is hard. It will make you relive stuff you went through and it is emotionally draining. Trust me, it is worth it!
The sense of relief and peace that comes with it is something I'm unable to describe.
All that being said, it's not a magic bullet either. You will have bad days again. Days you feel you have undone all the progress you made. It's okay, it's part of it, part of life.
All that being said, it's not a magic bullet either. You will have bad days again. Days you feel you have undone all the progress you made. It's okay, it's part of it, part of life.
A bad day doesn't undo the good days.
I'm aware this thread is a bit all over the place. It's okay! The main point I'm trying to make is that we should normalize talking about this.
I'm aware this thread is a bit all over the place. It's okay! The main point I'm trying to make is that we should normalize talking about this.
That's what I'll try to do in the coming weeks by sharing openly things about my therapy.
Also, Friends, if any of you ever need an ear, I'll be here, without judgement
Also, Friends, if any of you ever need an ear, I'll be here, without judgement
