breakthestigma

Introduction:

Hi, I am part of the MBBS undergraduate journey. I faced many hardships and challenges during this journey, and I would like to share one of my personal secrets and former insecurities. I never used to talk about it with anyone. I worried about what others would think and feared they would judge me or leave me behind, making me feel alone. This is about my "anxiety issues." Not just simple anxiety, but a specific subtype.It was in 2022 when I first felt the symptoms. At that time, AI was on the rise, so I entered my symptoms into an AI bot, which suggested that I had anxiety and needed medical care. I sought medical help, and slowly, over time, my anxiety started improving. Many people with anxiety suffer in silence, not reaching out for help, or those who receive proper treatment do not talk about it much. In this modern time, no one talks about our mental problems. So, I feel compelled to share my experience in hopes that someone else might find help.

My Experience:It was my decision to seek medical help. At first, I had many questions swirling in my head: Why me? Why am I the only one affected? Will the medical help work for me? Will the treatment decrease my mental stability or my mind's retention? Will I need electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?But hold on, after the first day, all my doubts disappeared, and I felt much better after the first counseling session. My doctors advised some investigations before starting medications. After the investigations, I attended my second counseling session. My doctor clearly explained that the medication was to be taken on an emergency basis and would not affect my mind or mental stability.After the first or second counseling session, I felt significantly better as my anxieties began to disappear, allowing me to enjoy life more easily. Sometimes, I feel lucky that I self-diagnosed the problem and sought medical help before the condition worsened.

Support System:My support system included my psychiatric doctor and their strategies. My doctor gave me ample time during counseling sessions to speak about everything that bothered me, whether it was related to my friends, class performance, or other issues. My doctor used therapy sessions to address my anxieties.Additionally, my support system included my soul sister. She had no idea what anxiety was or how I felt, but she listened to everything I said and comforted me, assuring me that everything would be fine. My family also provided support by offering comfort and understanding.

Coping Strategies:My doctor recommended a novel to help me overcome my anxieties. She even bought the novel for me. Reading it thoroughly gave me insights into various coping strategies. The strategies that worked for me included:

- Affirmations

- Diverting my mind from constantly worrying about others' opinions

- Avoiding perfectionism

- Shame attack exercises

Most importantly, accepting that I had a problem and believing that I could overcome it

Message of Hope:I always thought that overcoming anxiety was a huge task, but accepting the problem and believing in my ability to overcome it made the process easier, though not easy. Great things take time. There were times when I felt extremely anxious and hopeless, but I would recall my support systems and reach out to my sister, who would help me get through those moments. Remember, mental problems are internal and invisible to others. It's essential to gather strength within yourself and stay happy.Awareness:I once read that people often care about what is visible, focusing on physical health while mental issues go unnoticed. When untreated, they can progress to something more severe than expected. So, if you feel something is wrong, seek medical help as I did, without delay.

Conclusion:In conclusion, people may not understand what is happening in your mind, so it's our duty to seek medical help if we are not feeling well. Don't feel sad; you are not alone in this journey. Many people neglect their mental health or avoid talking about it. Focus on what you want and remember to stand up for your mental health. If I can help, feel free to reach out to me.#overcominganxiety #anxietyawareness #overcominganxiety #mentalhealthmatters #Anxiety #togetherwecan #breakthestigma