Therapy, I'm sure it has a not so kindhearted stigma attached to it. I'm sure people avoid therapy to avoid any idea of being seen as "crazy" to society. I'm sure society has attached this stigma because of our lack in research with the brain given our history with mental illness.

However, in my experience therapy has always been about bettering myself as a person, to create a healthy person mentally, physically, and emotionally. I sometimes believe that I am one of the few that gets excited about therapy sessions. I feel this way because I do not view therapy as a negative portion of my life. I mean, my therapist did diagnose my ADHD resulting in a complete turn around of my life.

A couple of years ago I failed out of my first semester of college, I found out I would not be able to return the day before Christmas Eve. Having this major change in my life at the time was stressful, upsetting, and in some sense of the word, traumatizing. My parents came forward and told me it might help to talk to someone about everything I was feeling. So I agreed.

Unfortunately I had to hit rock bottom in order to get into therapy and figure out what was going on. But, in the long run, looking back now, it was the best decision my 19 year old self made. Had I not started seeing a therapist I may not have been diagnosed and would not be where I am today. Although I hit rock bottom, I will be forever thankful because it brought me a better future.

In therapy I was able to develop organization skills, coping mechanisms, and learn more about how my brain functions differently than others. Therapy helped me to relearn these basic skills in navigating everyday life. It helped me to fall in love with learning and school, because now I didn't feel like I was stupid, but now I knew that I am capable of much greater things than I thought.

Therapy gave me more confidence and stability than anything has before. With each new session is a new way to figure out life, to make mine easier, to help create a healthier mindset for myself. Therapy has given me techniques to help in times of high stress and anxiety. Therapy has given me guidance to handling panic attacks on my own. Therapy has given me a life that I am happy with.

As a young adult who struggles with anxiety and stress I thoroughly enjoy therapy and what it has to offer. I even suggest it to my friends who may be struggling with important relationships in their life, major life changes, stress, or anything they are struggling with. Don't get me wrong, it isn't for everyone and it isn't always the solution, but it helps to have a professional opinion sometimes.

There are many resources out there for many different reasons. One thing I would like to get across is that you do not have to be struggling with a mental illness to see a therapist. Also, seeing a therapist does not make you "crazy" or "mentally unstable." It is more than okay to ask for help when you need it, I promise.

Until next time,

Another ADHD Student