I have been going to therapy since I was 18 years old. I am almost 21, and it is the best decision I have ever made! I struggled alot in highschool. I suffered from multiple eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, as well as major depression disorder, and major anxiety disorder. I still struggle with these things today, but one thing that has helped to chill out and live is going to therapy!

There is alot of stigma behind seeing a therapist. Like, " If I go to therapy people will think I'm crazy. If I go to therapy that means there is something wrong with me." Or even that if you go to therapy, you automatically have to take some sort of pill. The first time I tried to go to a therapist, my mom made me. I went into the room, cussed her out, ripped up her papers, and stormed out of the room. I thought by going to therapy I was admitting that I was sick. But, what therapy really tries to do is give you a 3rd party objective perspective on your life.

Seeing a therapist has given me clarity. I have so much social anxiety that I am constantly looking over my shoulder. I think my friends are talking bad about me, that girls I don't know hate me, and even that my family members cannot stand being around me. My therapist helps me realize that this is the reality I have created for myself and it is not accurate. My therapist gives me advice that makes me go, "Oh? I guess I did not think of it that way." Seeing a therapist is a way to get out of your head and make you float on down back to earth.

Therapist can also be some of the closest people you have in life. They say you replace 7 of your friends, every year you grow up. What is so cool about my therapist, is that she is a constant thing in my life that I know is there for me whenever I need her. I tell her everything. About boys, my education, my job, everything. It's helpful for me to understand that this person will never judge anything I say, and I can count on her for an honest objective opinion. Think about how nice it would be for someone to always be real with you, that is my therapist!!

Therapy has also taught me mindfulness techniques, that I can use as coping mechanisms to stress. I have reoccurent panic attacks. I get dizzy and nasuseous and then most times I cannot breathe. One thing I learned from therapy is to count. I breathe in for four seconds, "1, 2 , 3 ,4," and out seven seconds, " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7." It helps me regulate my breathing so I can calm down my heart rate. 50% of college students sometimes feel so overwhelmed they cannot continue on academically. Seeing a therapist is a way a stuent can get some extra insight on their emotions .

So take advantage of therapy! Most colleges offer free mental health services as well as groups that can help you to manage anxiety and depression. I am not saying therapy is for everyone. Some people help themselves and for some people, they are not ocmfortable talking to someone. But, even if you're not struggling with anxiety or depression a therapist is a great way to talk about things that you might not be able to share with friends or family.

3 years out and while I might not being doing as well as I could be, therapy has helped me keep grounded. So try a therapist! You never know what you could find out about yourself. Therapy is a great way to understand how to live life to the fullest and push away negative thoughts. I can compare it to a light of sunshine on a really cloudy day. I love therapy, I think everyone should give it a chance.