For as long as I can remember, anxiety has been my constant companion. I always hesitated to voice out or even engage myself with anything. Simple tasks like meeting new people and talking to somebody over a call was difficult and overwhelming. At first, these episodes were rare, but they became more frequent. My mind would race with “what if'' scenarios constantly and I felt paralyzed overthinking about everything.

Anxiety started creeping into my life during college. I would avoid social events and make excuses to stay at home. I thought these feelings were normal, but as I grew older, they only got worse. I had trouble sleeping, my heart beat would start elevating when people gave attention to me. It felt like everybody was judging me. It was exhausting to a level that my energy would drain very easily in result ruining my entire day. My insecurities popped in my head when I was surrounded by people. For a long time, I didn’t talk about my anxiety. I thought I should be able to handle it on my own. But I was always tense, and I couldn’t focus on anything.

Eventually I felt trapped in a cycle of fear and doubt. I knew I needed help but was too scared to take the first step. Life was piling up with stress from work, relationships and just everyday struggles. My friends spoke about therapy whenever I ranted about my feelings. I was contemplating a lot initially before I mustered up the courage to seek support. Walking into my therapist’s office for the first time was nerve wrecking. I was worried about being judged or not knowing what to say. But my therapist was kind and patient, making me comfortable right away. She explained that therapy is a safe space to talk about anything on my mind, and that made a big difference.

In the beginning, it felt strange to open up, I didn’t know where to start. But therapist helped by asking simple questions and listening carefully. Slowly, I began to talk about my worries, fears and even my past. It felt like a weight was being lifted off my shoulders. As weeks went by, I started to learn more about myself and my anxiety. Before, I odten used to feel overwhelmed without knowing why. My therapist helped me regulate my emotions and made me stay aware of my reactions to situations. She helped me with tools to manage stress and anxiety, like deep breathing and mindfulness exercises. These small changes made a huge impact in my daily life.

As weeks turned into months, I noticed that I was becoming more confident and happier. I started setting boundaries and saying no when I needed to, which was something I struggled with before. Going to therapy was not easy at all and some sessions were tough and brought up painful memories. But facing those helped me heal and grow.

Now, I feel more in control of my life. I’m not perfect, but I have a clear understanding of myself and how to handle situations. I still struggle dealing with anxiety but with support and guidance I try to overcome those difficult moments.

If you're struggling with anxiety, consider reaching out to a therapist in Chennai or exploring online therapy options. There are many qualified professionals who can help you navigate your journey to mental wellness.