"I couldn’t be happier with the support I received"

I struggle with depression and anxiety after various traumas that happened in my life. I would find it hard to get up out of bed, bathe, socialise, or communicate my needs. I would drink alcohol and smoke weed to cope with my depression and stress levels. I couldn’t cope with day to day chores and found caring for my family extremely difficult. Any changes in my life seemed so overwhelming and unbearable that I constantly questioned my self worth and if I was gone would anyone care? 

I had been on medication and had done counselling and they would help for a while but I still struggled with finding balance in my work, family and love life. When stressed I would make reckless decisions, and react with an internal rage and scream and shout. 

I was referred to adult psychology after 7 years of experiencing severe bouts of depression. I met my therapist and over a course of approximately 8 sessions he helped support me to get better. 

During my sessions there would be tears, moments of clarity, various emotions and a lot of insight. I was taught about depression, the impact it can have on a person and how to build the skills to overcome periods of feeling down. I questioned my self worth, my childhood upbringing and the core beliefs that were instilled in me from two alcoholic parents. Everything from my childhood upbringing to my adult traumas that shaped me was being poked and prodded, broken down, compared and challenged. I gained insight, developed reflective practice and assessing skills, and the ability to identify possible triggers and how to manage these. I managed to recognise and develop areas in my life that needed boundaries, to stand up for myself, accept that I cannot change everything, that my past does not need to define me and most of all, I found self worth through self care and support from psychology therapy. 

I have made changes in my life that suit me, that happiness, peace and time with my family means more to me than chasing an ambition based on someone else’s expectations or thoughts about me. I focus on my needs, self development and inner peace. 

I couldn’t be happier with the support I received.

 Was it hard? yes! Was it challenging? Yes! Was it emotionally draining? Yes!

 But the knowledge and skills I learned through open and honest conversations will benefit me for the rest of my life.