Navigating life’s struggles can feel as disorienting as Alice’s adventures in Wonderland, where nothing seems quite right and each turn leads to a new challenge. It can also feel like Bruce Wayne’s journey in Gotham, filled with moments of doubt and introspection that eventually lead to strength and clarity.
Shiv (name changed), a 21-year-old from Bangalore, experienced his own journey through a maze of academic pressure and self-discovery. He recently completed his engineering studies at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur.
Growing up, he lived in various places, including Bangalore and America, and shared his life with his parents and sister.
“I had a cordial and respectable relationship with my family however we had our share of ups and downs as any normal family.”
In his free time, Shiv enjoys reading novels, playing the keyboard, and delving into psychology and philosophy texts. Despite these interests and a supportive family, Shiv faced significant challenges during his academic journey.
While he was studying at IIT Kharagpur, Shiv stumbled upon an email from the student platform about YourDOST, the college’s official mental health partner. The timing was impeccable as Shiv was grappling with one of the most challenging phases of his life. He had been struggling with a lack of motivation to study, an issue that persisted for 3-4 years.
“I couldn’t figure out the root cause of this lack of motivation and didn’t know what could be done better. Journaling on my own and trying to understand my emotions retrospectively didn’t solve my problems.”
Shiv turned to spirituality and meditation exercises, hoping they would provide the solace he desperately needed. His core identity was tied to his academic success, and when that was in jeopardy, he felt shaken. Though there were personal relationships that caused concern, the primary issue was his academic backfall.
That’s when Shiv decided to try therapy and reached out to YourDOST. His therapist, Ms Deepti Acharya, made a lasting impression from their very first session. She was empathetic and focused on understanding Shiv rather than offering mechanical solutions.
“Deepti was empathetic and attempted to understand and not control me in a mechanical way. She helped me understand the sense of satisfaction when I confided in her.”
Shiv was clear with Deepti about his approach to therapy. He didn’t want a mechanical, solution-oriented process but rather an analysis of his emotions and an intense introspection. Talking about his issues and discussing his life situations was what he looked forward to in each session.
“I was looking for a deep dive analysis through my mind and an intense introspection.”
Through these sessions, Shiv found a space to discuss his deepest concerns and worst memories, which he had buried deep within his mind. This process brought about both long-term and short-term changes, with some short-term changes feeling almost miraculous.
“We talked specifically about my worst memories that I buried down in my mind, and there were several sessions when I came out feeling alive and peaceful. I could see a real change in 1 hour and it was unbelievable.”
Deepti advised Shiv to practices various meditation practices that provided him with new insights. These practices helped him gain mental clarity and peace of mind, two things he desperately sought.
Shiv’s journey through therapy led to significant positive changes in his life. He started noticing improvements in his mental clarity and overall sense of peace. He felt more alive and less burdened by his past struggles.
“I am grateful for Ms Deepti’s unwavering support and could not thank her enough. Therapy was very personal to me and my interest in psychology improved because of it.
It is rare to find a person who understands you to such a deep level, is not judgemental or apprehensive and I was fortunate enough to have a person like that.”
Shiv’s story is a testament to the transformative power of therapy. His journey from feeling lost and demotivated to finding clarity and strength highlights the importance of seeking help when needed.
Reflecting on his progress, Shiv rates his improvement as 4 out of 5 and envisions further improvement as achieving more mental clarity and peace of mind.
We at YourDOST are proud to be a part of Shiv’s journey and wish him continued growth and success in the future!
Shiv’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Put effort into understanding yourself and you’ll see the improvement very soon.”
2.“Always understand what is and do not strive for what should be as what should be flows out of the acceptance and understanding of what is.”
3.“Wanting to reform the world without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.”
