“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans,” John Lennon once sang. This sentiment rings true for many of us, especially when unexpected challenges throw our carefully laid plans off course. We often find ourselves facing the twists and turns of life, trying to make sense of it all while holding on to hope and resilience.
Meet Arjun, a 30-year-old PhD student at IISER Thiruvananthapuram from Telangana.
His childhood was a mix of normalcy and struggle. He was a studious child who excelled academically but faced some challenges in his childhood.
“I was always an independent child, but after some time, I could not manage everything independently.”
Despite these obstacles, Arjun pursued his studies with vigour, eventually finding himself immersed in the world of research. His passion for mathematics and research kept him motivated, even as he navigated the complexities of his condition.
However, his journey took another difficult turn when he encountered emotional turbulence.
Arjun first heard about YourDOST through his institution, which has a partnership with the organisation as its official mental health partner.
He sought the help of a counsellor, Daisy Jagadeshan, to analyse his emotional struggles, particularly those related to his manipulative friend.
Arjun’s friend, who initially seemed good, began manipulating and gaslighting him. He presented himself as caring to other people while undermining Arjun by creating insecurities and planting seeds of doubt.
“He would say things like, ‘Girls prefer taller and stronger boys’. At first, I thought he was just trying to help me improve, but I soon realised he was trying to dominate me.”
The constant manipulation took a toll on Arjun’s mental health, leading him to feel bullied and isolated. He tried to warn the others about his friend’s true intentions, but they did not pay him any heed. Feeling cornered and distressed, Arjun turned to Daisy for guidance.
“My therapist recommended that I stop communicating with my friend. I drew boundaries and focused on myself, which was my first healing step.”
Daisy also suggested that Arjun start journaling his thoughts, particularly the negative ones. By writing down his feelings, Arjun could process his emotions more effectively and shift his focus towards self-improvement.
“I began prioritising my needs and health rather than worrying about others. I started seeking therapy to manage my mental health, noticed significant improvements, and discovered that I am making steady progress.”
The journey wasn’t easy, especially with the added stress affecting his sleep cycle. Arjun struggled to get proper rest, which hindered his muscle recovery and left him tired and in pain. Daisy helped him address these issues by emphasising the importance of a healthy sleep routine and providing techniques to improve his sleep quality.
“My therapist told me to focus on my own well-being first, and whatever my friend said doesn’t mean it is necessarily true. Initially, I had trouble sleeping, but with her guidance, I started getting better rest, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle each day.”
He rates himself as 4.5 out of 5 in terms of feeling better and envisions improvement as having fewer negative thoughts and focusing on his mental and physical health.
We at YourDOST are confident that Arjun is on the path to a brighter future, and we wish him all the best in his future!
Arjun’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Think about yourself first. Prioritise your health concerns. Give priority to yourself rather than worrying about others.”
2.“Realise that you can’t change other people but can change yourself.”
3.“Don’t avoid your emotions. Deal with them in a healthy way.”
Are you someone who has gone through a difficult phase and emerged stronger and better, with some professional help? Share your story with us to encourage thousands of others who might be struggling. Click here to submit your story.
