“Sometimes the journey to achieve our dreams is more challenging than we ever imagined.”- The Big Bang Theory.
Certain situations in life can make us question our self-worth, especially when things don’t go as planned. Just like our favourite characters in The Big Bang Theory, like Sheldon, Leanard, Howard and Raj, who often face personal and professional hurdles, we too must navigate our struggles and find strength in our passions and relationships.
Meet Akshay (name changed), a 20-year-old MSc student at Delhi Technological University. He completed his BSc from Delhi University and then pursued a master’s in physics at Delhi Technological University.
“I am from a research background and my biggest dream is to become a physicist. Currently, I’m preparing for the GRF exam so that I can apply for a PhD program abroad.”
Born and brought up in Alwar, Rajasthan, Akshay had a pretty normal childhood. Being a studious child, his daily routine included going to school, doing well academically, playing games with friends, studying, and then sleeping.
“My family consists of my parents and grandmother and I have always been loved by my family members. I have never seen my grandfather, as he passed away before I was born. However, my family have always been there for me and I never faced much difficulty growing up.”
Akshay enjoys solving puzzles, playing chess, and listening to music. These hobbies give him a break from his studies and keep his mind active and engaged.
He first heard about YourDOST from his college, which partners with the organization as its official mental health provider. He began taking counselling sessions in 2023 and met his counsellor, Mehek Gill, who made a significant impression on him.
“She listens to me like a friend and gives solutions to all of my problems. Initially, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how she responded to whatever I said.”
During the lockdown, Akshay’s academic performance went down a notch due to a lazy attitude. He struggled with competitive exams but didn’t want to waste a year, so he was admitted to a college in Agartala. However, his experience there was not good.
“When I went to Agartala, I started having relationship issues and behaving very differently. I was full of aggression and didn’t understand the reason why. After eight or nine months, I came back home, thinking I’d be fine, but I wasn’t.”
The years from 2022 to 2023 were tough for Akshay as his relationship problems continued, and he felt exhausted and claustrophobic. His self-doubt grew stronger, especially after a batchmate at NIT Agartala committed suicide. Therapy sessions with Mehek helped him manage these feelings.
“I was having panic attacks and felt claustrophobic, so Mehek taught me some meditation techniques and small activities to help. One technique was a meditation type that involved tapping my shoulders, and another was box breathing for my anger. Grief journaling was another technique which helped me manage my emotions.”
Over time, Akshay started noticing positive changes. The improvements were gradual, and he found calm during stressful moments. He started seeing a change in how he approached problems and the self-doubt began fading away.
Today, Akshay is deeply grateful to Mehek and the YourDOST team for their support.
“Thank you for pulling me out of the deep pit and giving me a push out of it. I don’t have the words to express my gratitude, but Mehek’s support and advice were my strength.”
Akshay rates his progress as 3 out of 5 and for him, improvement means not feeling distressed over issues that once worried him.
We at YourDOST are confident that Akshay is on the path to hitting the golden 5 mark and wish him all the best in his future endeavours!
Akshay’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Developing a sense of self-awareness will help you understand yourself better.”
2.“Seek professional help when needed, without fearing judgment.”
