“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” – Mary Anne Radmacher.
Meet Mayank (name changed), a 19-year-old engineering student at the prestigious IIT Roorkee. Born and brought up in the small town of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Mayank’s journey to one of the top engineering institutes was anything but easy.
Mayank had a pretty normal childhood, but growing up in a small town with protective parents meant he had very few friends. This created a sense of isolation until he found some friends in his schoolmates.
“I had a comparatively small stature, so my parents were very selective about who I associated with. This made my childhood somewhat lonely.”
Mayank’s life took a significant turn as a teenager when he moved to Kota in 9th grade to prepare for the highly competitive JEE entrance examination. The pressure increased as he passed through 11th and 12th grades, which led to severe stress, anxiety, and even panic attacks.
“I remember feeling nauseous and confused, unable to escape the pressure of exams. The panic attacks were the worst.”
In addition to academic stress, Mayank developed a personal struggle. He began using self-pleasure as a coping mechanism for his stress, which soon became an addiction. Despite how much he wanted to, he couldn’t escape this habit, especially with the increased pressure of his studies.
“I wanted to quit my addiction badly, but the exam pressure made it almost impossible. It felt like a vicious cycle I couldn’t break.”
With sheer determination, Mayank secured a seat at IIT Roorkee. But even after achieving this milestone, the stress and his addiction followed him to his college years. In his first year at IIT, he slipped back into old habits. The high-pressure environment of IIT Roorkee was no less intense than his JEE preparation days.
During his orientation at his college, Mayank discovered YourDOST, which partnered with his college to provide mental health support. It wasn’t until the end of his second year that he decided to seek help and began his journey with therapy under the guidance of his counsellor, Ms Aishwarya.
“I needed someone who could help me navigate through my struggles, and Aishwarya ma’am turned out to be that person.”
Ms Aishwarya introduced Mayank to various techniques such as journaling, thought sheets, and progressive muscle relaxation (JPMR). These methods, along with cognitive behavioural therapy, helped Mayank find some clarity and peace of mind. Though he admits that he wasn’t entirely consistent, he made efforts to incorporate these practices into his routine.
“Journaling helped me articulate my thoughts, and the JPMR technique was surprisingly calming. It felt like I was finally taking control.”
Talking to Aishwarya Ma’am brought positive changes in Mayank’s life. While he hadn’t completely overcome his addiction, he was on the path to recovery. The therapy sessions helped him understand and manage his thoughts better, giving him the clarity he desperately needed.
“I began having peace of mind after talking to Aishwarya ma’am. Though I haven’t completely kicked my addiction, I’m hopeful now. I’ve made many mistakes, but I’ve also gained a lot of clarity.”
Mayank is immensely grateful for his therapist’s support and patience. Her guidance and mentorship helped him navigate through his toughest times.
“I used to bombard her with doubts and messages, but she was always patient with me. She helped me through things I could never have done myself. I’m extremely grateful for her support.”
Mayank rates himself a 4 out of 5 in terms of feeling better. For him, improvement means learning something new every day and becoming a better version of himself.
We at YourDOST are confident that Mayank is well on his way to achieving his goals and overcoming his challenges. We wish him all the best in his journey ahead!
Mayank’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Focus on self-care and make a safe space for yourself.”
2.“Don’t be afraid to seek help when you need it.”
3.“Learn something new every day, and don’t give up on your dreams.”
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.
