Appearing for exams, getting into a good college and building a foolproof career are dreams every Indian parent and their children see together. Sometimes, the dreams become so strong that people forget that each of their children is different and may have dreams of their own. With proper support and enlightenment, this idea can be acceptable to everyone.
Ritu (name changed) is a 20-year-old bachelor’s student at Ahmedabad University who navigated her challenges to find her path. She lives in Ahmedabad with her parents and younger sister. Ritu is an avid reader who loves hanging out with friends and thrives on social interactions.
Despite her outgoing nature, her journey has been anything but smooth. Her relationship with her parents was complicated, especially during her 11th and 12th grades when preparing for the JEE competitive exams.
“I couldn’t understand what went wrong, but my relationship with my parents began to deteriorate. I wanted to seek help for the same.”
Ritu heard about YourDOST from her college, which partners with the organisation as their official mental health partner. The journey with YourDOST and her counsellor, Ms Sanjana Guha Roy, was initially rocky as she was sceptical about online therapy.
“My college had just given us the subscription details, so I spontaneously texted Sanjana, the first therapist I saw. I talked about general things, and she was willing to listen and understand, which made me comfortable.”
Slowly, Ritu transitioned from chat to video sessions, finding a confidante in Sanjana, which marked a significant turn in her life.
“I needed someone who could understand my world and my experiences, and she did just that,”
The primary reason she sought therapy was the immense pressure from her JEE preparations. She had fought with her parent’s regarding the entrance examinations and wanted to see someone about it.
After a major fight at home, she started opening up about herself to her therapist.
“When I started preparing for my JEE exams, my relationship with my parents strained greatly. I didn’t want to do it, but I was convinced it was my only right path. The pressure was immense, and my future depended on this exam.”
Ritu’s stress led to panic attacks, and her academic performance began to suffer. She developed obsessive habits, like touching wood to avoid bad luck and compulsively recalling minor actions and conversations. This exhausting cycle continued for eight months before she approached for help.
“I started therapy because the stress was overwhelming, and I didn’t want to involve my parents anymore. YourDOST offered a free, accessible solution.”
In her sessions, Sanjana introduced Ritu to various techniques to manage her stress and anxiety. She advised her to meditate to improve concentration and suggested daily walks where Ritu could clear her mind.
“I also started writing down my thoughts to concentrate better and analyse the reasons behind them, like getting enough sleep or having a good breakfast, which helped me understand my patterns.”
These practices gradually brought positive changes to Ritu’s life. The key lessons from therapy included focusing on the positive and being more grateful. She learned that not everything has to be perfect; there’s a balance between 100% and 0%.
Ritu expresses deep gratitude for her counsellors.
“Both Sanjana Guha Roy and my current therapist have been accommodating. I recently reconnected with Sanjana, who returned to the app, just to thank her for all her support. Their passion and dedication to helping me through my struggles have been immense.”
Ritu rates herself a 3 out of 5 for feeling better. She views improvement as an ongoing journey of working to do better every day.
We at YourDOST are confident that Ritu is well on her way to achieving her goals and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Ritu’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Trust the process and have patience. It takes time and effort, but you will reach milestones. When you look back, it will all be worth it.”
2.“It’s about more than finding solutions but having someone to talk to without any filters.”
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.
