Mahitha, a 25-year-old Quality Assurance Auditor at Randstad, hails from a place called the Kohinoor of India, Andhra Pradesh. She leads a life any person would want to, full of dreams in her heart and her mind often lost in the pages of a book. She also tending to her plant babies in the garden and watching her favourite series.
However, behind this composed personality, a storm was in store for her that helped her start a journey of far-reaching self-discovery and healing.
Mahitha’s family, including her parents, brother, and sister-in-law, is an anchor in her life. Among them, her relationship with her brother and sister-in-law is closest, and this relationship is one that she holds most dearly.
Yet, like many of us, Mahitha had her share of problems with respect to her family dynamics. The feeling of drifting apart and the need to mend invisible cracks started to appear. Consciously, she made an attempt to get these relationships working, and almost grudgingly, the warmth started filtering back into her family life.
She came to know about YourDOST from her workplace, which is in collaboration with them as their official mental health partner. She felt that, slowly, the prey of negative thoughts was catching up, and she wanted a way out.
While doing everything in her power, Mahitha was being sucked into a dark tunnel, which she didn’t know how to come out of. Anxiety and panic attacks would keep her tightly clutched, lost and alone. Days went into months, sleepless nights, teary eyes, and even the ordinary chores were too big to do anything.
“I used to feel so low that I could cry at nights, hiding myself in a corner where nobody could see.”
The pain was palpable, a silent struggle she fought alone and hoped would get better but never did. No medication or friendly outings could pull down the weight that pressed upon her heart. That is when Mahitha knew she needed real professional help.
She decided to give YourDOST a try and reached out for professional help. She opened up about her issues to a counsellor she met on the platform, Ms Shabia.
“Initially, I was feeling very nervous, and I didn’t know where to start or what to say.”
Gradually, Ms Shabia’s gentle guidance put her at ease. The sessions became a safe space for Mahitha to explore her emotions, confront her fears, and begin to slowly heal.
“I was dealing with many triggers, which were personal, career-related, and just a mess of things. However, my counsellor helped me untangle that mess, piece by piece.”
Under Ms Shabia’s guidance, Mahitha started learning different techniques for dealing with anxiety and depression. She was advised to do the Jacobson Relaxation Technique, where she learned the tensing and relaxing of certain muscle groups- mindful breathing exercises and journaling were her means of navigating the storm that was inside her.
“Initially, it was difficult to follow the techniques and activities systematically. However, my counsellor’s support and guidance helped me take it one step at a time.”
Soon, Mahitha found herself being more aware of her thoughts and in command of her emotions. The anxiety attacks that once bombarded her became less frequent, and the sadness weighing her down started getting lighter.
“Now, I know how to maintain my anxiety levels now. I have learnt to speak with people without letting my emotions come to the fore.”
Today, Mahitha looks at her journey in retrospect with a sense of gratitude.
“I’m so grateful for my counsellor; she wasn’t just a counsellor, as she stood out as my guide and helped me get through all those unhealed traumas.”
The sessions went much deeper than she could ever have imagined, reached the roots of her pain, and helped her to narrate her story in a new, powerful manner.
Though tough, this journey has made Mahitha emerge stronger, even more self-assured, and ready to face the world afresh. She may rate herself a 3 on a scale of 5 for feeling better, but her progress is nothing short of remarkable.
This story reminds one that no matter how dark it might get, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. As Mahitha proceeds further in her journey, she walks with certainty that she is not alone.
She is a warrior, fighting day-to-day battles with her demons, and she is winning. We at YourDOST are proud to be a part of her eventful journey!
Mahitha’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Time heals everything. We just have to accept that whatever is happening today will fade out the next day.”
2.“All we need is the courage to reach out for help and the determination to keep moving forward.”
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.
