Sundar Raja is a 27-year-old mechanical engineer in an automobile firm. He is a graduate of Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology with an M.Tech in Turbomachines.
Born and raised in Andhra Pradesh, he comes from a family of five, comprising his parents and two sisters. However, Sundar spent most of his childhood with his grandparents, away from his parents and siblings, for his schooling.
This early separation subtly shaped his emotional landscape, making it harder for him to open up about his feelings.
“I couldn’t talk to anyone openly for a long time, I just kept bottling everything up since my childhood.”
He then moved further away to pursue his higher studies in college. He has consistently demonstrated a focus and passion for his work. He also enjoys watching documentaries and researching during his free time, in addition to taking short bike rides.
However, behind his composed exterior, he was carrying years of unspoken emotions. This led to him experiencing unexplained physical symptoms. At this point, he didn’t know that the root of his problems might not be physical at all.
It wasn’t until college that Sundar came across the YourDOST platform through an official email invite. Sundar explains that he then thought about the idea of seeking therapy. The platform’s anonymity and ease of access gave him a safe space to explore his struggles.
Even then, it took a few sessions before he fully opened up in therapy. He adds that he didn’t know what to expect at first, but his counselor was patient and really listened. That made all the difference for Sundar. He liked how the counselor went back to the basics of the issues he began speaking about.
He shared with the counselor about his hesitation and what pushed Sundar to seek help more seriously. He had some physical symptoms that kept showing up, something that medical doctors couldn’t explain.
“They ran tests, but everything came back normal. That’s when I was told it could be psychological.”
It made Sundar realise it wasn’t just his body reacting randomly, it was his mind sending signals that he needed to pay attention to. With therapy, Sundar began understanding how unresolved emotions and internal stress could manifest physically.
“My counselor helped me connect the dots between what I was feeling and what I was experiencing. This slowly led us to the root causes.”
As therapy progressed, Sundar began to see change. He found the strength to build healthier habits. He started going to the gym and adopting a more consistent, healthier lifestyle. Most importantly, he developed the ability to pause and reflect before reacting, a skill he now deeply values.
“Earlier, I used to be impulsive and used to easily get acquainted with unhealthy coping mechanism. After the sessions, I began to think before I act.”
The transformation was not about quick fixes but about awareness and consistency. He expresses deep gratitude for his counselor. He feels thankful that she never judged him, but instead listened, gave him space, and shared her thoughts with care. That safe environment helped Sundar move forward.
He still rates himself a 3 out of 5 on the well-being scale and acknowledges the progress he has made. His emotional awareness has grown, and so has his capacity for patience and reflection.
Sundar’s journey is a reminder that healing is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s quiet, gradual, and deeply personal. And most often, it begins the moment you stop bottling it all in.
Sundar Raja’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Instead of bottling up your emotions, always speak out.”
2.“Talk to a professional when you feel stuck.”
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