Mental health was not a conversation topic in my home.
Growing up with a single mom my whole life, I was eager to try dorm life and get a taste of the world outside our apartment. This one week away from home was the trigger for all the underlying mental health struggles and unspoken burdens that had built up. I took a gap year to assess the panic attacks I had experienced during that week away from home. This was all new to me… I was the put together friend and daughter secretly bottling up emotions. These internalized feelings led me to a fight with my mom who invalidated my mental health struggles. After several conversations and tears she said it might be a good idea for me to see a therapist.
My therapy sessions were freedom. I felt like the anxiety, panic, and emotional problems I experienced were finally real.
I wasn’t crazy, I just needed help.
For those who are facing this kind of tension with family and with yourself, look to yourself for answers. Be affirmative and be kind to yourself.
从我记事以来，我的家庭从来没有讨论过有关心理健康的话题。
我成长于一个单亲家庭，由母亲带大。所以我很想尝试宿舍生活，并体验下家以外的世界。于是有一天，我突然离家出走。但这个离家一周的时间却引发了我所有潜在的心理问题，并让我背上了不敢向别人诉说的沉重心理负担。我花了整整一年的时间来评估我那一周离家在外的恐慌。这对我来说是全新的体验……我是一个很有吸引力的朋友，但也是一个习惯于隐藏自己情感的女儿。这些常年积攒在内心的情绪使我与妈妈经常争吵，而她并不理解了我内心的煎熬。
经过多次母女间的交谈，伴随彼此的泪水，妈妈终于对我说，可能看心理治疗师对我可能是个好主意。于是我开始寻求专业的帮助。经过一段时间的心理治疗，我重新获得了心灵的自由。我觉得我经历过的焦虑，恐慌和情绪问题是实实在在的。我并不是疯了，我只是需要一些帮助。
对于那些与家人面临紧张关系的人，请勇敢面对自己，倾听自己内心的真实感受与挣扎，并寻求专业的帮助。始终心怀希望，善待自己，也善待别人。这样才能保持心理的平衡与快乐。
