A letter to my therapist

Dear S,


You've helped me in so many ways I cannot begin to tell you. I've seen a lot of counsellors and therapists over the years and each one has brought something different to the table to help me along on my journey. Sometimes it worked and they helped me to overcome some anxieties, but other times it had no benefit to me at all.

I first met you when I was in the midst of a huge change, when I'd only recently begun to be able to catch public transport again and was slowly rebuilding my life. I was fragile and severely sick but for the first time I had someone outside of my family who understood me, who clicked with me and gave me explanations as to why I felt and was acting in such ways.

It's been four years since then...and it's gone so fast. There were a lot of moments in the those past years where I didn't think I'd even make it to today. I remember our first session, where you asked me to explain my life and I soon realised I had a lot of trauma and underlying issues that hadn't even been touched upon by previous counsellors. You started from the very beginning and delved deep to rebuild my foundations.

Looking back to the beginning, we were talking about my first year of university exams and how scared I was, as well as taking driving lessons, the fear of going back home, how I couldn't get taxis and found relationships really hard and now I'm sharing my stories with you from my new career. Who would believe it?!

You've been there during some of the most difficult times in my life, someone to turn to when no one else would understand, giving me explanations to set me free from the traps in my mind and allowing to have the "oh wow, I finally understand, I get it" moments! You help give me sense of clarity, understand my worth and given me the power that allows me to overcome and progress in the most challenging times.

You have had such a positive impact on my life, a hand to hold when I needed it and a huge support and encouragement - so thank you. 

If I had anything else to add to this letter, it's to reach out to others to given the encouragement to get counselling and therapy as it can give you the help you need that you wouldn't have otherwise been able to reach on your own. Keep searching until you find the person that fits you.

A review of 2018

I've been writing these for 5 years now...if you want a throwback, you can click here for my look back to 2013. 

I must admit that 2018 has been the hardest year for a good few years now. The last time I had a year as challenging, must've been 2013 when I had just been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Of course every year has had its challenges with it high and low moments, but this one has been particularly difficult.

I began the year working in a dead end job, but with prospect of my dream career in the distance. I moved back home and walked back into a life surrounded with illness. The illness that surrounded me led to me almost losing my mum on an operation table only to be saved by intensive care, but losing my Grandma at the same time. I felt utterly alone and lost because the two people I was closest to, had disappeared  However I was extremely lucky to have amazing support from those closest to me and if you're one of those reading this - it means the world.

It was also a confusing year for trying to understand myself and what I wanted from life - cliche I know. But it made me go on a journey from love to loss and what felt like back again and despite the happiness I did feel, it's one of the hardest things I've had to experience as well as what else I undertook this year. It pulled me to and from the edge of what I knew to be reality and showed me a depth of pain I didn't know existed. I had no idea how powerful the heart and mind could be and how it could transfer so strongly into physical pain.

Later in the year I moved away from home again and this time on my own and by doing so, I've felt what true loneliness is. I went through training for my new job without making any friends and considering I am a hugely social person, this was very hard. All of my family and friends were hours down the road and I found myself coming back to my flat, not knowing anyone and sitting amongst my thoughts - not the best thing to be doing.

But amongst all of this, I did manage to achieve my dream career. When I was 7 years old, I drew a picture and wrote a small paragraph of what I wanted to be when I was big and strong...and now I am that person I drew in that picture, at 23 years old. There are challenges and it can be traumatic, but at the moment I still don't feel like I'm going to work!

This year has felt like I've been pulled through a hedge backwards...which is probably quite generous to say the least. I'll be glad to see the back of it, even though life can change at any moment...There have been moments where I smiled and felt my heart fill up with love and laughter, but I've also felt it break and cried enough tears to fill an ocean, only to wonder how much longer I can take. All of it has showed me strength and just what the body is capable of handling, which is much more than the brain likes to believe.

Here's to 2019 though...

The Sunday Scaries | AD

Many people get that dread in their stomach, that the beginning of the week is coming round again and Monday is raising its weary head. This is sometimes referred to as the Sunday scaries, which I only found out recently...but this is also the name of something that could possibly help relieve some of the scare from the week.

I've written before about the new trend of CBD that has been on the rise recently. Now as you know, I only have limited experience of CBD due to not having consulted my doctor - which I definitely recommend before using any CBD product as you need to be completely sure that it isn't going to affect you or anything you're currently taking, in a negative way. The Sunday Scaries, aptly named, have released a range of different CBD holistic treatments that purport to relieve you from some of the anxiety that you may have on a Sunday, or any other day of the week for that matter. CBD can come in range of different forms, but they particularly specialise in gummies, which are also vegan! Alongside this I just wanted to raise that I'm glad that the company is aware that it is not a replacement for medication, or professional judgement but is supportive of the use of CBD alongside any other treatments or words of advice.

If you weren't sure, CBD is the legal, non-THC part of cannabis which is said to have anxiety relieving effects - the company state that it is legal in all 50 states of America. I am also aware of CBD being legal in the UK, but you may wish to do a check on this product in your country first! Of course, every person will be different and will respond in different ways, which is why I want to reiterate, as the company does, that you need read the label and consult a doctor before consuming any of the products. CBD may not be the cure to your mental wellness but it may be something that you wish to try on your journey to getting better.

As mentioned earlier, gummies is something I haven't seen before, so if you were concerned about sprays and drops then this might be for you!

If you're interested in the company and what they have to offer, then you can go straight to their website by clicking, here.

How to combat driving anxiety

Below is a handy video from the AA driving school that could help you with your driving anxiety!



The AA Driving School releases a new VIDEO and research after a reported 60% of young drivers still rely on superstitions to pass their driving test

A quarter of drivers resorted to extra measures such as lucky pants, superstitions or a long drive to get their nerves in check before their driving test, reveals the AA Driving School*.

60% of young drivers aged 18-to-24 were by far the most likely to turn to extra measures – 7% admitted to wearing lucky pants, 6% said they carried a lucky charm and 9% said they took herbal remedies such as Rescue Remedy before their practical test.

You can watch the New AA Driving School video designed to help learners combat their test nerves and pass with flying colours here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=-pC8vhgeipU

The study also found that a long drive or having a lesson before the test was the most popular way of easing tension, with one in five (20%) drivers saying they did this.

In order to help pre-test drivers, the AA has published advice on how to combat driving anxietyyou can read it here:

https://www.theaa.com/driving-school/driving-lessons/advice/driving-test-nerves

Stand out stats:

Only one in ten (13%) drivers said they felt no nerves before their test.
Nearly half of all nervous drivers (44%) said their nerves affected their test in some way.
Women and younger drivers were the most likely to admit nerves affected them on their test day (52% and 77%).
Drivers in Northern Ireland were the most likely to put their faith in superstitions in the run-up to their test, with 2% saying they avoided walking under ladders or crossing the path of black cats before the big day.
Last year over 1,700,000 people took their driving test - just 46.7% passed

Edmund King, the AA President, said: “Passing your driving test and getting on the road is a real milestone for many people.

“While we’d be more likely to advocate an extra lesson or two to combat pre-test nerves, if wearing lucky pants helps someone feel more confident on their test day and they pass as a result, then good for them.”

The top ways that nerves affected drivers are listed below:

Made minor mistakes - but still passed their test
Woke up early
Had a bad night’s sleep beforehand
Made a serious mistake that led to a failed test
Couldn’t eat before the test
Had a sudden ‘blank moment’ about something they knew how to do
Said something silly to the examiner
Couldn’t stop shaking
Vomiting
Got lost on the way to the test centre

And spare a thought for these drivers who spent most of their test feeling less than fresh.

“I remember sweating so much that I had to pull over to wipe my brow and clean my spectacles! And put talcum powder on my hands!”

“Sweated profusely and the instructor had to open the windows to clear them!”

Finally, let’s remember the poor person who almost accidently bribed their examiner…

“I handed my instructor £20 instead of my license, and it looked like a bribe.”

Sources

*Populus received 20,435 responses from AA members to its online poll between 13th and 20th March 2018. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.