Can someone help me
I'm not sure how to start this but here goes nothing. I believe I have both depression and anxiety. My boyfriend and a few of my friends say I need therapy. Im not sure if i believe them but im kinda starting to. I don't want to talk to my parents about this because I feel as though they would be weird about it. I've taken online (probably not reliable) tests but I want a trusted one. There are many things I could ask for advice about but I'm going to start with this. I don't know what to do.
Please say anything.
-Sugar
Yes you should go to see therapist. Talk to them about your concern. If you can afford it, therapist is a good start for you to learn more about yourself
@CanIGetAHug
I think you are making some steps ...reading articles and maybe writing a journal helps you see what you want to work on and be clear on items.
i do not trust online tests........... as they are too generic to come up with answers.
I feel many have times when they have a bunch of things going on and feel overwhelmed many suggest therapy as a catch all.... It is not as easy as that.
Therapy is like going to the gym .. you only get out of it what you put in... if you went to gym with no goal or idea and sat on a bench for an hour.......when you leave would you feel better?
Big obstacle in therapy is finding the right fit and being open a therapist cannot guess what is the underlying concerns or issues. hard to paint a big picture until perhaps a few sessions in and then people question the $$$ spent honestly.
If funds are not available............ perhaps try a listener here or even when by yourself talking aloud like what you might say to others can clear up the picture of things in your head as well.
@CanIGetAHug Hi. There is the concept of bibliotherapy (therapy through books). The book, Feeling Good, by Dr. David Burns was intended for self therapy and it has a great track record. It contains some simple tests to assess your level of depression. I highly recommend it and have used it myself. Note there is a newer version titled, Feeling Great, but I think Burns wrote it for clients AND therapists and because of that I think it may be confusing. I would stick with the original book. If you find it helpful, it may be good to read his book on anxiety, When Panic Attacks, but I would start with the first book mentioned first.