I'm new here..

[GirlFromNowhere]

Ive been dealing with anxiety and depression for more than 5 years now. Ive never had professional help because I am afraid to open up to people. I just wanted to be heard and understood. I want a happy life and relationship. But its so hard for me to trust people again. How do i trust someone again?

[WhiskeyLullaby]

I'm new here also and I'm going through something similar. I don't have answers but I wanted you to know you aren't alone.It made me extremely anxious reaching out for help. I didn't feel comfortable talking out loud about what I was going through. I found a text service when I was on the edge of having a crisis the other day. The person on the other side was a great listener. I feel a bit more confident now to open up to professional help and managed to book in an appointment. I hear you and I understand you ❤️

[GirlFromNowhere in reply to WhiskeyLullaby]

That is very good to hear. You are not alone in this fight too. Sometimes it just feels like everything is hopeless. I hope id also have enough courage to open up to professional help. And i hope you will feel better soon. If you ever need a set of ears to listen, Im here ready to listen.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome among friends! You are heard and understood here!

[GirlFromNowhere in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Existing]

Hi to both Girlfromnowhere and WhiskeyLullaby. I will start by admitting I'm very open about my feelings, even though I have trust issues. But, I heard you say you "want to be heard" . Thats very much how I feel after having no one listen to me or care enough to ask for many years. Even tho its easier for me to open up than you, that great need in me to be heard comes from knowing the great relief I feel when someone does listen. I think the safest place you can practice this is with a solid therapist. Give yourself credit EVERY time you can stretch past your fears to share something personal and important to you. It takes practice, but beyond the sharing, notice what, if anything happens after you do this. Over time, think about how you feel after opening up AND whether anything bad happened as a result of what and who you opened up about. Thats a way of having an "evidence based" perspective: do you feel better or worse, and did anything bad happen as a result of what you shared? Thats how you learn what to do, and to learn what is sacred to you, and who and what makes you feel better.Thats truly what therapy is about: testing out new, scary behaviors with a trusted professional who doesn't need to know you in real life. Make your therapist work for your benefit, since that's their entire purpose. They are bound by laws not to share that info - unless it puts you or anyone in 'imminent danger'. Hope this encourages you to find a good therapist and start practicing!😊

[KJnOTT]

I can appreciate how you feel. It takes a lot of courage and strength to open up. Unfortunately sometimes it takes a bit to find a good fit with a counselor - but dont let that deter you. Your life has great value. One step at a time. Here is the contact for a free session with a licensed counselor, they may be able to support you in finding a local resource in your community - 855-382-5433. I encourage you to reach out! Hang in there.