When I first started seeing my last psychologist, I couldn’t stand him. He was the complete opposite of me in personality. Where I was emotional, dramatic, and spoke in metaphors, he was logic, reality, truth, and straightforward. I kept seeing him only because he provided me an out. For one whole hour, I could escape my abuser. I was safe. He taught me so much and I came to not only like him, but to trust him implicitly.

Every therapist and psychologist prior to him provided me with a person to talk to. They were a ‘friend’ that got paid to listen. They wanted me medicated, and their goal was to keep me coming back, indefinitely. When I first went to Dr. C, he told me what his goal was; to never see me again. Thankfully he went on to explain, because that came off as pretty offensive. He wanted to give me all the tools I needed to strive on my own. He wanted to see me succeed in life, and be able to handle any situation. He wanted me to be able to have control over my brain so when I had a panic attack, or anxiety, or flashbacks, I could deal with it, in a healthy and timely manner. He wanted to give me the ability to function, and perhaps even be unmedicated.

Dr. C made it possible for me to go off of my medication successfully. I used to have horrible depression, daily panic attacks, unmanageable PTSD, chronic anxiety, and night terrors. Now, panic attacks are rare, anxiety is still there but I can handle it, night terrors are infrequent and don’t have the same control they once did. The PTSD is manageable. While I still have flashbacks, I have gained the ability to deal with those moments quickly, quietly and more efficiently. He gave me my life back, and I can never thank him enough.

When looking for a therapist, psychologist, or even a psychiatrist, interview them. Tell them your goals, and ask for theirs. You want someone who has your best interest at heart. You want someone who is actually there to help you strive, who will be there long term if you want, but their goal is to never see you again. The goal of these people should always be to give you the tools and tips needed to deal with anything life throws your way. Advocate for yourself. Know that it’s possible to live a fulfilling and content life, even after being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and/or PTSD, and more. Your life is worth living, you’re going to be okay. Finding the right doctor, the right help, can take time, but it’s worth it. You’re worth it.