I would like some help to feel better.

 Hi Mario,

Thank you for your question. This is a very brave step you are taking with reaching out for help. Where to get started on the mental health journey can sometimes feel confusing and hard for many people. You are not alone. Battling several mental health symptoms might feel especially overwhelming, frightening, and perhaps isolating if you feel you're not getting the support you need. However, many people have done the work to overcome these same kinds of experiences.

BetterHelp has different avenues of help that come with your subscription. First, you get connected with a licensed therapist. You can meet on a consistent basis (weekly, biweekly, etc.) with someone trained and experienced in working with the symptoms you mentioned. Group sessions also come with many subscriptions where you can find additional techniques/support for working through things like anxiety and depression. The site also offers features for journaling and interactive worksheets you can share with your therapist. You also have the option to message your therapist in between sessions.

There are also a few process questions I would encourage you to consider on your own as you work through this difficult time.

-Who are you without the anxiety, OCD, and Depression?

-What is going well in your life right now?

-Who is in your support system? How can you get the support you need during this time?

-What lessons can be learned from this time that can aid you for challenges in the future? When you think about six months or a year from now, what do you want your journey to look like? How do you want to describe to others how you were able to navigate this tough time?

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), one main focus is interrupting negative thought patterns and replacing them with alternative ones that can give you a more positive outlook on your situation. Perhaps an alternative way of looking at your situation is “This is a difficult time where I don't feel my best and need help, but many people have experienced this and I can get through it." It might also be helpful to see this time as great opportunity for self-growth and to enhance coping techniques and self-care.

In Narrative Therapy, part of the journey is to help clients start living their preferred story. For example, write out how you see what your life's journey has been up until this point. Think about what you would want your preferred narrative to be versus the one that you are currently living. Then write out that preferred narrative. Ask yourself "What would it look like to live a life where I feel things are improving"? How would things be different in my life if I practiced daily self-care and managed my mental health in a healthy way?

Navigating the ways to get appropriate mental health treatment can be challenging, but worth the journey to get to a healthier and more fulfilling place. I encourage you to be kind and patient with yourself as you work towards managing this difficult time and improving your emotional well-being overall.

A few tips for now.

-Keeping a journal is a healthy outlet for your thoughts. Use it to process some of the questions posed above and the feelings you are experiencing and symptoms related to the anxiety and depression.

-Develop a good self-care routine. This can help with anxiety and stress management and boost positive feelings. The routine can start with making times for journaling, breathing exercises, or just going for a walk. YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

-Do things to boost your self-confidence: Find 2 to 3 things daily that you did well or went well for you and write them down. Seek out positive affirmations. Think about what gives you purpose and fulfillment as mentioned above.

-Use your support system in a healthy way. Seek out the people in your life that support you, make you laugh, help you with calmness.

-Make a list of hobbies and interests and seek out ways to do them or find something new to learn.