Swarnava Dam is a 20-year-old student pursuing his Bachelor’s in Engineering from Jadavpur University. He originates from Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Swarnava lived with his parents in his hometown until 12th grade before shifting to a different city for his undergraduate studies. He describes being lonely as a single child and living in a neighbourhood with few kids his age.
“My father is the campus supervisor at WB NUJS, and we used to live in the faculty quarters. We didn’t have many people to interact with, so I was the closest to my mother as she was a stay-at-home mother.”
He recollects being a competitive kid in every aspect of his childhood, which changed when he grew up and focused more on self-contentment and happiness. Even though Swarnava is invested in academics in college, he tries to give time to his other interests as well, such as playing guitar, screenwriting, and directing.
Swarnava adds that after school, he joined a university in Kolkata, but after three semesters, he decided to pursue a different stream and joined Jadavpur University. This change in environment and his relationship issues with his close circle overwhelmed him. He started shutting out everyone and did not talk to anybody.
He stopped going out, stayed indoors more and wouldn’t meet anyone during exam preparation or talk. Swarnava explains that his parents got worried, and they took him to a clinical psychologist, and he was diagnosed with mid-term depression.
“When the doctor told me I needed therapy, I was adamant and refused, saying I wouldn’t have time to go anywhere out of the house. Then, my father became aware of his company’s subscription to YourDOST through a campaign at his office. He explained to me how I can take the session anytime I want from wherever I want.”
Swarnava decided to give it a try and booked a session. He recollects being rigid throughout his first session, and he was impressed with how his counselor respected his boundaries and gave him ample time to build rapport and open up. This gave him hope for future sessions, and he started getting comfortable from the next session.
Swarnava elaborates that he spoke to his therapist about his issues with his parents, his relationship with his close circle, and the new college atmosphere. He elucidates having frequent panic attacks and improper sleeping patterns.
“Every day, I would break down with multiple spirals of thoughts and used to feel helpless.”
He explained that the counselor made him write down his thoughts about life, emotions, and things he wanted to tell people but couldn’t and sent them to her to analyse during their sessions. The counselor also introduced Swarnava to the emotional wheel to label his emotions in every problematic situation.
“Therapy became a place to discuss the trauma I faced in my daily routines. At the last session, even my counselor pointed out how robotic my response used to be in the beginning, but as time progressed, I started making jokes, laughing with her and expressing all forms of emotions.”
Swarnava expresses feeling like a normal person again and how good that felt. He thanks his counselor for looking out for him and for being one of his well-wishers.
As he works daily to be the better version of himself than the previous day, he rates himself 3 out of 5 for his overall well-being, and we are happy to be part of his journey.
Swarnava’s Warrior Tips:
1.“It’s high time people understood the requirements for good mental well-being.”
2.“Humans are social creatures; we need one another and seek help when needed.”
3.“Go for a self-improvement plan like therapy rather than keeping everything in your mind. ”
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