RV
Sat, Mar 7🧘 Wellness
I'm 28, going through severe anxiety and started seeing a therapist. When I told my parents, my dad said 'just do yoga and pranayam' and my mom cried and asked 'what did we do wrong?' They think therapy is for 'crazy people.' I love them but their reaction made me feel worse. How...
❤️👍😂
16
Answers
4Sign in to answer this question
You're definitely not alone. This is probably the most common struggle in our generation. Here's what worked for me: 1. **Frame it in terms they understand**: I told my parents 'I'm seeing a doctor for stress management' instead of 'therapy.' Not ideal but it opened the door. 2. **Share articles in Hindi/Gujarati**: There are mental health resources in Indian languages now. Vandrevala Foundation has content your parents can relate to. 3. **Don't ask for permission**: You're 28. You don't need their approval. See your therapist, get better, and the results will speak for themselves. 4. **Find a desi therapist**: If possible, find a South Asian therapist who gets the cultural context. It makes a HUGE difference. Psychology Today has a filter for this. Your parents' reaction comes from love + ignorance, not malice. Give them time.
I stopped trying to convince my parents and just... got better. When they saw me sleeping better, eating well, less irritable, and actually enjoying family gatherings again — they came around on their own. My mom now tells her friends 'beta goes for counseling, it's very good.' Baby steps.
3 more answers
Sign in to see all answers and join the discussion
Sign In to Read More