First Steps Towards Hope - Part 7

Family Support

After several weeks of therapy with Dr. Eva, Lina began to feel that it was time to open up to her family about her struggles. While therapy had provided her with some tools and techniques to manage her feelings, the support of her loved ones was also considered crucial in her recovery process. However, Lina felt deep apprehension about how her family would respond to the news. She was worried they might not fully understand, or worse, they might feel burdened by the emotional weight she carried.

Lina decided to talk to her mother first. Her mother, Mrs. Mariam, was a loving and caring woman but also someone who often tended to offer unsolicited advice and held high expectations for her children. Lina felt that her mother might find it difficult to accept this news, but she also knew that if there was anyone who could support her wholeheartedly, it was her mother.

One afternoon, Lina invited her mother over for tea at her house. As Mrs. Mariam arrived, Lina felt her heart racing. She struggled to stay calm and began the conversation lightly. After some time, Lina gathered the courage and decided to share what she had been experiencing over the past few months.

"Mom, there's something I want to talk about," Lina said, her voice slightly trembling. "I've been feeling very stressed and anxious lately. I've started seeing a psychologist and undergoing therapy."

Mrs. Mariam looked at Lina with a mixed expression, clearly surprised. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "I feel like I don't know anything about what you've been going through."

Lina sighed, trying to explain. "I felt ashamed and afraid that you or Dad would think I was weak. I also didn't want to burden you both."

Mrs. Mariam moved closer, gently holding Lina's hand. "You are not a burden, Lina. We are family. We need to support each other and face problems together. I'm so sorry if I didn't realize how much you were struggling."

Hearing her mother's words made Lina feel relieved. Mrs. Mariam listened intently as Lina described how therapy was going and the techniques she was learning to manage her feelings. Lina also explained how she had found it difficult to share these feelings out of fear of being perceived as unable to handle her own life.

Mrs. Mariam tried to understand and offered the necessary support. "I may not know exactly how you feel, but I can try to understand and help as much as possible. You can talk to me anytime."

The conversation with her mother gave Lina a huge boost. Although the process of fully opening up and feeling comfortable with her family would take time, she felt more supported after talking to her mother. However, Lina also knew that support from her entire family was essential.

Lina decided to talk to her younger brother, Arman, who was known as a cheerful and easygoing person. Lina felt that Arman might have a better understanding from an emotional and psychological perspective due to his empathetic personality. Arman had always been someone she could rely on for emotional support, and Lina hoped he could offer a lighter perspective in this process.

One evening, Lina invited Arman over for dinner at her house. During dinner, Lina tried to bring up the issue in a casual manner. "Arman, there's something I want to tell you. I'm undergoing therapy to help manage my feelings."

Arman paused his meal and looked at Lina seriously. "Oh, I didn't know you were going through this. Why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"

Lina explained how she had been feeling stressed and anxious and how therapy was helping, but she also found it difficult to share because she was afraid of being seen as not strong enough. Arman listened attentively, then offered his full support.

"You know, Sis, there's nothing wrong with seeking help when you need it. I think it's very brave of you to seek therapy and work on improving yourself. If you need someone to talk to or just to listen to, I'm always here."

Arman's words gave Lina an additional boost. She felt more comfortable sharing with her family, and she saw that their support was genuinely sincere. Although this process still felt challenging, the support from her mother and Arman helped Lina feel more confident in continuing therapy and her recovery efforts.

Lina also decided to talk to her father, Mr. Ahmad, who was a quieter and less expressive figure compared to her mother. She knew that her father might not say much, but she felt it was important to involve all family members in this process.

One afternoon, Lina visited her parents at their home. After some casual conversation, Lina said, "Dad, I want to tell you about something I'm going through. I'm seeing a psychologist and undergoing therapy to help manage my feelings."

Mr. Ahmad looked at Lina attentively, though he didn't say much. After a moment, he said, "We always support you, Lina. Keep going, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it."

Although her father's response was brief, Lina felt that she had received the necessary support. Mr. Ahmad showed a supportive and understanding attitude, even if it was in a quieter way.

In the weeks following her decision to open up to her family, Lina noticed a positive change in their relationships. Her family began to show more concern for her well-being and offered more consistent support. They invited Lina to participate in family activities and contacted her more often to check on how she was doing.

The support from her family also began to have a positive impact on Lina's confidence. She felt more capable of facing challenges and more open to talking about her feelings. Lina also felt more comfortable involving her family in the therapy process, such as by sharing some of the techniques she learned or involving them in activities that aided her recovery.

However, Lina also realized that, while family support was crucial, the recovery process was a personal journey that required effort and commitment from herself. She continued working with Dr. Eva to apply new techniques in her daily life and face challenges more effectively.

Lina's family support, though significant, did not eliminate all difficulties or erase the challenges she faced. But with greater support and better understanding from those closest to her, Lina felt that she had a stronger foundation to continue her recovery process and face the future with more optimism.