Teenage Depression and Social Anxiety: “I couldn’t go to school or pursue my hobbies”

Anna (Age 17)

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with depression. I found it very difficult to cope with myself. Everything seemed impossible, and the future felt hopeless. Thanks to my brother, I heard about MER biofeedback therapy and decided to give it a try.

My depression was caused by several factors. I was bullied at school, and there were also problems at home. Then came the coronavirus pandemic, and the isolation affected me negatively as well. For years, I had been extremely anxious. I was constantly afraid, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint what I was afraid of.

This paralyzing fear took away many opportunities from me. I couldn’t finish school or pursue my hobbies. At times, I didn’t even communicate with my closest friends, didn’t go to school, and barely left the house. This created additional tension in my family. My mum was at her wit’s end, and everyone else was affected too, especially when I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning.

Photo is illustrative. Photo author: pvproductions, Freepik.

I didn’t really understand what was happening to me or how to talk about it with others. Fortunately, my mum noticed, and together we went to my first biofeedback therapy session.

From the first session, I only remember feeling very nervous beforehand, but afterwards, I felt calm and at ease. This pleasant sense of calm lasted through the evening and into the next day.

Photo is illustrative. Photo author: pvproductions, Freepik

With each subsequent therapy session, the feeling of well-being lasted longer.

With every session, I also learned more about myself and began to understand my emotions better. I started to realise how deeply certain things had affected me.
The most amazing thing for me is the sense of calm. I had grown used to being highly anxious, but now I don’t feel that way at all anymore. Occasionally, small things still trigger it briefly, but not in the same way as before. Now, I attend school far from home and live in a dormitory during the week. This independence has boosted my self-confidence. Stepping out of my comfort zone has pushed me to take action.
People around me notice the changes in me very clearly. They often say that, compared to before, I’m much livelier and happier. I socialise more and go out more often. Last year, I started organising meetups with my group of friends. Before therapy, this would have been completely out of the question. I would have been too scared and avoided organising anything. Now, I take the initiative and host a meetup once a month.

My life has completely changed thanks to MER biofeedback therapy!

I also see other specialists and receive multifaceted support, but I noticed the biggest changes after starting biofeedback therapy. Today, depression is a thing of the past.

I highly recommend MER biofeedback therapy to people who don’t feel well but can’t quite understand what’s going on. Naturally, I also recommend it to those suffering from anxiety or depression. For an anxious person, becoming aware of the root causes of their anxiety might initially heighten the feeling, but knowledge is always better than ignorance. For me, it was easier to deal with my worries once I understood what was behind them.

Therapist
Veronika Allas

Anna’s story and journey have been one of the most joyful experiences for me as a therapist. Anna first came to therapy a couple of years ago, and the Anna of today is like a completely different person.

Back then, Anna was rather shy and withdrawn. She didn’t want to talk to me, and it seemed like she would have preferred to be anywhere else but in therapy. Her demeanour was timid; she avoided eye contact, didn’t participate in conversations, and often used the therapy time to sleep (which is completely allowed and quite common in this type of therapy).

Anna attended therapy in two phases. After her first visit, she came almost every month for a year, and then, after a year-long break, she returned once more. My notes from our last session in the therapy room:

“The change is so significant. She talks, shares, and impresses. She dares to make eye contact and is more at ease. Her self-confidence has multiplied compared to before. She stands tall and proud, is open to discussions, and says she has never felt such happiness before. She looks radiant, smiles, is proud of herself, enjoys living life, and says no when needed. Her social life has expanded, and she’s back in school.”

Stories and transformations like these bring genuine joy, and I always follow her progress with great interest.

My fellow therapists and I have often discussed how we’d love to take a photo of our clients when they first come to therapy and then again after subsequent sessions. We see daily how, as tensions and blockages are released, people’s appearances also change – they become even more beautiful.

Want to know more about MER Biofeedback® therapy?

READ MORE

Book a MER Biofeedback® therapy session here:

BOOK AN SESSION