I might need a therapist

I'm a 21 year old male, and I have some admittedly very mild issues I'm having trouble coping with. I've had issues with depression since I was 16, I sometimes cut or burn myself to feel better, and I also get anxious for no reason sometimes, but especially so at large social gatherings. Sometimes a nervous twitch where my head jerks to the side starts and I know i look very strange but I can't help it, it's very embarrassing. I have a low self-esteem and think about suicide, but not seriously, I haven't seriously thought about it in well over a year

I've never been to see a therapist, my parents tried to make me go when I was a teenager but I always refused. I very rarely talk to anyone about my any of these problems because I feel humiliated whenever I do. I think I should see someone, I need to talk to someone about these things because its eating me up inside, but I can't afford one on my own and I don't know how to ask my parents to help me find one near my college because their insurance would cover it, I'm too embarrassed to bring it up to them. If I ever did see one I wouldn't want anyone to know, so the fact that they'd know frightens me. And I feel like a therapist's time could be better spent helping someone more in need than me, i need to learn to just shut up and cope with it but i'm having trouble with that

Does anyone have any advice on how to ask for help? I know it's a dumb question, but I don't know what to do

Dear DownandOut,

Does your college have a health center? Some do and you wouldn't need to tell your parents about seeing someone at all.

If you know the name of the insurance company, you could call them and ask for an in-network provider and then if you pay the co-pays, you wouldn't need to tell your parents. They would find out when they get the explanation of benefits in the mail, but if you're paying the co-pays, you could say you'd rather not discuss it.

If you need to tell your parents, just tell them the truth, you are feeling depressed and anxious and would like to see a counselor. If your parents tried to get you to go to a therapist before, they will understand and most likely be supportive.

Dee

Thankyou for the advice, those are very good suggestions I think

I know they would be supportive, I'm just too embarrassed and ashamed to come to them about anything. But I never thought of either of those things and they are both very good ideas, I will have to give them some thought

Thankyou

Hi,
There is nothing to be ashamed of, you did nothing wrong.
Healing and feeling better for, you sound quite capable.

Also, while you are a student, you should be covered by your parents health insurance?

I hope you are feeling better!!!!