Does therapy actually work? 

My mother needs a liver transplant. We’re constantly in and out of the hospital and doctors offices. I lost my job, and any shred of social life I did have prior to this as I am her sole caretaker. The amount of stress and anxiety I have over this entire situation is insane. I would love to find a therapist and be able to vent and get some emotional support. More than anything just someone to talk to.

I am a recovering alcoholic and I am going to a drug and alcohol addiction treatment 4 times a week just came out of rehab, nobody is perfect. Stay strong Alana! God bless. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

you are truly my comfort person, thank you for being here

Oh Alana, you're so precious. Like seriously I'm like clapping at everything you're saying yelling "say it llouder for the people in the back!"

i'm just grateful for your existence honestly, thank you for being here.

I absolutely love your honesty and videos like these help us so much you have no idea!! i am so grateful i found you and this channel it has been my safe space for years now. this right here is free therapy truly

That’s amazing Alana, it makes me happy to know you’re feeling more inner happiness and calm. I’m someone with constant anxiety and occasional depressive thoughts, always appreciate your openness! 😊

Alana. I have my last assessment for DBT therapy this upcoming week and I was so close to just canceling the appointment because I’m so convinced that my life will never let me catch a break for as long as I live, no matter what I do, because I’m just an unlucky person. When you said “this is your sign” and described exactly how I currently feel and I’d regret not going a year from now, I began to cry. You are glowing and radiating true peace. I’m going to do it for myself

Last summer i finally had my gp put me on a waiting list and this new year i got to start therapy. I have adhd and i expected so many symptoms to vanish once i started even though i know thats impossible. Thank you for talking about stuff like this (progress comes slowly but surely) cause even people that are already in therapy need to hear it apparently. And of course id like to add that im very proud of you and its great to hear you say it to yourself. We’re doing amazing

Thanks for sharing your experience! I can definitely relate to that feeling where you see that you're reacting to things differently than you would have in the past. It's those moments where you realize the progress you've made. For years I dreaded work everyday and spent every week stressed and anxious, and it's so amazing to feel relief from that after therapy and medication. I was really scared to get help and kept doubting whether I needed it, but it's made a huge difference. I've also realized my self-compassion has increased so much through this process. I hope you continue feeling good and that you influence others to get help too!

Thank you for making this video 💕 it seriously means so much to me. This is my sign to stop procrastinating about figuring out what my insurance covers / doesn’t cover. You inspired me to finally do something and go to therapy ♥️

The videos where you talked so openly about mental health was what brought me to your channel. Helped me feel less alone during a significant down period in my life. You've got such a big, genuine heart and voice. So proud of your growth ❤

You remind me so much of myself, I came across your channel recently but your messages and openness gives me this sense of peace that everything will be alright.

Feeling very depressed this past couple of months and this gave me a lot of hope

I'm so emotional watching this as I've watched you for probably 6 or 7 years and we have been through the same struggles and I am also coming out of my anxiety and depression especially the past couple months, it feels so liberating. I'm so happy for you that you've recovered so well, you deserve happiness. Sending you so much love and strength 💗

Couldn’t relate more sis. Proud of you and you guiding others to do the same. Hasn’t been an easy journey for me but I’m so happy to feel somewhat on the other side. Thank you ❤️

So happy for you Alana! Thank you for sharing 💕

i relate to you so much, thank you for being an inspiration to many and for being so vulnerable.

so proud of you!! thank you for this. We love you!!

im so glad i came across this video. currently struggling really bad and im glad you touched on the working subject. i currently have been overworking myself on top of having depression & anxiety, so i finally made the decision to put my mental health first. finally making the decision to get therapy and im not going to work crazy full time hours anymore if i simply cannot handle it. i recently got offered a part time opportunity and im definitely going to take it and fully focus on my mental health. my mental health is 100% more important than a job or money. i needed to hear you touch on that. thank you so much!! you really are helping people.

Have you ever considered the possibility of breast implant illness induced anxiety and depression? Everyone suffering from BII seem to be experiencing some degree of anxiety and mania amongst many other symptoms.

I don't have recurring depression, but I did experience it situationally for about a year. It is INSANE how the brain thinks when you're like that and I understand how it could feel hopeless and like the world is against you. But being able to be on both sides (obviously not to the same degree but still) - it can end. You don't have to feel this way forever. Therapy and coping mechanisms are there for you. If you're in middle or high school and your parents won't send you to therapy, you'll be able to get it for "free" in college. There IS hope like...forreal.

Damn I literally felt myself exhale watching this video. Like, you get it. It’s such a relief. 😭 I am praying for you. I’m in therapy and doing EMDR. Please keep us updated (if you feel comfortable) on your mental health journey ❤️❤️❤️❤️ sending you love

This was so beautiful to watch. So many chills and tears in my eyes. I know what it feels like to struggle for years, to put in YEARS of work on yourself, to one day feel more free. It is the most magical feeling there is and you SO DESERVE to be proud of yourself!!!! Look what you did baby!!!

I’m so proud of you. I wish you the best!💓

You’re the reason why I’m also open about therapy and suggest it to EVERYONE. I can’t believe I used to be embarrassed .. years later I’m 25, alive, a mom of a beautiful baby girl & expecting my second. I can’t wait to start therapy again postpartum. Keep being a light 🤍 sending you my love !

I am so proud of you♥️ It may not feel like you have the biggest issues in the world and I totally agree with being grateful for what you have, but changing your own mindset and moderating your own emotions is one of the most difficult internal journeys a person can take. My husband is a therapist and around 60% of his clients don’t continue after the 3 month mark or have previously given up with other therapist and are now restarting. I hope you continue to reap the benefits of long term specific therapy for the rest of your life girl, you deserve it!

thank you for your vulnerability Alana, you're doing a truly beautiful thing by sharing your experience. Sending you love and happiness 🥰

I can relate so much! I did nlp therapy that really helped me for my depression. And of course solved the rute problem of my depression, that I was avoiding. Love you alana! Thank you for sharing, you are strong and beautiful 💘❤

i love your content 🤍 thank you for being so vulnerable!

I really needed to see this. Thank you for speaking out . Words can't explain how this has gave me a different approach before my first therapy session starts

I’m genuinely proud of you Alana!

always supporting you alana✨

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Alana, I’m so glad you didn’t listen to those people! 💗

OMG alana, i'm so proud of you!! and thank you to open i didn't go to therapy in some time.... you give me and advice i need to check that haha but thank you n.n you give me wings to fly and be more strong and positive!! i'm grateful for know you!!

I'm so happy therapy has helped you this much. I went to therapy for a year and it didn't help me almost at all. My therapist was just so bad, she wasn't mean or anything, just didn't help me with anything. I would talk ab something and she's just be there like "mm" "mhm" "oh!" "Mm" 😐 Gained nothing from that and i don't have the means to get a therapist myself bc it's so pricy but i hope that some day i can bc i do believe every single person could use a therapist when it's the right one

Thank you Alana, for talking about it. It takes alot of courage. We support u. Nd we love u. ❣️

Thank you for talking about this.

YASSS QUEEN! Get 👏🏻 you 👏🏻 some 👏🏻 of 👏🏻 that 👏🏻 mental 👏🏻 health 👏🏻 routine 👏🏻! So happy for you, and inspired watching you work through the tough stuff. Therapy and addressing mental health can be exhausting and overwhelming at times, but you owe it to yourself and the potential of what your life could be to take care of yourself. Yay Alana! Thanks for being a strong female inspiration!

Alana I’m so proud of you and your progress with your mental health , therapy has played a huge part in my mental health. I believe as you do therapy works , peace and blessings Mark

A QUEEN! It’s ur truth and it worked for you. We all have to find our journey to self loveee & actualization

THANK YOU so much for this video!!!

Thank you soo much, I needed to hear this ❤️

Please make more vids like this 🥲 I need them :) thank you so much for sharing your experience ✨ would you please talk about the times that therapy becomes so painful that you didn't wanna go? Or does this ever happen to you before? Especially when you first start it 🙂 cause I'm struggling with this thing after each session it's like I'm having a crisis ☠️

Thank you for posting this. I think a lot people from our generation are interested in therapy but we have a lot people from other generations like our parents who are really against the idea. I agree with what you say about how people dismissing your need to go to therapy are putting your life at risk. I started therapy when I was 21 against my family's will and its the best thing I ever did. I am 30 now and theyre still against it despite all of the progress i've made.

Thank you for opening up and sharing ur story Alana

You got what you want, this video inspired me a lot! you deserve that and more good things. god bless you

I love this I wish I could get therapy too I’ve been through very tough times but I don’t have any good therapists around me where I’m living Im so happy for you Alana you deserve the best I wish you the best of luck and success in your life ily ❤️❤️ Sorry for my English

You speak the truth. I'm so glad we're recovering together Alana!

you have no idea how many people how just helped. I'm booking my therapy as we speak after over a year away. Thank you.

One of your best videos! I don't personally know you but I am proud of you.

Glad to hear therapy is helping! Happy for you. Dbt dialectic behavioral therapy and 12 step programs helped me the most. I’m still battling depression though. Maybe I should go back into dbt.

You have put in some serious work!! Way to commit and take care of yourself and not give up.

I love you, thank you for this.

This inspired me, thank you 🤍✨

I have awful anxiety and I’d love to journal to try and control and organize my thoughts but I’m always too scatter brained. PLEASE PLEASE DO A LOTTLE VIDEO ON HOW/WHAT YOU JOURNAL ABOUT. without invading your privacy of course. I’d love an idea or outline on what I should journal about.

I've gone to theraphy for five years and its the best thing I've ever done. I wish I couldve had a therapist as a little girl. My parents pride is too big for them to ever go to theraphy. We cant fix other people but we sure can save ourselves and get ourselves the help and support we deserve and need. We all deserve to get better. Going to theraphy was one of the scariest things I ever did. But I feel like I'd be dead right now if I hadnt. I'm proud of myself for doing it. And I'm proud of you for doing it. I'm proud of anyone and everyone that wants to do everything they can to break the cycle of generational trauma. Thank you for using your platform to speak about this and helping people. I hate the stigma around mental illnesses. We have nothing to be ashamed of. Thats what I believe.

I’m very happy for you, Alana. Thank you for this hopeful video. Can you tell us where your sweater is from ? It’s so beautiful !

Looking good as always alana.

Hello, Alana. I just want to say that even tough I don't know you I am proud of you. Watched the end of your video smiling. Wishing you happiness :)

Congratulations on your progress and journey! You deserve to be happy. Never forget that therapy isn’t a race, even if you’re in therapy for the rest of your life, what matters is your health.

Really needed this

we love you alanaaaaaa

Beautiful video Alana 💖

I also do DBT (group class & Indiv) ♥️ just like you, I’d freak out about things that now shockingly I can handle!

This is fantastic, & I'm so happy for you! You deserve happiness, & to be at peace w/ yourself. The world is a better place, with you in it. 💗

I don't know what job to do with my major depression. Everything seems so point less and my depression makes me a shit person to be around with. So i don't feel welcome anywhere.

Thanks love💕

I just wanna say, much love ❤

My depression right now is severe grief. My cousin Randy died almost 2 weeks ago and it was so sudden and even now I’m sad as he and I have to have back surgery and I just don’t know if I have the strength anymore Alana. The funeral was today. Someone I know said there is something wrong when I gave up on my favorite switch game.

Alanna, do you ever experience social anxiety or social phobia? Or is it more anxiety about everyday things? I struggle a lot with social phobia.

Gotta watch'em all 🤍

I am going through depression because my second cousin died March 19th this year. I’m having ear problems with my left ear. Alana this video is amazing because I am in grief and I am in constant pain normally I’m happy as heck but I am getting ready for test and I didn’t think this could be serious and Alana I have fallen into a state where I start crying and I want NOTHING to do with video games I have been in a state where I started feeling as though I have to have face surgery in order to have friends. My best friend died in October 2019 and I was unaware. I’m so glad I found this video because I feel isolated. I thought God is mad at me my cousin Randy he would be there for me during surgery and no he can’t be there it has upset me but Alana I can at least watch your videos when I go into the hospital. My left ear has been hurting and I feel light headed and I get vertigo and I suddenly fall over. The doctor thinks this could have something to do with my brain.

Thank you

Do you think you could share how you found the right therapist for you? I'm on #3 now and at 150$ an hour, its so expencive to shop around :( Any tips would be helpful

Sending love and light to you

Alana, could you please make a video on how you manage to work at all with your major depression? I don't see the point of working and I feel like I can't do anything anymore. How do you see the point to go on? Is it your relation? We would like to know, I think it could help others.

Hey. you seem like an awesome person. Anyways you just popped up because I was looking at depression stuff. I’ve have had major depressive disorder for 20 years. I’ve been snoring painkillers for 20 years. I was able to completely mask the depression in the room completely normal life for 20 years. I’m still gonna keep doing it. It’s just what’s happening now is my girlfriend wants to have a kid. I snort my stuff in front of her she knows that. She has no idea why I do it she thinks I do it because I’m addicted which I am. So I’m a mess. She’s never smoked weed she’s like the perfect person and I’ve never seen that before. The point is I can’t be a father because I’m gone. I am so long gone. So I was just looking up stuff on what to say to tell her all this and your channel popped up in I see how your life has changed and it’s like colors and butterflies and flowers. I haven’t posted RU-vid videos for years and I looked at the videos just now and it’s just me lifting weights and a video of me telling everyone look how much better looking I am than all of you, like are you kidding me. If I didn’t have the money I had I would be so and bad bad bad shape anyways I don’t know. You’re a fellow depression person and you just did everything right I had a fight it and do you have a great life that’s all. I love animals. I don’t eat pork I don’t eat beef. I don’t drink milk I drink soy milk. I have a dog. And when I look in the mirror I see a person who it’s just so lost and gone but I see someone I can have a little bit of respect for because of my love for animals and stuff and especially dogs. And I’m just rambling now because I’m gonna put this phone down after this message in the snort more stuff. So that’s it

That's excellent. Congrats on doing what's best for your mental health. I can relate. I have Major depressive disorder to and I can say it does not get better. Not without help and not by itself. It may sound obvious but there's a lack of that happy chemical in your brain for anyone with this mental illness that causes you to be depressed. Notwithstanding depression and all but still. It's a biochemical reaction. You can't be happy. not without balancing out the chemistry in your brain. Some people use their poison of choice but my preference is therapy. Also, friends. You don't get to choose who your friends are. How they feel about you is how they feel about you. The ones that care will annoy the hell out of you. THOSE are your friends. Everyone else, it's going to take time for them to get there. And sometimes you have to take advantage of them until they meet your friendship needs. That's just the way it is. They have to deal with it. because that's friendship. Good for you for putting your mental health first. Keep up the good work.

Alana i want you to know It's my first time watching you, and it was really random .will i just wanted to tell you you're the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen from in and out, you're mentally great, and I love you, you're such a fighter. BIG LOVE from the Middle East 😍💙🇾🇪

Everyone is different and it seems some people would probably be more helped by talking to a therapist than others. My experience has been that reading, journal writing, exercise and meditation work so much better than any therapist ever has. There is a bit of co-dependence in a relationship with a therapist that I find not very therapeutic! The point of therapy is to learn how not to be with a therapist. It's fine to go to a therapist to just vent as a short-term solution but a therapist should help you build a support network to help manage inevitable life problems. Your therapist should not be your sole support. If they are, they aren't doing their job!

Thank you for making this video and being honest, please update up sometime if you can ❤

Permanent depression is real but it fluctuates some days are real bad and others are okay.

I watched this bc I ❤️ you but even reading the title is honestly kinda triggering to me bc of my personal circumstances. I’ve been trying to get into therapy for years now, I’ve been trying to get a diagnosis bc I’m as sure as one can be that I have ADD (and possibly autism too) but the queue time in my country for getting a diagnosis and a therapist is YEARS LONG. I WISH I could go to therapy four times a week. In fact, I’ve begged anyone and everyone to help me, I’ve gone to the emergency psych ward, I’ve seen some psychiatrists since i was ten years old but never consistently and never ever more than once a week. And since the immigration crisis we had almost 10 years ago now all of our country’s resources are still miles behind what they once were. I’ve told the hospital that I can’t go to school, can’t work, and their only response is to say that ”at least I won!t be homeless” since my parents are kind enough to still let me live at home at the age lf 22. I’ve told them I NEED HELP NOW and their only response was ”be glad that in your county the wait time is only 1 year instead of 4, as it is in some other areas”. I just wanted to vent a little, and I in no way mean to take away from your happiness, I just want the people in my situation out there, who want to get help, are SCREAMING for it, but litterally can’t, to know that they’re not alone.

Have u tried meditation in addition to therapy?

I tried therapy once and they told me to breathe. I couldn’t do it. I already KNOW breathing techniques. I try them. It doesn’t help. I’m scared to try again and waste my time

Watch her videos and read her book Switch on your Brain by Caroline Leaf your life will be changed.

Highly recomend the book/audio book Lost connections by Johann Hari about depression. He talks to the main people in the field all over the world about the topic and helped me so much to understand my depression.

Moving is very stressful, so the situation you are in now is distorting or misrepresenting the depression and therapy. I personally also lost my mind when I moved out. Yet, nothing overwhelms me. How to deal with major depression when you are nót going through these difficult times and you have no issues with being overwhelmed and lashing out? I wish i had something to lash out about. I wish i had a boyfriend who would come home to tell me we had issues with a faucet 😥

You're make up is really pretty

So so gorgeous 😍

I adore you I follow you from Egypt❤️❤️

😇

I wish it was possible to go to therapy. No therapists in my network and I live in one of the most populated cities in America. (And have pretty great insurance) “Ok then pay out of pocket for out of network.” Still none that will take me…. So I’m pretty lost at this point.

❤❤❤

💜

I used to think that my life would only be successful if i was making lots of money and able to travel a lot and recently I was like no. That’s no what I WANT. I want a small wood fired cottage. I want to live in the forest making bread and living simply. And just because someone’s dreams are smaller or more simple doesn’t make them any less important

10:30 is the most I’ve ever related to someone ever

If you started a podcast I would be a dedicated listener no matter what you talk about.

I have depression 247