Flashes of lightning and thunder broil in the background as you look out across the ocean from the stern of your small skiff. The weather is brooding and has been seemingly for hours.

Lightning streaks across the sky. The glowing-white roots of an upturned tree that yearn upwards. Beautiful almost. The roaring thunder strikes again, louder and sooner than expected. A fear grips you with the realization that this storm is no longer distant and you are alone in it. Alone in a skyscraper city of ocean waves, a solitary ship on the enormous wet of the ocean that grows wetter as the rain sets in. This is not a storm to be shared, it was meant for you alone. This is your storm.

Waves hitting the open deck, you hear a creaking sound above you. You look down from the painting of the ship atop the sea on the wall of your apartment. You’ve awoken from your daydream alone in your bedroom far from the ocean, yet the storm doesn’t subside, nor does the impending wave of loneliness washing over you. Will there be a flood in your bedroom? “Will I drown?”

Fearful, scared, a strong sense of helplessness overwhelms you. You find yourself curling up into the foetal position on the floor next to your bed. My ship will eventually pass through the storm, you hope?..

A knock at the door of your apartment and a friend enters and embraces you. “I have a plan” your friend advises. It’s now two of you against the storm and your odds seem very much improved.

You listen and take note, and as your friend speaks to you, you share your read of your predicament. You look back at the horizon and the storm is somehow already behind you. Your friend is a life-saver, literally! A guiding compass and a seasoned sailor to help you weather a crisis.

To take some literary liberties as a psychologist, your brain is this metaphorical ship floating upon the sea of events in your life. Sometimes it’s a perfectly solid, seaworthy vessel sailing smoothly along in ship-shape, and sometimes your ship requires maintenance, urgent repairs, or a complete renovation due to some storms it has weathered. Your emotions are your navigator “Jack Sparrow” and will guide your course, but when misinterpreted will steer you into a storm like a drunken buffoon.

The misinterpretation of your emotions may leave you depressed, resulting in a loss of motivation, sense of worthlessness and helplessness. Repression of feelings may pull your ship into a whirlpool where you’re stuck, isolated, and stubbornly trying to free yourself all on your own. Sometimes, your Jack Sparrow needs a friend to sober him up and steer him right. A ship needs a crew after all! Even solo sailors like Jessica Watson phone home by radio.

Humans are social creatures whether extremely introverted or extroverted and everywhere in-between on the introverted/extroverted spectrum; the instinct to connect and belong with others is an inherent survival mechanism. The misconception, that “I have to deal with this alone”, “I am weak if I seek support from others”, means you are potentially not listening to the true message of what your emotions are trying to tell you. Listen, and let go of the misconception that psychologists will put you in a straight-jacket, drug you up, and lock you in a padded room. Psychologists do not require you to recline on a sofa (we also provide chairs, stools, benches… come to think of it, we do seem to ask you to sit usually). We don’t hold up ink blobs and attribute everything you say to your desire to have sex with your mother. We won’t hypnotise you into thinking you’re a chicken. Contrary to the movies, we are simply individuals who are highly trained in talk therapy and provide a confidential space for you to explore your thoughts. A thought oasis that you can anchor your boat at for a little while. A beautiful oasis, complete with palm trees, a tropical drink with one of those novelty umbrellas poking out of it, and a deck chair (psychologists really do seem to encourage sitting now that I think about it) on a picturesque island. Your psychologist aims to be that perfect friend who’s not there to judge, only correct your emotional compass if it’s somewhat askew so that you can get back to sailing smoothly once more.

If you’re not sure you’re ready to see a psychologist just yet, try speaking with a trusted friend, family member, or GP. Or at the very least, try to re-engage in activities that may provide some relief from your emotional distress; book in a massage, read your favourite book, try some yoga, a hike, video game, take a cat nap, and most certainly catch up with a good friend. Simply scheduling in daily pleasurable activities could be just the push you need to get your navigation back on course once more.

A psychologist is a highly trained health professional and can assist with mental health conditions and general well-being and self-improvement. Make an Appointment Today