Terrapin therapy: Talking works

College years can be rough. From brutal exams to endless papers and social drama to heartbreak, we've all been through a lot. Fortunately, thanks to sites like TerpSecret — a blog created by a university undergraduate where students can open up about their issues — we don't have to go through it alone. I hadn't heard about TerpSecret before it was featured last week in this newspaper, but soon after learning about the site, I checked it out for myself and was moved by what I read.

The blog is full of "secrets," from regrets to wishes to quirks, likely covering every Terrapin demographic from engineering majors to theater kids to Greek Life members and beyond. Some secrets are sad and others are silly, but all are real and meaningful to the writer. I could relate to many of the issues and almost cried as I read some of the posts. But I felt good knowing these students have taken a big step by facing the truth and seeking out this resource.

As a psychology major, I know the damaging effect an unpleasant mental state can have on one's health. And as someone who suffers from mild anxiety, I know how important it is to talk things out. Although prescription medications are becoming more and more common in treating mental health problems, talk therapy can be just as effective as drug therapy for certain conditions such as depression and anxiety. TerpSecret is essentially a talk therapy group: It provides an outlet for students to anonymously discuss their deepest concerns and fears, bringing issues out from that hidden little box in the back of the mind where so many of us try to bury our problems. By frankly addressing what it is that bothers us, we can learn more about ourselves and potentially come up with new solutions. But it's not just the "getting it off your chest" part that helps — by reading what other students are going through, we realize we are not alone in our struggles and, in fact, are often better off than we believe.

This realization that other normal people have similar problems and worries has helped me get through some of my own tough times. I usually work well under pressure, but sometimes stress gets the best of me, and I've had my share of freak-outs and risky decisions as a result. Then the panic attacks came when I got to college; though relatively infrequent, the fact that they can come out of nowhere and transform this confident, optimistic young woman into a scared, trembling girl is scary. Thankfully, I was strong enough to face, rather than ignore, my troubles, and talking with my friends helped me realize my situation isn't that uncommon. Once I understood everyone has something that makes him or her stressed or sad or embarrassed, I began to feel better about my situation in general.

My anxiety, or your depression, or your roommate's OCD, or your best friend's deepest secret, doesn't make us any less "normal." We shouldn't be ashamed either; otherwise we may never get to the root of the problem. I'm glad that, as the stigma associated with mental health issues has faded, more young people are opening up about their concerns through mediums like TerpSecret. They'll have a much better chance to overcome whatever obstacles they may face with the silent-yet-strong support of others than they would alone.

Lauren Mendelsohn is a junior psychology major. She can be reached at mendelsohn@umdbk.com.