I was encouraged to talk to someone, so I did. I started counseling at school, and later I began seeing a therapist. 

For three to four years, I went to therapy. It helped me more than I expected. For the first time, I could talk about everything I had been carrying for so long. 

At one point, I also tried medication, and it helped stabilize me. 

I was slowly learning how to live with my past instead of being consumed by it.