In a candid and deeply personal revelation, acclaimed Malayalam actress Parvathy Thiruvothu has opened up about her past struggles with severe mental health challenges, including suicidal tendencies. The two-time Kerala State Film Award winner described her journey to find effective therapy as a long and difficult process, marked by encounters with unhelpful professionals before she finally found the right support.
The Dark Phase and the Search for the Right Therapist
Parvathy recounted a period of intense loneliness and despair, admitting she once believed she was "beyond help." She described the months of January and February 2021 as a blur, a time when her suicidal tendencies reached an alarming level. Her memory of that period is so hazy that she only recalls events by looking at photos from her phone's gallery from that time.
The actress emphasized that deciding to start therapy was one of the best choices of her life. However, she warned that the process of finding a compatible therapist is fraught with difficulty. "A bad therapist can rub salt into one's wounds," she stated, sharing that she had to deal with several unsuitable therapists before finding her current one.
Parvathy highlighted specific challenges, including finding a therapist who does not treat her differently because of her public persona. Her initial therapist was based in the United States, leading to sessions held at 1-2 AM Indian time. She also pointed out a particular danger with some local therapists, noting, "Desi therapists who have red flags can make matters worse because they know the exact cultural nooses to put on you and tighten."
Finding Healing: EMDR and Specialized Therapy
The turning point came when therapy finally began to work for her. Parvathy now actively engages in two specialized forms of therapy. The first is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), which she says is "totally changing the game" for her. She works with a trauma-informed therapist who uses EMDR to help change narratives around her personal power and how shame manifests in her body.
Secondly, she also sees a sex therapist. Parvathy describes her current life as full, balancing work, friends, family, and this intensive process of self-discovery and reworking. She reflected on a common piece of wisdom, saying that people had told her that in her late 30s, she would start getting closer to herself, fundamentally altering her perspective on companionship and leading to a more fulfilled life.
Career and Upcoming Projects
Parvathy Thiruvothu, renowned for her powerful performances in films like Bangalore Days, Ennu Ninte Moideen, Charlie, Take Off, Uyare, Virus, and Puzhu, was last seen in the anthology Her. The actress is currently working on two new projects: I, Nobody and Pradhama Dhrishtya Kuttakkar.
By sharing her story, Parvathy continues her reputation for forthrightness, hoping to destigmatize conversations around mental health and encourage others to persevere in seeking the right help, even when the path is challenging.
