Girija Oak opens Up About Childhood trauma and Finding Healing Through Therapy and Marriage
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Meta Description: Girija Oak, daughter of renowned Marathi actor Girish Oak, shares her candid experience with the lasting impact of her parents’ separation and her journey to emotional well-being.
Girija Oak, daughter of veteran Marathi actor Girish Oak and pharmacist padmashree Phatak, has bravely spoken about the profound and lasting effects of her parents’ separation on her childhood and emotional health. In a recent interview, Oak revealed the separation wasn’t a singular, traumatic event, but rather a gradual reality she navigated daily.
Oak described the dissolution of her parents’ marriage as a process she lived with,rather than a sudden shock. “It wasn’t like a bomb dropped one day.It was a slow burn. And I think that’s why I didn’t even realize anything was happening, or if anything was happening to me at all,” she shared.This lack of awareness allowed the stress to accumulate, eventually manifesting in physical symptoms.
The Physical Toll of Unprocessed Trauma
Over time, the underlying stress began to surface as panic attacks.Oak recounted experiencing debilitating symptoms, including palpitations, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, and profuse sweating. What was notably unsettling was the unpredictable nature of these episodes. “It coudl happen when I was travelling to college or studying in my lab… but it was my body responding to stress that had built up for a very long time,” she said.
Initially, Oak believed she was experiencing a medical issue and sought help from a doctor, fearing a heart problem. It was her physician who first suggested therapy, guiding her towards a psychologist for talk therapy and prescribing mild medication for immediate relief.
though, Oak admitted she initially struggled to discuss her therapy journey with others. “I did not speak about it to anybody because I had no idea how it was. It wasn’t even the stigma of being called crazy. I just didn’t understand what to say,” she confessed. This silence stemmed not from shame,but from a lack of understanding about the therapeutic process itself.
The Weight of a “Broken Marriage”
Oak also revealed how her parents’ separation continued to influence her relationships as an adult. “I live with this baggage that I am a product of a failed or broken marriage,” she stated. This internal narrative created a pressure to “do it right” in her own relationships,hindering her ability to advocate for herself. “If I hadn’t taken this load on myself, I would have stood up for myself in some of my previous relationships,” she admitted.
Finding “A Balm” in Partnership with Suhrud Godbole
Despite past heartbreak, Oak found emotional safety and genuine connection with her husband, film producer Suhrud Godbole.”Fortunately for me, I met somebody who is genuinely a very good friend of mine before everything else,” she said. “I can talk to suhrud about anything. There is no such topic that is a no-go.”
Thier relationship, spanning nearly 15 years including 14 years of marriage, is built on a foundation of open communication and mutual understanding. Oak described their dynamic with a touch of humor, noting, “We know each other’s sensitive areas. He knows where my buttons are. He may not press them, but he hovers around them during our fights.”
Before meeting Godbole, Oak experienced a significant heartbreak that left her feeling lost. “I have had one big heartbreak.Everything was bad before Suhrud.” She explained that meeting him fundamentally shifted her perspective.”When I met Suhrud, it felt like a balm. When we go through red flags,we see the green flags better.”
Ultimately, Oak’s journey highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing childhood trauma, seeking professional help when needed, and finding a partner who offers unwavering support and understanding. “Every morning you wake up and you want to choose the same person all over again. It’s very easy to say 14 years.”
