Should I go to therapy? Reasons to get therapy and the stigma of Mental Health.
Should I see a Therapist?
If you’re watching or reading this then chances are there might be some questions you have that may guide you towards either seeing a therapist or deciding right now may not be the right time for you.
Our world has developed a Stigma that seeing a therapist is admitting to mental health problems. We have pressure to feel put together and look put together and going to therapy is admitting we have problems. It is sad to know that sometimes people with mental health are thought to be weak, crazy, lazy, disorganized, dramatic, unloved, dwell on problems, can’t make decisions, volatile and bad with relationships. The stigma is not true.
Therapy is not the only service people avoid or second guess about engaging in. I don’t like doctors at all and tended to want to avoid going to the doctors unless forced by my family or I am at a point that feels severe. I like to think I am currently better at seeking support in a preventive way these days and less about when the water spills over and needs immediate attention.
Seeing a therapist does not mean you are broken or less of a person. People get support for many things in life and therapy is one of them. Any person in the civilized world could be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at many parts of their lives. The difference could be a slight change in intensity or how long the symptoms may last. It may be that certain remedies or ways to work through the symptoms where passed on from others and their environments or that you were left finding ways to deal with them yourself. One thing I do believe in is that people do the best they can with the tools they have been taught or learned.
When you go to therapy it is important to know that many times it is short term work that last a few months or more. Therapy should be tailored to your immediate needs and can be a service you go to at different times in your life. Some people may need services longer then others, but that is no different then any other professional service offered to you from doctors, to specialist, to trainers, to chiropractors, etc...
If you are in crisis and feeling unsafe you should not only reach out to a therapist, but also reach out to the police, go to your nearest emergency room, and/or call the suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
It may take some time to consider before you decide if you’re ready for therapy. You might want to wait and see if time, lifestyle changes, or the support of friends and family improves whatever you’re struggling with.
You may also consider therapy if you experience any of the following emotions or feelings to the extent that they interfere with life, therapy may help you reduce their effects. It’s especially important to consider getting help if you feel controlled by symptoms or if they could cause harm to yourself or others.
· Feeling overwhelmed.
· Feeling Fatigue, a loss of or lack of energy.
· Rage, anger, or resentment.
· Anxious or intrusive thoughts.
· Apathy.
· Hopelessness.
· If your using substances, behaviors, gambling, pornography, or sex to cope.
· Isolating or withdrawing more then usual.
· Difficulty regulating emotions.
· If your performance at work or school declines.
· Changes in sleep or appetite.
· If you have experienced trauma.
Now that we have gone over some of the reasons people may seek support in therapy, lets go over a few ways therapy can help.
Therapy does not just help with ways to cope or deal with stressors and emotions. Therapy allows a private and confidential space to talk about your thoughts, events, stressors, relationships and emotions without being judged. It is a space to support you with both setting and achieving goals. A place to explore and get to know yourself better. To work on ways of having more fulfilling relationships and a more fulfilling life.
Some information is from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/why-should-i-go-to-therapy-8-signs-its-time-to-see-a-therapist-0118197
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