
Going to see a therapist can be a difficult decision to make, and one of the reasons is that there is a common misconception that only people with severe mental health issues can benefit from therapy. Many people wait until they have really hit rock bottom before they finally decide to take the leap. And even then, I sometimes receive inquiry emails only for it to be followed by another message saying that the person is not ready after all.
I also have patients who come to me saying “I do not have depression, so I am not sure if I need this, but I thought I could give it a try.”
First, if you are thinking about it, it is indeed worth a try! Even if you do not have a clear idea yet of what you expect or what you want to get out of therapy, just feeling like something is missing or needed should be enough to make the decision of going to see a therapist.
During the first session you can discuss and elicit your goals and by the end of the first session you will already have a much clearer picture in your mind of what you want, what you need and if the therapist you contacted is a right fit for you.
If deep depression is not the only reason to go see a therapist, then what others are there?
Processing a stressful event: If you are going through a stressful situation at work, or in your private life. Being able to talk about it with someone who is outside of your usual circle can help you. Seeking therapy after a stressful or traumatic event may help prevent a mental illness. A therapist can help you find ways to cope with stress in a constructive way rather than a destructive one.
Dealing with the stress of everyday life: Whether at home or work, stressful situations can emerge that we do not always know how to deal with. And even when the stress level is not bad enough that we decide to do something radical about it, small daily doses of repeated stress can create ailments such as unexplained chronic pains, headaches, fatigue, and others that can eventually lead to more serious mental or physical illnesses. Having a more balanced professional or personal life is something everyone can benefit from, and it is more easily attainable with the help of a therapist.
Managing the stress from an illness: People who undergo heavy medical processes due to chronic or important health issues are at high risk of high-stress levels and deteriorated mental health. Having a therapist accompany you through this journey is a good way to ensure you keep your mind from wandering in dark places and remain strong in the face of treatment. Better moods have also been proven to enhance the recovery process.
Setting goals for yourself and getting rid of limiting beliefs and habits:
Sometimes you know you want change, but you can't figure out what that change should be. Talking to a therapist can help you clarify the things on your mind and make you understand better, what you really want and how to work towards it. Setting real goals can save you years rather than going towards a goal that you only realize too late was not what you really wanted. In the process of discovering your true goals, you will also become conscious of limiting beliefs you have about yourself, and working with a therapist is the best way to reprogram these and help you move forward freely.
Reduce the impact of stress on the body: When not dealt with properly, high-stress levels will also start having physical consequences. The increase in heart rate, and the elevated levels of stress hormones and blood pressure, if prolonged too much can cause a diversity of diseases. Tensions in the body are often observed as well. They often appear in the form of pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. Stomach pains and digestive issues are also often stress-related. Learning how to better release stress is key to solving all the above.
The freedom and new insight you get by talking to someone who doesn’t know you: Even if you have lots of friends or family members you are able to talk to, doing so is not always simple. One of the reasons is that people have expectations of us and who we are, and even unconsciously, we feel that we need to behave in a certain way with certain people. This can make it hard to show them a side of us they may not know and make us fearful of rejection if we do. Friends and family will hopefully have your best interest at heart, but even though, their advice and answers may be less objective than that of a therapist. Also, there are some people in your circle who may not want you to change or evolve, if only for their own comfort. Though they may never admit this to you or themselves.
LEARNING HOW TO ASK FOR HELP
It is not easy, especially for people who are used to always being on top of things or the ones other people go to for advice or help. There is often a sense of shame and not being good enough that needs to stop. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness, it is a sign of good self-understanding, courage, and will to improve!
If you had an open wound, would you wait and let it fester until finally the only choices you had would be either getting to a doctor or dying of blood poisoning? Surely not. Well, it is the same with therapy. Often people come to me (managing all the courage and strength it takes to make an appointment and attend it) and tell me “I know there are much bigger problems but ….” Well, YES! There are bigger problems if you start to compare them with all the misery in the world, but that does not make your small problem less valid and less worthy of treatment. If it matters to you, if solving it would help you, then by all means let’s work together on solving it! And when your life gets better, then you will be able to help others around you as well, people with – maybe – bigger problems. But at least yours will be solved and you won’t have given it a chance to get bigger!
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