Why you need to talk to a therapist when battling with mental illness

battling with mental illness

Seeking therapy comes with a feeling of stigmatization and discrimination. This makes people living with mental illness less likely to seek professional help. They prefer to wait for the symptoms of their psychological disorder to dissipate, seek help from close friends through advice, or go online and look for ways to improve their mental health.

However, none of these methods of dealing with mental illness offers the same benefits as interacting with a certified counselor or therapist. Below are some reasons why therapy is your best bet at getting healed when dealing with a mental illness.

1. Therapists are objective third parties

Objectivity can be tricky especially when thinking about ourselves or asking those closest to us for advice.

When you are battling with mental illness in isolation, it’s tough for you to be objective in judging your condition, the path that led you there, the severity of your disorder, and your progress in healing.

Friends and relatives are similar. They, too, will have difficulty talking about complex issues in your life. Pity and sympathy may stand in the way when they need to tell you harsh truths about your condition.

Seeking therapy offers an objective third party who cannot judge you and won’t be afraid to tell you hard truths when they are what you need to hear.

2. Therapists are more knowledgeable and skilled

Self-help bloggers and advice from friends will not take you far when you are trying to understand your mental illness so that you can alleviate it.

It goes without saying that the years of training that all therapists and counselors must undergo before being certified cannot be compared to a quick Google search or reading a few psychology books. Although friends and family may be well-intentioned in their attempts to help us, trained therapists are the only people capable of helping us make informed decisions on how best to get rid of our mental illness.

Instead of risking misinformation, why not search for a therapist near you and let them help you get rid of your mental disorder knowledgeably.

3. Therapy reduces isolation and stigma

Battling mental illness can be a pretty lonely journey. Few people understand the treatment of mental disorders,, and finding people around you who are going through a similar journey can be hectic.

The isolation and stigma experienced by people living with mental illness can worsen their symptoms and aggravate their mental health condition.

However, a therapist can walk the journey by, listening to your story and offering professional guidance when needed.

4. Therapy is the most effective way to get rid of mental illnesses

The effect that psychological disorders such as stress, depression, and anxiety can have on our daily life is often underplayed compared to physical illnesses and diseases.

However, mental illnesses can reduce your productivity at work, diminish the quality of your life, and, in extreme cases, leave long-term effects on your health.

While do-it-yourself tactics and seeking advice from the people around us may be more accessible and cost-free, they are not guarantees that you will successfully treat your mental disorder. However, experienced professionals have a very high success rate in treating mental illnesses and never use trial-and-error tactics.

5. Therapy offers long-term results

It can be quite stressful to get rid of a mental disorder such as depression, only for it to make a comeback after a few months.

However, that is the sad reality for many who try to get rid of their psychological issues. Since therapy sessions are geared towards fishing out the root of the problem, they can help you not only get rid of the disorder but also prevent any future relapses of the pain.

If you try to take the journey yourself and fail, you may end up causing more damage to your mental wellbeing. Seeking the help of a trained therapist can help you get lasting results and help you live a happier and more balanced life.