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| 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 themselves.
However, none of these methods of dealing with mental illness offers the same benefits as interacting with a certified counsellor or therapist. Below are some reasons why therapy is your best bet at getting healed when you are dealing with a mental illness.
1. Therapists are objective third parties
Objectivity can be quite difficult especially when we are thinking about ourselves, or when we are asking those closest to us for advice.
When you are battling with mental illness in isolation, it’s very hard for you to be objective in how you judge your condition, the path that led you there, the severity of your disorder and your progress in the path of healing.
Friends and relatives are not that different. They too will have a hard time talking about difficult 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 you an objective third party who cannot judge you and who 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 have to go through 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 in a knowledgeable way.
3. Therapy reduces isolation and stigma
Battling mental illness can be quite a lonely journey. Few people understand the treatment of mental disorders and it can be hectic finding people around you who are going through a similar journey.
The isolation and stigma experienced by people living with mental illness can make their symptoms worse and aggravate the condition of their mental health.
However, a therapist can walk the journey with you listening to your story and offering professional guidance when you need it.
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 day to day life is often underplayed when compared to physical illnesses and diseases.
However, mental illnesses can reduce your productivity at work, reduce 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 easier and cost-free, they are not guarantees that you will be successful in treating your mental disorder. However, experienced professionals have a very high rate of success in the treatment of mental illnesses and never use trial and error tactics.
5. Therapy offers long-term results
It can be quite stressing 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 people who try to get rid of their psychological issues themselves. Since therapy sessions are geared towards fishing out the root of the problem, they can help you to not only get rid of the disorder but also prevent any future relapses of the problem.
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.
