Alright, let's get this first thing out of the way... Maintaining our mental health is more important than you may think. Our mental health can affect our productivity at work, our relationships with others, our physical health, and so much more. There's still a lot of confusion and stigma around mental health, but today's blog post isn't going to talk about that.
Instead, I’ll share 2 misconceptions you may have about therapy — specifically, talk therapy with Mental Health licensed professionals.
To add some background and context, I have been going to talk therapy for over a year now. But before that, it took a long time before I decided to go. I've learned a lot about therapy and wanted to write this for people like me who may need some clarification or are on-the-fence on whether they should participate in it.
This post is not meant to make anyone feel guilty for having these misconceptions. I had several misconceptions about therapy before I started it, and I even had some WHILE I attended therapy. Instead, this is more for informational purposes.
A final note, I am NOT a licensed professional or anything like that. I am speaking straight from experience. With that said, if you need any mental health assistance or services, please check the resources.
Misconception #1: Therapy is only for those who have mental illnesses
Mental Health is something everyone needs to prioritize. We're not just talking about chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
We all have mental health, and a lot of factors can affect us enough that we may need therapy.
For example, if you lose your job, a loved one, or are having a difficult time in your life, you may be feeling anxiety, grief, or stress.
These life events can really affect you negatively in ways that you wouldn’t realize.
When I lost my cousin unexpectedly, I didn't realize how little time I took to fully grieve and take care of myself.
I started to lose focus at work, I had a hard time sleeping, I got physical pains like neck pain and back pain, and I started to get angry easily.
Only after several episodes of angry outbursts did I realize I wasn't OK and that I needed professional help. The decision to try therapy was my first step into improving my mental health.
If you or someone you love has noticed a change in your behavior, it may be time to ask yourself if something has been bothering you from a past experience, and if you are ready to seek help to resolve it.
Misconception #2: You only need therapy if your problem is big enough
This misconception is a perfect follow-up because, although I previously mentioned that losing a job or loved one are valid reasons for seeking therapy, most people think their everyday problems aren't as large as those previously mentioned.
To most people, their everyday problems don't seem worthy enough for seeking professional help.
But I'd like to challenge that....
When you're feeling anxiety and burnout, are having a rough patch with a loved one, or are preparing for a life transition, you should feel empowered to discuss these types of scenarios in therapy.
If these feelings are preventing you from doing simple tasks such as focusing at work, feeling energized and motivated, or getting a good night's rest, it's helpful to understand why you're feeling this way and whether there's something you can do to overcome your struggle.
Once you start therapy, you don't have to do it forever. You can utilize therapy as a resource to get over these obstacles in life.
Especially with the COVID lockdown, it can be difficult getting through these days. I am so happy that I continued therapy through the lockdown because I learned that no issue is too small for therapy.
Destigmatizing Therapy
These are only two of many misconceptions about therapy. My goal is to hopefully answer some of your questions and alleviate some of your concerns about trying therapy.
Did these points resonate with you? Do you have any other misconceptions I didn't mention?
Don't forget to check out the resources and definitely do your own research to find the best mental health care for you.