Why should I go to therapy?

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Psychotherapy or “talk” therapy can benefit people struggling with emotional difficulties, life challenges, and mental health concerns. Therapy can improve symptoms of many mental health concerns that people are coping with. Medications are definitely helpful to reduce some symptoms but talk therapy can address issues that medication cannot. Even if you discontinue therapy, the tools you may have learned will last with you for years to come and can improve your overall well-being.

Recent statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Health show 1 out of every 5 American adults lives with a mental health condition, while 1 in 20 adults lives with a serious mental health condition. Lastly, 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health condition. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.

About 90% of people who die by suicide in the U.S. lived with a mental health condition. Approximately 40% of people with a mental health condition get help. Untreated mental health conditions have negative effects that can lead to:

1. Inability to work or go to school

2. Difficulty in relationships or taking care of children

3. Increased risk of health issues

4. Hospitalization

5. Suicide

It may feel stigmatizing to tell a loved one they need to go to therapy. It is difficult to see a loved one go through mental health struggles, but each person needs to be able to come to their own realization that therapy would be beneficial to them. Therapy can offer a safe place to talk through life’s challenges such as relationship issues, work stress, parenting difficulties, family struggles, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, and many more. It may feel difficult to make that first step to reach out to a therapist. There is no “one size fits all” in therapy. Here’s a good analogy for finding the right therapist: Sometimes you may have to try on each new shoe to determine the right fit. You may like each shoe, but you have to try it on several times to make sure the fit is appropriate.

The following symptoms can be reduced with the help of a good therapist:

1. Feelings of being overwhelmed

2. Chronic fatigue – can indicate signs of depression

3. Anxious or intrusive thoughts – when worry takes a hold of your life or causes physical symptoms, therapy can help you deal with it

4. Apathy – Loss of interest in your usual life

5. Hopelessness – Loss of motivation or hope or feeling like you have no future can increase risk of suicidal thoughts

6. Social Withdrawal

If you are considering therapy, you may feel there are drawbacks such as cost or having to relive trauma or other painful events from the past. Therapy is not a quick fix. You must be willing to be honest with yourself and your therapist in order to see success and feel better. If you’re willing to put forth the effort, therapy can be very rewarding. It’s a safe, judgement-free space where you can share anything, with a trained professional who can help.

If you are ready to take that next step towards your well-being, we are here to help and have excellent licensed clinicians and Residents in Counseling who are ready to walk with you in your journey towards wellness. Please reach out to us at info@thinkhappylivehealthy.com or complete our intake form online: www.thinkhappylivehealthy.com/contact10.

Reference:

Mental Health by the Numbers: https://www.nami.org/mhstats