Debunking Myths: Why You Shouldn’t Be Ashamed to Say You Go to Therapy
You are not alone, a staggering one in five adults suffer from a mental illness in the U.S. in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Attending therapy is not something to should be ashamed of. Your mental health should be treated like your physical health—addressed with the help of a professional and treated not as something you caused, but something you need to care for.
Myth 1: Therapy is for Crazy People
Unfortunately, there’s still a stigma surrounding getting help for mental illnesses. The end result in many cases is that people who desperately need help do not get it and they continue to suffer. Therapy is for all types of people. People who have severe trauma, depression, or anxiety, or people who just need a support system and someone to talk to. You are not “crazy” if you seek therapy.
Myth 2: You should be able to handle it on your own
We learn to grow both independently and in the context of others. We need doctors to treat physical illnesses, and we need teachers to help us learn, so how is therapy any different?
Myth 3: You’re looking for attention
By seeking therapy, you are owning the fact that you may have multiple stressors in your life and are acknowledging that you need help. People see therapists for a variety of different reasons that they feel they need extra support dealing with. “Looking for attention” is not a typical reason people seek therapy. Factitious disorder may be the only disorder that a person would seek therapy for attention. Factitious disorder is when a person fakes symptoms of an illness for attention. However, these individuals will normally seek medical attention rather than therapeutic.
Myth 4: Being Emotional is Weak
Only about a third of people suffering from depression seek help from a mental health professional, and the MHA explains it’s because they “believe depression isn’t serious, that they can treat it themselves or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness.” Seeing a therapist shows strength, and self-care.
Myth 5: You Can Just Take a Pill
Both medication and psychotherapy are helpful for treating certain disorders. However, there are studies that show therapy lasts longer and can help prevent relapse. Medications can also be dangerous, and can cause side effects such as suicidal thoughts, vomiting, nausea, dry mouth, depression, headaches, rash, seizures, chest pain, and violent behavior…just to name a few.
Remember your mental health should be treated like your physical health so don’t be ashamed if people are aware you are seeking help, this will show them that someone with a mental illness can seem totally fine on the outside, but battle something on the inside. Show them why you shouldn’t be ashamed to say you go to therapy. It’s OK to get help for mental illnesses.
When in Times of Distress, Call Center for Discovery
Center For Discovery is a preferred provider with most major insurance companies. Submitting your insurance information to our team of experienced insurance verification specialists can confirm coverage for the level of comprehensive care you are seeking and even help you discover options you may not have considered. If someone you love is in danger, please call Center For Discovery immediately at 800.760.3934. Our admission specialists are ready to help you get the treatment you deserve.