It is evidence-informed that seeing a therapist does not make us a weak or psychotic person. Yet, we are ashamed to talk freely about it. It is a common notion that therapy is for those with mental illness like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, and a lot more. If truth be told, it helps a person with their mental conditions before it worsens.
If you feel you or your friend is struggling with mental issues and is scared to show a therapist believing the following myths, this article can be of great help.
1. Someone unknown to me cannot help me
The fact that your therapist is a stranger helps you in ways you have no idea about; it is one of the benefits of therapy. Your therapist will not have any personal agenda or motive. However, if you look for help from your friends and family, sometimes it might get difficult to get impartial and fair support.
When you share your thoughts with someone you do not know- they help you get a fresh, unbiased perspective on those situations. Many people also open up to their therapists because they do not have an active role in their social sphere.
2. You will feel better immediately after each session
Therapy is not as easy as baking a cake. One needs time and patience to be able to face or uncover their emotions. Psychotherapy is a lot more than what they show in the movies; the process involves difficult and painful revelations in the initial stages, but it teaches you how to lead through the storm into the calm.
Stirred up emotions are just a part of the process. Things may get worse before you feel it getting better.
3. Therapy is too time-consuming
The way most people make therapy look from the outside; all hectic and a big deal is false. The sessions are of an hour a week, and as of online consultations, you can book as and when you are comfortable or when it is feasible for you.
If you cannot make time for the session, you can easily schedule it some other day after discussing with your therapist. Therapy is quite flexible concerning the timings as well.
4. It will go on forever
False. If you go through the basic statistics under Medicare, you will see that most of the people require therapy for 6 to 10 sessions. They start to feel a lot better and end the sessions. Some might need longer as every human heals at their own pace, but most of them stop it within a couple of months.
5. I must handle my problems
One of the most common things we hear from people when we try to share our issues is that we must learn to manage our problems. Notwithstanding, therapy gives you a never perspective on things. They can change your thought process by giving you a new outlook.
It is not necessary to have all the answers to life all by yourself. Sometimes someone else can have a better solution to your concerns.
6. The ones opting for therapy are weak
It is a common and biased myth. It is a notion that depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder etc., can all be cured with therapy sessions.
Having mental health issues is as normal as having physical health problems. These are things that happen due to biological or genetic factors and experiences of life. Not everyone is in the same chapter of life. Hence, one should not have an opinion on others being weak as they are sad and need help.
7. Only people with big pockets can afford it
Many therapists across the world give students some concession. In Australia, there is a fair deduction in prices under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which you get access to by visiting your GP.
There are plenty of approaches to get psychological treatment nowadays. Many provide online consultations and considering this pandemic, most of them are taking sessions online at affordable prices. There are plenty of phone apps that offer free guides as well.
8. All a therapist does is write points while you lay on a couch
Certified and learned therapists understand the importance of their patient’s well-being. They take notes on the first day to understand your issues, worries, lifestyle and family background. Research says that your mental health has a lot to do with your family relations and surroundings.
A good therapist would not only keep writing notes but also ask if the distance is cosy enough for you and listen to your issues very carefully. Writing is necessary as a therapist deals with many clients. It helps them to remember each person and work on them.
9. A psychotherapist can prescribe you with medication
Psychotherapists are often mistaken for psychiatrists. Psychotherapists help people work through their issues, making them strong enough to face their life boldly and not hamper their health. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who can prescribe medications to those facing severe psychotic issues while working with the therapists during the therapy itself.
People have this common myth that prescribed medication will cure your depression overnight. However, the medicines will only work like a sleeping pill if you don’t sit and work through your issues with a therapist.
10. You will get ready-made solutions to all your life issues
A therapist first understands your thought process and then gives you a different point of view to look at the situations. No one can give you ready-made solutions to all your problems.
A psychotherapist needs to understand the client properly, and only then, suggest ways to improve their life. It depends on you if you wish to wish to apply these ideas in your life. They propose ways which may or may not work for everyone.