It’s important to learn about mental illness and what it may look like, regardless of whether you are affected by it or not. Chances are, you know someone who struggles with depression and/or anxiety. There are a multitude of reasons why people go to therapy. Some people discover that they might have a mental illness and need treatment. Others seek help because they perceive their life to be overwhelming or out of control. Some people are unhappy with how their life is going despite being successful. Many come to therapy to improve their overall lifestyle and mental well-being. While others may wait until their issues are no longer manageable. Every single person I have encountered in therapy has been unique, even if they all say they come in for similar reasons. Thus, the decision to go to therapy is yours alone. No one can force you or enthrall you into seeking help. In fact, if you are not invested in your own work with your therapist, results are harder to come.
While the list below is not exhaustive, you may benefit from seeing a mental health professional if any of these apply to you:
- you’ve tried relaxation, meditation and yoga without progress
- you’ve talked to all your friends and family without resolve
- you’ve read all the articles and self-help books but it hasn’t helped
- you find yourself feeling isolated and unable to control your emotions
- your personal life and your professional life has been affected
- you struggle to communicate your thoughts and feelings
- you’re often reminded of the terrible and/or traumatic events in your past
- you’re engaging in risky behavior
- you think you might be in an unhealthy relationship
- there has been infidelity and/or violence in your relationship
- it’s hard for you to move on from your prior relationship
- you find it hard to control your impulses
Like most people these days, I too, find it difficult to not research symptoms before heading to my doctor. The internet is filled with all kinds of knowledge, but it can also be filled with confusing and sometimes harmful information. With that said, I’d like to warn you against diagnosing a mental illness on your own and seek professional services for these issues. Mental health professionals have been trained over many years to diagnose mental illness and how to treat them. Consider seeing a therapist if you believe that you might be struggling with emotional distress.
If you are interested in learning the myths and facts about mental illness, I present to you this info-graphic below. Share the knowledge and spread the wealth!
http://www.gmeded.com/gme-info-graphics/myths-facts-about-mental-illness
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions expressed on this website are generalized and are not to be used as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional for treatment related to your specific need.
Thien Pham, LMFT 