Society in general has a highly stigmatized opinion about Psychological therapy and people who seek it. The truth is that one in every five person on this planet needs therapy at some point in their lives. We, as a species, need to wake up to the fact that our mind is our greatest asset and we need to do everything we can to maintain its robust health, including seeking help when we need it most.
First and foremost, let me bust out a few misconceptions that have plagued the idea of seeking Psychological therapy:
• I don’t need a therapist, I am smart enough to deal with my problems:
Yes, you are the smart person you say you are, but seeking a therapist means that you are even more smarter as that, my friend will only accelerate the process of problem-solving. A therapist will give you valuable feedback which is based on his/her years of experience and a deep understanding of human psychology. This will give better insights about yourself and will enhance the quality of your decisions.
• Do I look crazy? Therapy is for kooks!!
Absolutely Wrong! Therapy is for a person who is self-aware. Someone who realizes that he/she needs a helping hand to improve their mental emotional health. Far from what could be considered a Kook?
• I don’t have parental issues…
Okay this one is largely a media created perception which makes therapy something that has to always address parental conflicts, which isn’t the case as you must know by now. It is not about blaming your parents or dwelling on the past. The only thing that talking about it does is to clarify thoughts and behavior.
• Therapy is for whiners!
Therapy is hard work, complaining will not get you far. It makes you realize the gravity of your past decisions and behavior and allows you to take responsibility for them while going ahead in life with a clean slate. The therapist will help you, but you must be willing to work on yourself first.
• I don’t want to be put on drugs:
You will be put on drugs only if you consult a psychiatrist, which is essentially a medical doctor who has a working knowledge of mental ailments and suggests an allopathic cure to them. A psychologist, however, has studied the human mind and the way it functions in a much deeper way and is able to empathize with you as a human being at the same time observing your behavior and taking notes. So, there's a human connect, no drugs involved!!
As a concluding advice, I’d like to say that ultimately it's in your hands to be pro-active and take stock of the situation and try to better yourself. No therapist can make you want to improve. Like in that movie "Bruce Almighty",
"You can't mess with free will"
So go out and seek some help if you need, but always remember, "Be the miracle!!"
Article by Neel Katarnavare
Cinephile, part-time Writer and a Digital playground critic.
He loves having good conversations and can be reached at https://twitter.com/NeelKatarnavare
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| Image credit: giphy.com |
• I don’t need a therapist, I am smart enough to deal with my problems:
Yes, you are the smart person you say you are, but seeking a therapist means that you are even more smarter as that, my friend will only accelerate the process of problem-solving. A therapist will give you valuable feedback which is based on his/her years of experience and a deep understanding of human psychology. This will give better insights about yourself and will enhance the quality of your decisions.
• Do I look crazy? Therapy is for kooks!!
Absolutely Wrong! Therapy is for a person who is self-aware. Someone who realizes that he/she needs a helping hand to improve their mental emotional health. Far from what could be considered a Kook?
• I don’t have parental issues…
Okay this one is largely a media created perception which makes therapy something that has to always address parental conflicts, which isn’t the case as you must know by now. It is not about blaming your parents or dwelling on the past. The only thing that talking about it does is to clarify thoughts and behavior.
• Therapy is for whiners!
Therapy is hard work, complaining will not get you far. It makes you realize the gravity of your past decisions and behavior and allows you to take responsibility for them while going ahead in life with a clean slate. The therapist will help you, but you must be willing to work on yourself first.
• I don’t want to be put on drugs:
You will be put on drugs only if you consult a psychiatrist, which is essentially a medical doctor who has a working knowledge of mental ailments and suggests an allopathic cure to them. A psychologist, however, has studied the human mind and the way it functions in a much deeper way and is able to empathize with you as a human being at the same time observing your behavior and taking notes. So, there's a human connect, no drugs involved!!
As a concluding advice, I’d like to say that ultimately it's in your hands to be pro-active and take stock of the situation and try to better yourself. No therapist can make you want to improve. Like in that movie "Bruce Almighty",
"You can't mess with free will"
So go out and seek some help if you need, but always remember, "Be the miracle!!"
Article by Neel Katarnavare
Cinephile, part-time Writer and a Digital playground critic.
He loves having good conversations and can be reached at https://twitter.com/NeelKatarnavare