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| Mental Health Awareness: Reducing the Stigma of Getting Help in Therapy |
Treating Physical Symptoms Instead of the Underlying Emotional Problems at the Root of the Problem
Research has shown that one in every five Americans has a mental health problem, but many of these same people suffer in silence and never get help.
As a result their symptoms often get worse or develop into physical symptoms. For instance, a person with untreated anxiety might develop headaches, backaches, digestive problems, insomnia or other physical problems.
Whereas this person might feel ashamed to get help for his anxiety, he feels much more comfortable seeing his primary care doctor about his physical symptoms because there's no stigma about the physical symptoms.
What Are the Consequences of Treating Physical Symptoms Instead of Treating the Underlying Emotional Problems at the Root of the Problem?
With regard to the example above, it's this person's doctor might treat only the anxiety-related physical symptoms without ever treating the underlying anxiety.
The doctor might provide this person with anti-anxiety medication for insomnia, which might help the insomnia, but then the underlying anxiety can manifest in another symptom--like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
At that point, the primary care doctor might refer the patient to a GI doctor, who might send this same patient for a CT scan to rule out any serious internal problems. Finding none, the GI doctor will probably prescribe a different type of medication for the IBS to control the symptoms.
This can go on for quite some time as the anxiety-related symptoms manifest in all different physical symptoms because none of the doctors are dealing with the underlying emotional problem, which is anxiety, that is at the root of the physical problems.
But if someone with similar problems happens to have a primary care doctor who is trained to know that psychological problems are often at the root of medical problems, after the doctor has ruled out more serious physical problems, the doctor will advise the patient to get help in therapy.
Why is There Still a Stigma For Getting Help in Therapy?
Although it's now somewhat more acceptable for people to get help in therapy, many people, who need help, are afraid to seek the assistance that they need for a variety of reasons related to the stigma of going to therapy:
There are many reasons why people avoid going to therapy even though they would benefit from it.
Although it's considered much more acceptable to go to therapy now than it was in the past, there is still a stigma among some people about going to therapy.
Psychoeducation about psychotherapy is important, and you can consult with one or more psychotherapists to get this information and see which therapist is right for you.
Rather than suffering on your own and risking that your problems will get worse, you would benefit from getting help from a licensed mental health professional so you can resolve your problems and lead a more fulfilling life.
About Me
I am a licensed NYC psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP and Somatic Experiencing therapist (see my article: The Therapeutic Benefits of Integrative Psychotherapy).
I work with individual adults and couples (see my article: How to Choose a Psychotherapist).
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), recognized as the leading couples therapy, when I work with couples.
To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.
To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.
Research has shown that one in every five Americans has a mental health problem, but many of these same people suffer in silence and never get help.
As a result their symptoms often get worse or develop into physical symptoms. For instance, a person with untreated anxiety might develop headaches, backaches, digestive problems, insomnia or other physical problems.
Whereas this person might feel ashamed to get help for his anxiety, he feels much more comfortable seeing his primary care doctor about his physical symptoms because there's no stigma about the physical symptoms.
What Are the Consequences of Treating Physical Symptoms Instead of Treating the Underlying Emotional Problems at the Root of the Problem?
With regard to the example above, it's this person's doctor might treat only the anxiety-related physical symptoms without ever treating the underlying anxiety.
The doctor might provide this person with anti-anxiety medication for insomnia, which might help the insomnia, but then the underlying anxiety can manifest in another symptom--like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
At that point, the primary care doctor might refer the patient to a GI doctor, who might send this same patient for a CT scan to rule out any serious internal problems. Finding none, the GI doctor will probably prescribe a different type of medication for the IBS to control the symptoms.
This can go on for quite some time as the anxiety-related symptoms manifest in all different physical symptoms because none of the doctors are dealing with the underlying emotional problem, which is anxiety, that is at the root of the physical problems.
But if someone with similar problems happens to have a primary care doctor who is trained to know that psychological problems are often at the root of medical problems, after the doctor has ruled out more serious physical problems, the doctor will advise the patient to get help in therapy.
Why is There Still a Stigma For Getting Help in Therapy?
Although it's now somewhat more acceptable for people to get help in therapy, many people, who need help, are afraid to seek the assistance that they need for a variety of reasons related to the stigma of going to therapy:
- They judge themselves harshly for needing help and feel ashamed.
- They believe they should just "get over" their problems.
- They believe they would be "self indulgent" or "too self centered" if they went to therapy.
- They believe only rich people attend therapy.
- They think that only "crazy" people seek help in therapy.
- They believe, far from being real, their problems are only in their imagination.
- They feel they don't deserve help.
- They believe that they must be "weak" if they need help (see my article: Common Myths About Psychotherapy: Going to Therapy Means You're "Weak").
- They believe they will have to remain in therapy for a long time to overcome their problems (see my article: Common Myths About Psychotherapy: Therapy Takes a Long Time).
- They're worried about what their family and friends might say if they found out that went for help in therapy.
- They believe the therapist will judge them.
- They don't know about Federal confidentiality laws, so they believe that their therapist might tell their employer or other people about the problems they discuss in therapy.
- They believe that going to see a therapist means they're paying the therapist to be their "friend," which makes them feel ashamed because they believe a therapist couldn't actually care about them.
- Know that you're not alone. There are skilled mental health professionals who can help you.
- Know that a skilled therapist has experience helping other clients with similar problems to yours and she won't judge you for your problems.
- Know that a licensed psychotherapist can't divulge your information under Federal law without your written consent unless you're an active harm to yourself or others (you have a thought, intent and plan to hurt yourself or someone else and you refuse to make an agreement with your therapist not to take action) or you're engaging in child abuse (psychotherapists are mandated reporters and must report child abuse to the state).
- Know that seeking help in therapy doesn't mean you're "weak."
- Know that seeking help in therapy doesn't mean you're "crazy."
- Know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives and everyone is deserving of help.
- Talk to trusted family and friends who would be supportive of your getting help.
- Know that you can see a psychotherapist for an initial consultation to see if you feel comfortable with her and to obtain psychoeducation about how therapy works (see my article: Why It's Important for Psychotherapists to Provide Psychoeducation About How Therapy Works).
- Know that you decide what your therapy goals are, you're in charge of your therapy and you can go for as long as you want to go.
- Most psychotherapists are empathetic towards their clients' suffering. You're not paying them to be your "friend." You're paying them for their expertise and time to help you to help yourself.
There are many reasons why people avoid going to therapy even though they would benefit from it.
Although it's considered much more acceptable to go to therapy now than it was in the past, there is still a stigma among some people about going to therapy.
Psychoeducation about psychotherapy is important, and you can consult with one or more psychotherapists to get this information and see which therapist is right for you.
Rather than suffering on your own and risking that your problems will get worse, you would benefit from getting help from a licensed mental health professional so you can resolve your problems and lead a more fulfilling life.
About Me
I am a licensed NYC psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP and Somatic Experiencing therapist (see my article: The Therapeutic Benefits of Integrative Psychotherapy).
I work with individual adults and couples (see my article: How to Choose a Psychotherapist).
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), recognized as the leading couples therapy, when I work with couples.
To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.
To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.