It's a funny thing about therapy. I can convince myself that it is pointless, stop going, and be quite alright for a while. But eventually, gradually, the weight of the world becomes more than I can handle. All the bottled up thoughts start breaking me down inside, until I can't see, can't breathe, can't function. It is about this time I realize there is something powerful and necessary in having that outside person to talk to, to tell every thought and admit every feeling to, without fear of rebuttal or judgment. This is my lifeline to maintaining sanity.I need to stop severing ties every few months.
The American Psychoanalytical Association reports that
"even when psychiatric care is free, only 4.3% of the population uses
outpatient psychotherapy, and the average length of treatment is 11 sessions."
Some people are completely against therapy. They are convinced a shrink would do nothing for them, or perhaps would even make their problems worse. Others have had a bad experience (or perhaps several) and that has put them off from further attempts at psychotherapy.
While I am fortunate to have found a facility that caters to low income patients so that it is affordable for me, many do not have that option. Some do not have insurance, and many insurance plans don't cover therapy or other mental health costs.
In a nutshell, there are many reasons why therapy does not work out for people. But there are many benefits to it. A therapist can help you, through a series of questions, insights, and exercises to do the following:
Of course, not everyone likes reliving painful experiences or talking in general. When I first began therapy six years ago I was very apprehensive about the prospect of being made to talk for 45 minutes straight! But it ended up being not so bad, and I felt at peace when I left each week. There were more than a few occasions when I was so distraught over something I just cried the whole time, and other sessions were filled with a lot of silence because depression had my tongue. My therapist had to talk me through a major panic attack during some sessions because I would be so stressed from the waiting room (the joys of social anxiety). Not everyone is blessed with a great first therapist like I was, and I grieved deeply when she moved away. I really don't think I will ever have a therapist I connect with and enjoy talking to as much as I did her. But each new one has brought something new to the table. They have each offered up fresh perspectives, and I have grown stronger and more capable because of my time in therapy. So when I start missing appointments, it shows. I start backtracking and losing my way. Sure, I could walk the road alone; so many do. But it is so much easier having a guide to help me through the rough patches, and to cheer me on the entire way.
We never truly stop growing, but there are definitely circumstances and emotions that halt our progress from time to time. Therapy is a great way to refocus and learn to spread your wings and fly. When you find inner peace and tap into your vitality, the sky is the limit.
-Amy Purdy
Some people are completely against therapy. They are convinced a shrink would do nothing for them, or perhaps would even make their problems worse. Others have had a bad experience (or perhaps several) and that has put them off from further attempts at psychotherapy.
While I am fortunate to have found a facility that caters to low income patients so that it is affordable for me, many do not have that option. Some do not have insurance, and many insurance plans don't cover therapy or other mental health costs.
In a nutshell, there are many reasons why therapy does not work out for people. But there are many benefits to it. A therapist can help you, through a series of questions, insights, and exercises to do the following:
- figure out your worth and purpose
- set personal goals and follow through
- improve relationships
- overcome issues such as anxiety, phobias, depression, anger, etc.
- gain a fresh perspective from an outside source that will not be swayed to "take sides" in your situation
- alleviate stress and bottled up emotions by talking it out with someone who listens and cares
- find healing from traumatic events
Of course, not everyone likes reliving painful experiences or talking in general. When I first began therapy six years ago I was very apprehensive about the prospect of being made to talk for 45 minutes straight! But it ended up being not so bad, and I felt at peace when I left each week. There were more than a few occasions when I was so distraught over something I just cried the whole time, and other sessions were filled with a lot of silence because depression had my tongue. My therapist had to talk me through a major panic attack during some sessions because I would be so stressed from the waiting room (the joys of social anxiety). Not everyone is blessed with a great first therapist like I was, and I grieved deeply when she moved away. I really don't think I will ever have a therapist I connect with and enjoy talking to as much as I did her. But each new one has brought something new to the table. They have each offered up fresh perspectives, and I have grown stronger and more capable because of my time in therapy. So when I start missing appointments, it shows. I start backtracking and losing my way. Sure, I could walk the road alone; so many do. But it is so much easier having a guide to help me through the rough patches, and to cheer me on the entire way.
We never truly stop growing, but there are definitely circumstances and emotions that halt our progress from time to time. Therapy is a great way to refocus and learn to spread your wings and fly. When you find inner peace and tap into your vitality, the sky is the limit.
-Amy Purdy
1 comment:
I suffer from generalized anxiety order and major depression. I allowed it to swallow two precious years of my life, because I didn't want to be "labeled" or medicated. I decided to hell with that and went and got income based help, and I am in such a better place. I hope you are getting there, too. I know being bi-polar is more difficult, and my prayers and blessings pour out to you.
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