Why Is Therapy Important?
One in five Americans suffers from a mental illness and one in 25 Americans suffers from a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or recurrent major depression. Despite the numbers, less than 60 percent of people with a mental illness don’t receive treatment for their condition, and nearly half of children ages 8 through 13 don’t either, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Excerpt from https://www.lehighcenter.com/the-importance-of-seeking-mental-health-treatment/
These are only numbers from America but very similar situations occur worldwide.
Why do we have high numbers of untreated mental illnesses in this world?
There are certainly a number of different reasons but some do stand out. Below some of the most common ones:
Fear of being criticized - so people do not admit to mental illness
Fear of stigma because of lack of information in our societies - so people do not seek treatment
Lack of affordable professional support - so people go without
What kind of experiences have you had in this regard?
Why Seeking Treatment Is Important
While some mental health problems, such as mild depression or anxiety, can be relieved with support, self-help, and proper self care care, symptoms which persist and disrupt one’s daily life in a disturbing way need to be addressed.
Having to cope with a mental illness all alone, when it needs professional treatment can lead to:
Decrease of mental and physical health resulting in a decrease of the quality of life
Feelings of helplessness and consequently loss of hope
Severe Depression
In a study carried out in 2019 Oleguer Plana-Ripoll and his colleagues from Aarhus University in Denmark, analyzed records from close to six million Danes. They found that being affected with one mental disorder increased the risk of developing another.
Do teens really need therapy and what about seniors in our societies? Isn’t therapy only for the working class?
Sadly there are misconceptions in our societies about who should get treatment (therapy is only for the working class, not so much for teens or seniors), what it is about and that it is only for treating disorders and not for growth, just to mention a few.
How do you feel is the best way to treat the challenges you face?
Seniors
One study found that as many as 1 in 10 people older than 60 may suffer a bout of major depression, but as many as 90 percent do not get proper treatment. Those who receive any treatment at all are usually prescribed antidepressant medication by their primary care provider, not by a psychiatrist. Talk therapy is rarely in the conversation. Older adults commonly experience depression and anxiety, yet are under-represented in psychological treatment services.
It's important to recognize and treat mental disorders in older adults. These disorders don't cause only mental suffering, they can also make it harder to manage other health problems. This is especially true if those health problems are chronic.
Having your mental health treated can offer many benefits , it can also improve your productivity, allowing you to focus on daily tasks and give you the motivation to get things done in a timely manner. It helps improve relationships with self and others by learning the required coping tools. At any stage in our lives it is important that we understand our thoughts and feelings. A good state of mind is as essential as being physically fit.
Therapy is for anyone who wants to improve their mental health with the support of a professional.
If you are looking for online therapy at 7cups, there is a paid option. More info here https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
One of the reasons people need to tell their story to someone is revealed in the quote by Maya Angelou "There is no greater agony, than bearing an untold story inside of you"
Teens
Sometimes a teen’s distress might rise to a level where it's important to seek professional help. Mood disorders often start during the teen years. And if left untreated, depression can last into adulthood. It can help to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems, below just some of them:
Problems at school due to bullying
Problems at home
Sexual identity issues
Drug use
Obesity
Excerpts form https://www.verywellmind.com/top-reasons-teens-go-to-therapy-2609138
When you are or were a teen, what have been some of the issues you faced?
You don't have to struggle in silence, you can reach out for help.
Hey @amiablePeace77, such a great post, very thought provoking and inviting! I love the quote you shared!
Thank you for highlighting the need and benefits of therapy/ professional support, Ami! ❤
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Thank you for your kind words Sunisshiningandsoareyou 😊
One in five?
This is a mentally ill nation.
Why?
@usedItUp Some of the books in my unofficial Listeners' Reading List explore the reasons why, but there's no simple answer.
Charlie
@RarelyCharlie
With recognition that there are many causes of what would clinically be classed as "mental illness", how many suffer mentally, directly or indirectly because of financial stress?
How much marital discord, substance abuse, other harmful addictions, and other self-destructive behaviors are the direct consequence of the financial burdens faced by so many in this society?
With recognition also that there are members here from many nations, here in the U.S. we have the greatest concentration of material wealth on earth, far surpassing any nation or society in human history. And yet, now, deep into the 21st century we have millions who are hungry, including many children and elderly.
It is my belief that it is the cognitive dissonance arising from the disparity between the level of obvious wealth within this society and the financial struggle that many face day to day which drives much mental illness.
Again, of course there are many causes of mental illness and emotional dysfunction apart from financial stress, but I believe the societal landscape would be far different if there were not such a struggle to provide one's basic needs against a backdrop of plenty.
@usedItUp
As Charlie said there's no simple answer but I believe if people would take therapy earlier, when needed, the figures might have been better.
@usedItUp welcome to therapy subcom.
Maybe the stress levels?
Great post about the importance of therapy. The statistics are staggering and really goes to show how much help the people of fjr
world Really need!
@Gnibellen
I agree Gnibellen, getting help can change someone's life completely.
Agreed! I am glad I am here to get help. Some never do and it's sad but to everyone trying to heal from something, I love you, you can do anything you set your mind to and you got this!!❤️
@DLynn88911221
Thank you for spreading kindness here in the forum! I hope you will get the support you're looking for here on the site, glad you reached out.
Hello @amiablePeace77, miss you.
Ive been in therapy since I was 10 years old. I did like it then but, as I started growing up I started working it. I got really missed up mentally when I was 13 and so the tumor started. Therapy baby, bigtime. It helps me like crazy or else I could've tried to hurt someone, again. It's a vent for us. We can't talk to family or friends like we want to. I don't have friends anymore. I'm a loner. I do have family. Can't handle friendship anymore. But,therapy I'll keep.
I don't have a tumor I was trying to say turmoil. Sorry about that.
@alleywood13 although turmoil is not easy to deal with, glad you do not have a physical ailment!
@alleywood13
Hi there, having to deal with mental challenges at such an early age is rough. Good that you could get therapy and also that you want to keep it to have guided support. I hope you feel supported here too 💙
Yes I do feel so supported here. Thank you all. Say prayers for me. I well have a job for the day, at the Superbowl. I'm nerves but, it's money for my sons b-day. He turns 8 on Valentines Day.
@alleywood13
I wish you all the best for next week's Sunday and hope you will also have fun.
Yay I made it through the superbowl. I well be able to get my son some late gifts for his 8th bday ( that passed).
@alleywood13
It must have been exciting, saw some video clips about the performances! Belated Happy Birthday wishes to your son.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an
extraordinary destiny. – C.S. Lewis
@MinisterMichelle yes I agree.
The people that I learn the most from are often those that try to disrupt my life. It is funny how that works. They teach me patience and compassion. Life is funny how it works out.
Today's thought. "Deal with the faults of others as gently as with our own."
@MinisterMichelle yes overlooking others faults or at least seeing they are suffering from their faults as much as we are can change our perspective.
Everyone says i have a form of depression and k have anxiety.
though im not sure? I mean for me i know i have anxiety because i have been diagnosed with anxiety tics and what not but ive never hone to a real therapist and everyone tells me i should.
im just not sure how to approach it
@Snickers14 I hear you. Things that disrupt our life can be very difficult to handle alone. Having a person with another perspective can really be a big help to us.
There are more questions by members here if you want to hear how 7cups Online Therapists answer them in an AMA. If you are interested in trying a paid option at 7cup Online Therapy, you can find more info here https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1 or click on any of the therapists' links to their profile page.
@amiablePeace77
This is good information, Mental Illness carries such a huge stigma that a lot of people just refuse to be put in a classification that labels them as mentally ill. Even in the professional fields of Mental health, there are some that should not be practiced because they make people worse.
Now with all the issues of the Pandemic and the schools being shut down and the jobs Mental health issues are skyrocketing. Most Mental Health facilities here are so overbooked they turn people away with no place to go. Many can not afford therapy.
This is a great topic that really needs much more exposure to the world. Solutions need to be implemented for this outbreak of issues that are on the rise.
More sites like 7cups of tea that are free to all. Thanks, 7cups for all the support and a place to come and share.
@scarletPear1945
scarletPear, you made some really good points. I believe there is greater need for mental support for everyone, particularly when the world is going through a crisis like now and that there is no room for stigma, it only makes things worse. Something I also believe is that getting therapy is not exclusively for people with mental illness but for anyone wanting to improve their mental being and not having the right support, so it's part of self development.
@amiablePeace77
This is a great post and needs more publicity and more ways to inform the public of the need for better and more affordable services to all people in all countries.❤️
@scarletPear1945
Scarlet, if everyone would get the support they need everything in the world would change, from illnesses, crime, politics, economy and even wars in my opinion. It would make a huge economical impact in a positive way.
@amiablePeace77
Ami:
Does the site have any tips on finding the right therapist? I’ve asked people I know, but nobody has any recommendations. My primary physician only suggests checking with my insurance company. The insurance company only provides a list of names.
@UberRuminator
Sorry you're having challenges in finding the right therapist for you. Going just be name can lead to the wrong person. Finding the right clinician for you is so crucial to your wellbeing. I find it's important to get information about the therapist's profile. To get same profile examples you can check here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/7CupsOnlineTherapy_157/TheTherapistsOffice_2360/
@amiablePeace77
Thank you Ami
When I was a teen I always was so worried about my teeth showing and I always hid my story/issues inside. It still affects me to this day but I out grew some of the worry.
@DLynn88911221
Teenlife is often full of challenges. I'm glad you out grew some of the worry. It must have been hard to keep everything inside as a teen. Do you feel comfortable now to show your teeth?
