Ever Thought of Seeing a Mental Health Professional, But Hesitated...?
Has the thought of seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist for your mental health ever crossed your mind? You might have mused but hesitated over the idea. Either because you didn't think that there were real benefits, or wondered what society would label you as. If so, then I wrote this article especially with you in mind. Here's why seeking help for your mental help is worth it.
*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our Privacy Policy page for more information. Thank you!
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Societal Perceptions of Seeking Help for Mental Health
Those who suffer from mental illnesses or ailments are often categorised on a subconscious level as "retarded", "dangerous" or "dramatic". Association with such labels is demoralising for any human being. Many also do not place as as much importance on mental health symptoms as compared to physical ones.
A patient's medical treatment is often modified based on physical responses. We rejoice or weep based on the change in numbers on pieces of paper. Mental health side effects on the under hand, are often swept under the carpet. "In the grand scheme of things", it's always the first sacrifice made. Were these symptoms better understood, people would realise the severity and reality of it. This is why awareness through education is so important.
What I Used to Think About Seeking Help for Mental Health
I used to be one of those people who thought that psychological side effects were not such a big deal. I thought that it was a minor problem compared to everything else I was facing, even the possibility of death. I didn't think I needed any help and that I was tough enough to deal with it. That the fault laid with me and that I was being whiny, dramatic or oversensitive. Especially when my doctor told me, "anti-anxiety tablets are unnecessary, just try to be happy".
What I Think About Seeking for Mental Health Now
I reached a level of desperation when I contracted TB (tuberculosis) a few years ago (my superpowers of contracting bugs were at play). Interactions between medications are bound to happen when you take 20 pills a day. Increase that cocktail to 30 and it steers out of control.
I was in and out of the ER every three days for heart palpitations. My steroid dose was also doubled as the TB drugs reduce its efficacy, but not the side effects that come with it. TB drugs have psychiatric side effects of their own as well (Doherty et al., 2013), so that was a double whammy. This spanned over a year and I had no choice but to finish the course despite the psychological toll.
It was then that I told my doctor, “I definitely need to see a psychologist or psychiatrist. Please refer me to one, whether you think it is necessary or not.”
How Seeing a Psychiatrist Has Helped with My Mental Health
My first visit with the psychiatrist lasted for two hours, due to my complex medical history. I thought it was great that she took the time to discuss about topics such as the effects of medications on mental health, brain chemistry, human behaviour and more (perhaps the next person in line wasn't too happy about this!). She explained that whilst my coping mechanism had served me well over the years, I had run into an unbreachable wall.
She started me on yet more medications. I saw these as reinforcements sent to regain mental territory that the steroid-TB alliance had seized. She quelled my worries about becoming dependent. "Don't worry, these antidepressants are not of an addictive nature. Give an addict a whole bag of these and they would reject your offer".
I was unhappy about the need to add more drugs to my regimen, but noticed a positive difference after a few weeks. These drugs didn't make me happy or high, they made me feel more like myself again.
How Seeing a Psychologist Helped with My Mental Health
I also visited a private psychologist, as I wanted to know what the difference was between the two fields. Perhaps there were some psychological barriers I had imposed on myself whilst trying to recover from Lupus that I wasn't aware of.
To my surprise, the benefits of therapy were helpful right from the very first session. It wasn't just about airing my grievances to a paid listener. My psychologist and I explored root causes, and made active plans to help me move forward. It was a study on a lifetime of cause and effect. She often made me stop in my mental tracks, questioning thoughts I never questioned.
Many of my accumulated fears and mental health issues had actually been a direct result of being chronically ill. But what I found most surprising was the intricate link with my history and personality, too. To deal with my medical problems, meant dealing with myself as a whole person as well.
As Human Beings, We All Have Issues to Deal with
It isn't only the mad, weak or traumatised who need or deserve to seek psychological help. Some of us have better coping mechanisms than others. Some of us have less feel-good brain chemicals by birth. Some of our doctors or loved ones place more emphasis on mental well being. But no matter what our reasons are, we are all human at the end of the day. We all have our own mental health issues to deal with, whether we choose to admit it, or are even aware of them.
The Urgent Need for Education in Schools & Society
We need better education in our schools, highlighting the impact of invisible illnesses – whether they are of a chronic or mental nature. The inability to see something doesn't mean it's non-existent.
We need to highlight the plight of those who suffer in silence due to stigma. Too many of us feel mentally inadequate, or believe that it is a non-issue or lesser issue. Whilst the brain is still an enigma in medicine, the glimpses of insight over the past few decades should have taught us something. Why isn't this knowledge more pronounced in modern society?
We need more people who live with such illnesses to speak up and tell their stories. Who else better to hear and understand from? We need doctors to pay more attention to all aspects of a patient’s well being. Seeking and targeting physical problems because they provide quantifiable feedback is not enough.
Seeking Help for Your Mental Health – Why Not Give it a Go?
I would say that seeking help for my mental health is the best decision I have made to date in my life with chronic illness. I was mind blown by the positive impact it had on my life; it would be a crime not to share it with you 😉 I hope that this article was useful, and if you're still hesitating, trying out one session couldn't possibly hurt too much, can it? 😉
If you wish to remain totally anonymous or are unable to leave the house, there are affordable online, qualified therapists such as TalkSpace and BetterHelp as well. Although having given them a trial run, I must say that visiting a therapist face to face is definitely more constructive. There are certain nuances in communication that become suppressed behind a screen.
I wish you all the best on your own mental health journey. Know that you are not alone, and that whatever you're feeling are valid. There are no “good” or “bad” emotions after all – they are merely feedback, and it is how we subsequently process and respond to them that matter most.
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Jo
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Sheryl Chan
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Barbara Radisavljevic
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Sheryl Chan
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Emma England
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Sheryl Chan
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Jayne
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Sheryl Chan
Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!Wow you’ve certainly been through it. it definitely makes a difference when you find the right therapist. Thanks for linking to my series.
Hi Jo, it definitely makes a huge difference. The biggest difference of all (at least for me)! And you’re welcome, your series is a valuable resource, and I’m sure helpful to many out there!
I think a lot depends upon finding the right mental health professional. They are pretty hard to find in my city. I know someone who’s been seeing a professional for years, but it hasn’t helped her. Her experience is much different than yours. Her therapist doesn’t spend much time listening — just wants to hand out pills.
Hi Barbara,
I was seeing both a psychologist and psychiatrist and that time, and their functions were entirely different. Yes you’re right in that finding a therapist you click with is of vital importance. You are after all, revealing very vulnerable parts of your life to them!
Great article. I’ve also found benefits from counselling sessions since living with a chronic illness. Sometimes it’s nice just to be able to talk to someone without putting on any kind of front – and have a good cry! It also helped me put some sensible strategies in place to help me to cope with things. Thanks for writing this. ?
Hi Emma,
Thanks for dropping by 🙂 Yes it helps with the emotional and psychological aspects through very proactive methods. I’m glad it works for you, too 🙂
Great article Sheryl completely agree xxx
Thanks for reading and the support Jayne!