Although there is a stigma associated with going to therapy and admitting to suffering from a mental disorder, it does not mean that there should be any shame in going to therapy. Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be taken cared of in a similar way. Some of the most common reasons for therapy are addiction, mental or behavioral control, stress and depression.
Most Common Reasons for Therapy
Some of the most common reasons for therapy are addiction, mental or behavioral control, stress and depression.
Depression
People who suffer from depression are the larger demographic of those who attend group therapy and one on one therapy session because this allows for a safe space to vent and express vulnerable thoughts of suicide and incidents that may have cause Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
New mothers who are confused as to whether they are experiencing Postpartum Depression (PPD) or the more common Baby Blues also seek therapy to help with the new stresses of the life altering event of having a child.
Addiction
It is often common for those who suffer from alcohol abuse or drug withdrawal to seek counseling or attend sobriety meetings when their lifestyle choices have lead them to feel apathetic, lonely, depressed or angry.
Because addiction is hard to recover from, many look into group therapy to have a community that can help them remain accountable to their goals and choices.
Feeling Stuck
Whether it is during a midlife crisis or the gap between college and starting or finding your career, there is a great demographic of those who attend therapy to sort out overwhelming thoughts of what the next step is. Maybe you find that many people your age group already know exactly what they need to do next and how to make that happen, while you’re waiting for a sign or trying to figure out what your next step is. Therapy give you a mediator between you and your own thoughts.
Grieving
After the loss of a loved one, emotions can be confusing or may come in stages that we can’t sort out and understand fully. Grief Counseling is a very common type of therapy that people go to. A specialist is patient and can help guide the grieving into a healthy direction rather than leading to self destruction and a deep depression.
Self Awareness
Along the same lines as feeling stuck, the lighter more positive alternative to that is personal growth. There is a saying that goes “no one knows you better than you do yourself,” which is the main motivation for some who go to therapy. Getting to know the inner mechanisms of one’s thoughts and behavior can bring more than just self awareness but ability to maintain personal relationships and growth as well.
Anger Control
There are many cases in which people can’t understand why they react a certain way during a heated moment or in times of frustration and stress. Whether they take it out on other around them or result to self destruction, people who cannot control their actions in anger need therapy to sort out those emotions. Although it is a lengthy and difficult process, counseling anger management is necessary for everyone’s safety.
Bottom Line
The awareness of mental health issues has grown so much in recent years, however it is still a taboo and covertly spoken of subject across many countries. The most common reasons for therapy range from feeling depressed or apathetic to recovery from alcohol or substance abuse and addiction. In any case, do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you feel you would best benefit from seeking mental health help.