A few weeks ago I met a gentleman who was deeply disturbed. He was stressed out and clearly frustrated. He indicated that he hasn't been sleeping well for a while now and was always tired and irritable. He seemed to be getting angry at the least provocation and It was affecting his work, family and health. He was clearly stressed and burnt out. He also indicated that certain subjects and situations caused him to have panic attacks and palpitations. He didn't have any energy to even get out of bed some days and everything felt boring and uninteresting. When I suggested that he considers therapy, he quickly rejected the idea . To him, therapy was for people with "real" mental issues and not just tiredness. I had to take time to explain exactly what therapy really was about and how it was going to benefit him.
Unfortunately, he isn't the only one who has a warped misunderstanding of therapy. To most people, Mental Health issues and consequently, therapy are for other people and not them but what exactly is therapy and why is it important?
Therapy is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as a form of treatment that helps someone feel better or grow stronger especially after an illness or any other ailments. That's it. It isn't a complicated medical procedure for only a special type of people. Unfortunately the stigma associated with Mental Health Issues is projected on the term Therapy and has created an errorneous image in the minds of most people. However, the appropriate therapy administered by a qualified professional will not only reverse any harmful ailments but actually improve the quality of life. Some of the challenges therapy can help you with are
1. When facing a major life transition
2. When facing a significant crisis, complex problems or trauma.
3. When dealing with an extended period of anxiety or depression
4. When dealing with complicated family dynamics
or grappling with problems in a relationship
5. When trying to manage an addiction or substance abuse
5. When you want to make changes for better mental, physical and emotional health etc.
So how do you know which type of therapy will be good for you? Psychology.com lists over 50 types of Psychological Therapies ranging from simple ones like coaching to more complex ones like biofeedback and neurofeedback therapies. Some of the most common types of therapies are
1. Counseling Approaches.
2. Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Therapies
3. Behavioral Therapy - cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, systematic desensitization, and flooding.
4. Cognitive Therapy
5. Humanistic Therapy - gestalt therapy, client-centered therapy, and existential therapy
6. Integrative Therapy - a combination of several therapies to produce a holistic approach.
Therapy may be individualistic or in a group and it can be online or in person. The duration could also be short term or long term based on the type and target. A therapist, psychologist or trained counselor or coach may specialize in a specific type of therapy or may combine elements from different ones to achieve the desired results.
Therapy can also help improve communication skills, self empowerment and how to develop fresh insights about your life. It can also teach you to make healthier choices and develop coping strategies to manage distress.
Although Mental Health services are scarce and mostly hard to find in our public health centers, there has been a significant rise in private facilities that offer various forms of therapies, counseling and coaching services.
In conclusion, the stress and other struggles we have to deal with on a daily basis have a significant and debilitating effect on our minds and subsequently our emotions. Seeking help though therapy is not only the right thing to do but it is also the most emotionally intelligent option to take. If you are struggling with any of the issues I mentioned above or knows someone who is, consider therapy. It can save yours or their life.
Written by
Dr. Samuel Tinagyei
Optometrist, Mental Health Advocate, Certified Master Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, Author and Speaker.
