Therapy Is Not for the Weak of Heart
When you break a bone you go to the doctor. Depending on the type of break you may need rest, you may need a brace, you may need surgery, and months – even years – of physical therapy to repair the break. Your body needs time to mend to become as strong as it once was. In many cases, our bodies become even stronger.
Your mind is no different, if your mind, your emotional state, is hurting, you may need rest, you may need to gather tools and you may need time in therapy to become stronger. This does not make you weak, it makes you stronger, no different than an arm or leg.
There is so much stigma in seeking therapy today. Society and media can make the entire process seem scary and near impossible. There is a stigma that you will be seen as incapable, as less than, or a shell of your former self. When in reality simply admitting you cannot do it alone to a family member, a trusted friend, or a health care provider is a sign of great strength.
What we tell ourselves
Many times people think things such as:
“It’s not that bad”
“I’m just having a bad day”
“Just one of those days”
“I’m just in a funk”
“Others have it way worse”
“It will get better after I get the promotion”
“Once I get out of debt then I’ll be able to relax”
“It’s just growing pains, we can work it out”
“Everybody feels this way sometimes”
Do any of these sound familiar?
Sometimes we get so used to the thoughts floating around in our own head that they do start to feel normal. Like they are just part of life. However, they don’t have to be. You don’t have to go about each day having negative thoughts and having them be just a part of your day-to-day routine.
It takes great strength to be able to admit not only to yourself but to others (such as a therapist) that you need help. Why is this? In some cases:
It’s because you are right
Wait, what?
You’re right! You may just be having a particularly bad day. But if you are at the point where breaking glass while doing the dishes is enough to have you in a puddle of tears. It may be time to reach out.
You’re right!!! You may be able to work things out in your relationship. But at what cost? And for how long? Yes, all couples fight but not all fights are created equal, and that is not your fault.
YOU’RE RIGHT!! Others have it worse. Countries are at war, others have terminal illnesses, and your neighbour’s house is in foreclosure. But that doesn’t mean that what you are going through and feeling doesn’t matter. Because it does!
All of these things are valid. But when a broken bone goes untreated it will likely heal improperly. When we allow ourselves to believe the little intrusive, negative voice in our heads we can turn to harmful and dangerous coping mechanisms.
Studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic show that many Canadians began consuming greater amounts of alcohol. Many people attributed their increased habit to anxiety, depression and feeling lonely. For more information you can click here.
In some severe cases a broken bone can become so severe they become life-threatening. If you wouldn’t let a broken leg go untreated – why let your mental health?
I’ll give you a hint, it’s because it is scary. It’s ok to be scared about something new. It’s our human nature to have a certain degree of hesitation when approached with new things. For a long time that hesitation about new things is what kept us alive. That instinct has followed us throughout history and though sometimes helpful still, it’s not always the best thing to be scared of every new thing we come across.
But I don’t know how to start?
The first thing is to recognize, within yourself, that you need some help. Then reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or our team!
You can reach out to our team to ask questions about where to start, or you can book now for a free video or phone consultation to find the therapist that is the right fit for you.
Our team is equipped to handle a variety of life challenges with a wide variety of approaches.
It seems scary because it is, and society and media has told us for years that getting help and seeking out therapy makes you weak. However, just like anything in our body your brain deserves to heal and you along with it deserve to heal physically and emotionally. We are here to help you rewrite the narrative not only for yourself but to show everyone the strength that comes from asking for help.
Our strength grows out of our weakness ~Ralph Waldo Emerson