All over the world, many individuals resort to seeking professional help for their mental health problems. In 2012, I became one of them.
Whereas most people utilize mental health services at the insistence of their loved ones, I proactively sought it out. I had no reservations about seeking help. If I had any, my reservations were about whether I could afford it. The high cost of psychiatric consultation didn’t stop me, though. I needed professional help desperately, so I met with a psychiatrist without a moment’s thought. Has seeking professional help been worth it so far, though?
Barriers to Seeking Professional Help
Let’s admit it: Most of us were (or still are) hesitant about seeking professional help, and understandably so. Each one of us has personal reasons for not wanting to see a mental health professional. There are many reasons that act as barriers to seeking professional help, such as the following.
Stigma Surrounding Seeking Professional Help
Many of us fear that other people will judge us if we do resort to seeking professional help. Concerns such as the following may interfere with our judgment [*, *]:
Thus, many Filipinos, afraid of being subjected to stigma and discrimination, do not utilize mental health services, despite being burdened with mental health conditions.
Poor Mental Health Literacy
Mental health literacy includes the capacity to recognize mental disorders and their respective symptoms. It also entails knowing enough about mental health care [*]. Because many people lack mental health literacy, they are unaware of what to do when they face mental health problems. They may even believe that what they are experiencing is normal. As a result, they believe that they don’t need to seek mental health treatment.
Clash With Cultural Values
In the Philippines, certain cultural values prevent us from seeking professional help. For instance, hiya (loss of face) precludes the willingness to seek treatment. Not only that, but Filipinos also pride themselves on having tiyaga (perseverance). They also believe in lakas ng loob (inner strength and resilience) [*].
Pragmatic Barriers to Seeking Professional Help
The Philippines is primarily a low-income country. Because of this, we find that seeking professional help is costly. Not only that, but some of us may also feel that we don’t have the time to do so. Furthermore, even if an individual decides to seek help, they may doubt that the treatment will be effective in the first place.
Preference for Self-Reliance
I feel that I’m capable of managing my moods. I don’t think that therapy is urgent right now for me. When or if it reaches that point, I will do so, but until then, I believe I will manage just fine [*].
Does this statement sound familiar? You’ve probably told yourself something similar. However, this initiates a cycle of avoidance. In other words, the more you experience distress, the more you widen your threshold for it. In effect, you rely on yourself more to cope rather than seek help from a mental health provider [*].
Preference for Informal Sources of Support
Finally, among Filipinos, it is common to seek support from one’s friends, peers, family, and online support groups. This is because Filipinos feel more comfortable expressing their concerns with an insider (hindi ibang tao). In effect, they are less likely to open up to an outsider (ibang tao) [*].
Benefits to Seeking Professional Help
Despite all of these reasonable justifications, seeking professional help produces more benefits than setbacks. The following are just some of these benefits.
Symptom Relief
Out of all of the benefits to seeking professional help, improved mental health and reduced stress rank high on the list [*]. In fact, many who have tried medications and/or psychotherapy perceive treatment as effective [*]. Of course, though, the effectiveness of treatment may vary. This would depend on the competence of your mental health provider and the therapeutic relationship you have with them. Your responsiveness to treatment and your motivation to change are also factors that can influence treatment outcomes.
More Optimal Functioning
Naturally, lower distress levels and improved management of symptoms lead to better functional outcomes. Suicide risk lowers, levels of depression and anxiety reduce, and other disturbances are minimized. Altogether, these positively impact your functioning at work, in school, at home, and in your relationships. However, without treatment, you may run the risk of poor academic and occupational performance. Moreover, lower functioning leads to unemployment and school dropout [*].
Self-Awareness and Personal Growth
As you may already know, self-awareness is one of the precursors to personal growth. But what is self-awareness? Self-awareness involves knowing yourself, including your identity, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and values. It also entails knowing how all of these affect others. Not only does self-awareness contribute to growth, but it also improves goal setting and problem solving. It also enriches relationships and improves performance. How so?
By being more self-aware, you can get to know your strengths and limitations [*]. In addition, it facilitates self-acceptance. There are many avenues for enhancing self-awareness. Out of all, though, seeking professional help is arguably one of the best options for you.
Are Medications and Psychotherapy Worth It?
Now, you might be wondering: Will medications and psychotherapy treat all of your mental health problems?
Personally, I can’t give a clear-cut answer to this question. My mental health journey has been long, winding, and emotionally taxing. I’ve been on medication and therapy for over a decade now, but I’ve shown improvements only recently, in 2020. Anecdotally speaking, my answer would be that it won’t. It took a very gradual change in mindset and for me to manage my expectations about my mental health. Although I probably no longer have severe symptoms, I believe I still have much to work on in the path toward recovery.
Then again, this is just my personal experience. After all, I do have multiple psychological disorders. So, it shouldn’t come as a shock to me or to anyone that it would take some time to heal. For most people who are responsive to treatment, though, medications and psychotherapy are, in fact, worth it.
Is Counseling or Psychotherapy Worth It?
History has long proven that counseling and psychotherapy are effective as treatment for mental health problems. In fact, empirical evidence supporting this fact has been around since the 1980s [*]. But what is counseling and psychotherapy, and is there a difference between the two?
On the one hand, counseling is often brief or time-limited. It usually focuses on a few specific mental health concerns that aren’t as negatively impactful as a mental illness. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is usually more intensive and provided by a psychologist with more advanced training. The focus of psychotherapy is typically on treating mental illness.
All empirically supported therapy approaches are equally beneficial [*]. Interestingly, it isn’t even psychotherapy in itself that proves helpful. As many as 15% of patients already feel that their distress has alleviated even before attending their first session. This is likely due to their belief that they are finally going to receive treatment [*]. Moreover, according to a study, approximately 75% of clients have shown significant treatment gains after 26 sessions. However, this does not necessarily mean that they have reaped the full benefits of psychotherapy.
Finally, to add an important caveat, no treatment modality can guarantee the complete alleviation of symptoms [*]. Ultimately, though, research has, in fact, proven time and time again that psychotherapy is worth it.
Are Medications Worth It?
Now, we turn to prescription psychoactive medications: Do they really help in our mental health recovery?
From a neuroscientific perspective, the answer is yes, more notably if you have a severe psychiatric disorder. Generally, psychiatric medications work by altering neurotransmitter activity for neural communication to take place [*]. However, if a doctor does prescribe you with medication, this does not mean that you need to be on medication for life. This is known as the medication necessity myth, a now widely discredited view. It is better to be tapered off the medication as opposed to continuously being medicated [*].
What to Expect When Seeking Professional Help
Now, perhaps you’re more convinced to seek help from a mental health provider. What can you expect when seeking professional help for your mental health problems? More specifically, what happens when you undergo mental health treatment, exactly? The following are some suggestions in managing your expectations when seeking professional help.
Ask yourself what traits you would prefer in your mental health provider.
When looking for a mental health professional, think about your preferences. Would you like your mental health provider to be of the same gender? Do you need someone who is culturally competent or who is part of the LGBTQ+ community? These are important questions to ask so that you feel more comfortable opening up to your mental health provider. You will also be more likely to respond to treatment if your provider possesses the qualities that you would like them to have.
Decide whether to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
A psychiatrist is tasked with assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, usually from a biopsychosocial standpoint. Psychiatrists prescribe medication and may be trained in psychotherapy. On the other hand, psychologists assess and treat your mental health problems through counseling and psychotherapy. It is recommended that, for less severe problems and symptoms, you seek treatment from a psychologist first.
Prepare a list of questions to ask when seeking professional help.
It is best to come prepared before your first session with your chosen mental health provider. Questions you can ask include the following:
Manage your expectations about the first session.
Usually, therapy does not occur yet during your first session. This is because your mental health provider will first ask you questions about your reasons for seeking professional help. They will also ask about your background and history (called an intake interview).
Furthermore, expect that your provider will discuss the treatment process, as well as its benefits and limitations. You will also be briefed on your rights as a client.
Finally, if you plan to see a psychiatrist, expect that they may prescribe you with medication at the end of the first session. Medications are usually prescribed to restore your mental and emotional state to baseline levels. In addition, they may also formulate a working impression of your possible psychiatric diagnosis. Note, though, that this is not a final diagnosis, and it may change over time.
Lessons Learned From Seeking Professional Help
I’ve seen about seven to eight psychiatrists and three psychologists in the span of my mental health journey. As a result, I’ve undergone a variety of treatments and been prescribed several medications. Consequently, I’ve picked up many lessons along the way, some of which are the following.
Mental health professionals may not be able to address everything.
Take note that an average session lasts for only 50 minutes to 1 hour. It is therefore unrealistic to expect that they will cover all of their bases. In that case, don’t hesitate to provide information that they may have failed to ask about.
Voice your concerns and goals for treatment.
Mental health professionals may assume that you would like to be helped with only the problems you explicitly mention. However, it is not always safe to assume, and naturally, they are not mind readers. Seeking professional help would be more effective if you tell them what problems or symptoms you would like to address. This will enable your mental health provider to formulate the appropriate treatment plan. In addition, by informing them of your goals, they will understand what your priorities are in seeking professional help.
Be motivated and willing to change.
Keep an open mind when seeking professional help. Sometimes, you may not like the treatment approach that your mental health provider chooses for you, so you may be resistant to it. However, consider that this may be the most effective type of treatment for you. After all, mental health professionals are trained to know what will be beneficial for their clients. This knowledge is based not only on their clinical expertise but also on empirical research.
Be honest.
I can no longer count how many times my lies of omission have impeded the effectiveness of my treatment. As a consequence, I’ve been prescribed with improper doses of medication. Additionally, I’m usually not emotionally expressive. As a result, my mental health providers over the years have failed to catch the gravity of my symptoms and problems. With that said, present all significant personal information so that they can fully assist you with your concerns.
Recognize that you don’t need to have a mental disorder to seek help.
Mental health services are for anyone and everyone. Your problems don’t need to be so grave or severe to see a mental health professional. In fact, it is much healthier to seek treatment as early as you can to prevent the development of a mental illness. Preventive treatment is always better than curative treatment.
Be patient.
It is not realistic to expect significant mental health improvement just after some sessions of counseling or psychotherapy. In fact, it took me about a decade for me to get to where I am now. However, still having poor mental health over a decade of treatment is not that common. It is the nature and severity of my psychiatric disorders that led me to only improve gradually. However, this won’t necessarily be the case for you!
Final Thoughts
Seeking professional help may be a daunting endeavor. Remember, though, that good mental health contributes to functioning, lowers distress, and improves your physical health and well-being. It is my hope that by sharing what lessons I’ve learned and what to expect will motivate you to begin your journey toward healing.
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