Author: Gary Jackson

Therapy Avoidance: Risks, Reasons, and Mental Health Alternatives

If you’re in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, call your local emergency services number (like 911 in the US) or go to the nearest emergency room. Mental health professionals are trained to assess risk, provide immediate support, and develop safety plans. They can also facilitate access to higher levels of care if needed, such as inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient programs. Breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and therapy is a collective effort.

Further, therapy can help patients move away from medications — a worthy goal given that some medications have long-term side effects. Many people would rather live with the uncomfortableness that they know than try to change for fear of what is not known. It’s amazing how many people will remain stuck, anxious, depressed, and in terrible relationships for long periods of time. They know their discomfort so well that rather than take a chance to pull themselves out of the emotional hole they are in, they will stay stuck due to unknowns they may face. There has been a lot written in the past as to why people are reluctant to call a therapist for help.

Major Depression: Reasons Why People Avoid Treatment

To find therapists near you, see the Psychology Today Therapy Directory. The frequency and duration of therapy are discussed together between the therapist and patient and are ultimately decided by the patient. People benefit from a wide range of treatment durations, from very short-term consults to longer-term therapy or psychoanalysis, depending on the individual and their goals and needs. These cultural and religious factors can create significant internal conflict for individuals who recognize they need help but feel constrained by their community’s expectations or beliefs. It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.

Why do people avoid mental health treatment?

In fact, it is often that which we do not fully understand about ourselves that most interferes with happiness and success. Self-awareness allows people to gain more control over their own lives. When we avoid therapy, we’re essentially putting our mental health on the back burner. It’s like ignoring a persistent cough or a nagging pain in your knee.

It is not uncommon to feel anxious.

“Having been a therapist for several years, I have come across many individuals who are hesitant to engage in treatment. More often than not, people are misinformed about what therapy actually is,” Robyn Gold, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, explains. Rebecca Landau-Millin, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

1. In the end, therapy feels like a chore sometimes, but it’s a chore that can lead to profound personal growth, improved relationships, and a higher quality of life.
2. Although antidepressants are effective against depression, treatment for depression doesn’t always involve medication.
3. Others might believe that therapy is only for “crazy” people or those with severe mental illnesses.
4. Mindfulness and meditation have gained significant attention in recent years, and for good reason.
5. Some people stay clear of therapy out of concern they will immediately have to talk about topics they feel are taboo.

Talking to a therapist can’t possibly help you—or can it?

It is learning to cope with one’s experience and those who have caused pain. Many of them will tell you right off the bat that they like to say what’s on their minds. Many of them offer practical advice, or provide detailed feedback about the way they understand you and your problems. Even the therapists who do more listening than talking are not judging you—they are quietly working to perceive your problems your way, empathically. And if you do feel judged by your therapist, you should bring up those feelings. Healing a lifetime of wounds, and even just feeling a little less stressed at work, isn’t an overnight process.

They believe they have to be completely ready to make a change before they receive mental health care. Therapists often have to assure potential patients that therapy is not about pushing someone to make a life decision in one direction or another. It is about talking through those decisions in an atmosphere that supports healthy change. Therapy stigma and avoidance can lead to prolonged suffering, as untreated mental health issues rarely resolve on their own. This can result in a domino effect, impacting relationships, work performance, and overall life satisfaction. In some cases, it can even lead to the development of more severe mental health conditions or exacerbate existing ones.

I Don’t Want to Prove That People Were Right to See Me as Struggling

Finally, some people might give therapy a try but then stop before they can make any real progress. Thriveworks offers flexible and convenient therapy services, available both online and in-person nationwide, with psychiatry services accessible in select states. Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., Maggioni, F., Evans-Lacko, S., Bezborodovs, N., … & Thornicroft, G. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek professional help immediately.

On the other hand, psychotherapy has no chemical side effects and represents an active, positive coping strategy. Even in the cases where psychiatric medication maintenance is the treatment of choice, it often works best when supplemented with weekly psychotherapy. She writes about mental health, real estate, interior design, and sociology. Find the right provider for you, based on your specific needs and preferences, all online.

Before we dive into the reasons people avoid therapy, let’s take a moment to appreciate its vital role in mental health care. Therapy, at its core, is a collaborative process between a trained professional and an individual seeking to improve their mental well-being. It’s a safe space where one can explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgment. Therapy avoidance, a silent struggle that plagues many, often stems from a complex web of personal fears, societal stigmas, and misconceptions about mental health treatment. It’s a phenomenon that touches countless lives, yet remains shrouded in silence and misunderstanding.