Dealing with mental illness alone is like trying to row across the Pacific by yourself in nothing more than a dinghy with a dozen holes and only one oar. Many people believe that issues like depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder are simply signs of personal weakness or laziness, which has created a stigma around mental illness that is only just now beginning to lessen. The reality is that everyone is prone to mental, emotional, and behavioral issues to some degree, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Every year, psychotherapist Chicago-based treatment programs help thousands of patients make real, lasting progress.
What many people fail to realize is that seeing a therapist doesn’t necessarily mean you have an illness, nor that you require medication. Many professionals, including a local Counselor Chicago, prefer to use talk or cognitive behavioral therapy first to teach patients skills to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. If these therapies do not have the desired effect, then your psychotherapist Chicago may recommend using a pharmaceutical to supplement your program, starting at the lowest dose and gradually increasing until you begin noticing results. While it is true that some people stay on medications long term, in many cases patients are able to reduce and eventually cut out medication all together once issues are under control. Sometimes your illness is a symptom of trying to deal with a particularly stressful or challenging time in your life, and medication, counseling and other treatment options can help you regain your equilibrium and bring your life back into balance. For individuals with more serious long term disorders, psychotherapy offers an opportunity to work out issues in a safe environment with a trained professional who can help find workable solutions. Even if your treatment ends up being a long term commitment, simply recognizing and managing your illness creates a positive impact on your psyche.
If you struggle with mental or emotional issues, it’s not something you have to go through alone. There is more than one top psychotherapist Chicago-located that can provide you with the support and therapies that you need to improve your health, and all you have to do is call.
