Why It Can Be Difficult for People With Mental Illnesses to Seek Help

Health News
Written by A_Smith
March 10, 2022

There are many struggles people with mental illnesses have to endure. One of the many challenges people with mental illnesses face is reluctance or difficulty seeking help.

Many people with mental illnesses don’t seek help until their condition has significantly deteriorated and they are experiencing significant symptoms. This can lead to a longer, more difficult recovery process.

Let’s dive into some of the reasons why it can be difficult for people with kind of mental illnesses to seek help. We’ll also go over some ways people can overcome this struggle.

Contents

Don’t like the stigma

One of the biggest reasons people don’t seek help for their mental illness is because they don’t want to deal with the stigma that comes with it.

There have been many efforts to normalize seeking help for mental illness. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of shame and discrimination associated with mental illnesses. Some people see having a mental illness as a sign of weakness.

Sometimes, it’s an internalized feeling of shame. Some people feel that having a mental illness makes them worse than their others. They feel they don’t measure up to their peers when they struggle with a mental illness.

This stigma can prevent people from seeking help and deter them from talking about their condition openly. The problem is not treating your mental illness can further hurt you. Your mental illness doesn’t go away by magic.

If you bury your feelings or pain, you’re not addressing your problems. For instance, if you’re struggling with bipolar disorder, you’ll have trouble controlling your mood. By not addressing your disorder, you run the risk of it unleashing itself in the worst ways possible. This could be yelling at a loved one, harming yourself, or getting into a fight.

It can be hard to overcome the stigma, so you should consider trying baby steps. You could talk to a friend or family member you trust about what you’re going through. From there, maybe you talk to another loved one. If you can talk with people you trust, you might develop the courage to talk to a professional.

Fear of change

Some people don’t seek help because they are fearful of change. They may be comfortable with their current state even though it is not ideal.

When you treat a mental illness, you might have to make certain changes in your daily life to better yourself. This could be anything from changing your diet, exercising more, avoiding certain substances, or disconnecting with certain toxic people.

Alternatively, you might be prescribed medication to treat your mental illness. Going on medication isn’t easy. You might have to deal with several unpleasant side effects like dizziness, headaches, or stomach aches.

There’s also the fear that nothing will change. If you go through therapy, take the right medication, and adopt a healthier lifestyle, but you still feel better, what do you do? Some people will ponder if a change is even possible.

The sad thing is if you don’t try to make any changes, you will be stuck in your current state. You’ll still struggle with your mental illness. You can’t get better unless you are willing to make some changes.

You can’t let the fear of change consume you. Yes, change can be scary. You’re unsure what lies beyond change, but you must be willing to take the risk. You have to hope you can make a change for the better.

Don’t know where to turn

Another obstacle people face when seeking help is not knowing where to turn.

There are so many options for mental health treatment it can be overwhelming. You have to consider what type of therapy you want, whether you want medication, and which practitioners to see.

It can be difficult to do your own research on mental health treatment. The internet is full of unreliable information. You don’t know who to trust. Many people say they can help you through some voodoo magic or are offering a magic pill that can make you feel better. Many times, these treatments tend to be bogus.

You might not want to tell your family or friends about your condition because you don’t want them to worry about you. This can make it difficult to get a referral from someone you trust.

One way to find mental health treatment is to ask your primary doctor. They can be your best referral to finding the appropriate treatment.

If you’re not comfortable taking it to your doctor, then you could find another health professional and ask them discretely. You could send them an anonymous message online, describe your condition, and ask for advice. They should be able to refer you to a mental health specialist who can help you with your specific condition.

Fear of the cost and time spent

Another reason why people don’t seek help is that they are fearful of the cost and time commitment. These factors can be big concerns when it comes down to treatment.

Mental illness can be expensive to treat. You might have to see a therapist for a long period of time, go to therapy sessions, and take medication. The total cost could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

There is also the fear that you will have to spend a lot of time on treatment. You might be required to attend therapy sessions for a few hours every week. This could take away from the time you could be spending with your friends or family.

You also might have to take time off work to get treatment. Time off work can interfere with your ability to make costs and pay for treatment.

You should not let the cost or time commitment prevent you from seeking help. The cost and time commitment will be worth it if you can get better.

Think about the cost and time commitment as an investment in your health. You’re investing in yourself so you can live a better life. You will be able to spend more time with your loved ones and do the things you love.

It can be difficult and scary to seek help to cure mental illness. However, you should not let your fears or the challenge hold you back.

Mental illness is a serious problem, and it should not be taken lightly. It’s better to try to seek help than not to do anything at all. You might be able to find yourself in a better mental state and improve your overall life if you seek help.

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