Mental health; it’s a term that comes with some baggage. Mental health is often unseen, so it’s often unthought of, or not taken as seriously as a health issue that’s physical, such as a broken arm. When your mental health begins to feel a little uneasy, it could be a good sign to see a psychologist. Despite the stigma attached to seeing a psychologist, there are plenty of benefits of seeing one too.
They’re Unbiased
Some people think it’s unnecessary to see a psychologist because they have friends and family who listen to their problems and offer advice. This is really important to have, but they’re not the only people who you can trust that can offer advice. Your friends may have unlimited advice, but they also have a bias on the situation. Psychologists offer an unbiased opinion, as they see the issue from an outside perspective. This can be confronting, because they won’t offer sugar coated advice, they’ll offer the truth, which can hurt at times.
It Gives You A New Perspective
Paul Ames from Skye’s The Limit Career Counselling offers the benefits of seeing a psychologist. “Mental health should be taken seriously as when our mindset is fixed ( believing that we can't achieve something, we are not good enough, not smart enough etc) we severely impact our career and life and are not ever going to feel fulfilled or satisfied. Seeing a Counsellor or Psychologist can give you an outside perspective that you often don't see, we provide a safe, genuine and supportive environment to successfully remove those mental roadblocks holding you back in your career/ life.” Find out more about Skye’s The Limit Career Counselling by following them on Facebook.
You Know You’re Not Alone
An issue heaps of people feel is that they’re the only ones who are feeling a certain way. When you see a psychologist, you can come to realise that this isn’t the case. Most of the time, the way you’re feeling, whether it be about your future; your sexuality; whatever, has been felt by someone else. This is can take a huge weight off your shoulders, as well as give you a new perspective on how to handle a situation. If they can get through it, you can too. Dr Lillian Nejad from OmniPsych explains further. “Just like for a physical health problem, early intervention for a mental health problem can prevent more severe difficulties in the future. Many people experience anxiety or depression or other issues at some point in their life; it’s not a sign of weakness, it’s part of being human in this complex and ever-changing world.” Find out more about OmniPsych by following them on Twitter.
It Can Rewire Your Brain
Seeing a psychologist can literally rewire your brain. CBT (Cognitive Brain Therapy) targets patients with depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, teaching them new ways to think, new ways to respond to situations, which ultimately, rewires their brain. How cool is that?
It Can Prevent Burnouts
Educational and developmental psychologist, Stephanie Lau offers her reason why you should see a psychologist. “The opportunity to see a psychologist or mental health professional is a constructive and empowering way to tackle challenges and adopt a solution-focused approach to managing our mental and emotional health. Seeing a professional allows us to discuss our concerns in a confidential capacity, problem-solve and learn more about our vulnerabilities that make us susceptible to ill emotional health. By doing so, we can prevent burnout, chronic health conditions and the array of other negative symptoms that come with ill mental health and well-being. Good mental health = positive physical, emotional and social well being.” Find out more about Stephanie by following checking out her website.
You Can Set New Goals (And Achieve Old Ones)
If you’ve been feeling as motivated as a sack of potatoes, seeing a psychologist can help you get out of your rut. Fantastic for those who have a creative block, or those who are struggling to throw themselves into their work, psychology can relaunch them into it. So if you’ve been thinking about becoming an interior designer, but you feel no real motivation to start, seeing a psychologist may be the kick in the butt you need! Who knows, after a few sessions, you may just start up your new business showing off your tremendous taste in home decor.
It Can Help Your Physical Health Too
Mental health may not be taken as seriously as physical health, but often the two go hand in hand. We’re not just talking your fitness level, we’re talking your sleeping habits, heart health and other organs. Sometimes issues can arise from a lack of sleep, which can actually affect way more than you realise. Whether you’re finding it hard to fall asleep, or you wake up with tension (in which case, you should probably get yourself a new pillow), seeing a psychologist can help you explain your feelings, and how you can work your way around them. Psychologists can help you reduce your drinking habits, change your eating habits and can treat illnesses such as insomnia.
It’s A Safe Space
A real benefit of seeing a psychologist is having somewhere safe to let your feelings out. Unlike a diary, they can offer advice, but in a completely confidential space. Jenn Turnham from Jennifer Jay Dream Chaser shares her advice. “A safe, confidential environment to discuss what's bothering you- An objective audience i.e. someone who doesn't know you, or have a vested interest in your well-being.” Find out more about Jenn Turnham by following her on Facebook and Instagram.
Offers A Reality Check
If you often find yourself freaking out over issues that seem like a big deal, seeing a psychologist may just put your problems in perspective. What seems like the end of the world may just be a small hiccup, or could even work to your advantage. Seeing a professional can help give you a healthy dose of reality, which can transform the way you see problems in the future.
Seeing a psychologist doesn’t mean you’re “crazy” or “abnormal”, it means you take your mental health seriously. Everyone can benefit from seeing a psychologist, even if it’s just once a year.
