~Health ~
I’m not Crazy:
m
Seeking Psychotherapy
A
few months ago I was talking with a
friend who was experiencing a myriad of family problems that rendered
him emotionally drained and depressed.
Given his evident distress, I politely recommended that he seek professional help in the
form of psychotherapy. Before I even finished my sentence, he yelled, “I ain’t crazy!”
“I don’t need some stranger telling me what
to do!”
be falling around them. Why is this? After
having countless conversations with people
who are opposed to meeting with a
psychologist, I have come to realize that
many of us hold misconceptions about
psychotherapy. Below are three of the most
common misconceptions I often hear from
friends and family. I sincerely hope that
discussing these myths will start a conversation in our community about when we should
see a psychologist.
Unfortunately, the experience with my friend
is all too common in our community of Sierra Leoneans. We can feel emotionally broken from depression or tragically lose a
loved one and never consider seeking psychotherapy. Yet, if we were to break our leg,
most of us would run to the doctor without
hesitation. I understand that a broken leg is
an obvious injury that requires immediate
medical attention and emotional turmoil resulting in depression is not a visible wound.
However, both injuries can result in profound dysfunction if untreated. A broken leg
could become infected or heal improperly if
untreated, while prolonged depression may
become worse resulting in underperformance
at work or school if professional help is not
obtained.
I am not suggesting that everyone needs
psychotherapy. However, if life issues such
as a pending divorce or unbearable anxiety
negatively impacts a person’s ability to
function, we should encourage them to seek
psychotherapy, much like we would urge an
uncle to pursue medical treatment for chronic
migraines. Instead, many of us are reluctant
to suggest that a friend or family member
attend therapy even when ѡ