There is no questioning that Baltimore is a city that ranks high in terms of drug abuse, violent crime, and poverty. All of those circumstances — coupled with the struggles of daily life — can cause or contribute to mental illness.
Mental health is seeing a rise in awareness due to increases in the country’s suicide rate and drug overdoses. The more these problems perpetuate themselves, the more glaring the need for a solution to the depression and mental anguish that grips many is evident.
Unfortunately, mental illness goes untreated all too often, and ultimately these illnesses drag down individuals and families. Suicide and drug abuse are preventable, and the trauma that they cause is needless. While still highly stigmatized by some, psychotherapy can help those suffering from mental illness to better cope with their problems. Continue reading to learn how psychotherapy can benefit you.
It can give you a better understanding of the inner workings of your mind
One of the greatest struggles that many sufferers of mental illness have to deal with is the feeling of being confused about their feelings. Sometimes, you’re just too close to the problem to get a full view of it, and in these cases, an outside perspective can be golden.
Psychotherapy is all about helping people to take a step back and look at the problem from a different angle. With a fresh perspective, you will be better equipped to recognize and manage the situations that lead to you being stressed and depressed. As you talk out your problems with a therapist, you will become more aware of the factors that affect your moods and behavior.
It can help you come up with coping strategies
There are a lot of dangers associated with mental illness because it directly affects behavior. It can result in people isolating themselves, drug abuse, and even violent behavior. Too often, mental illness goes undetected, and sufferers find themselves engaging in destructive behavior. Maryland’s prisons are full of people who suffer from at least one mental illness that was never recognized or treated until it was too late.
Cognitive behavioral specialists–also called CBT therapists–specialize in using talk therapy to nip destructive patterns in the bud. When you know your triggers and what your natural responses to those triggers are, you can learn to see mental episodes coming and avoid them. Psychotherapy can put you back in the driver’s seat rather than you being driven by rampant, renegade thoughts and emotions.
It can help you to become a better communicator
Because mental illness is so stigmatized in this country, it can be a hard thing for those suffering from it to talk about. It can make you feel alone and even guilty. However, psychotherapy can help you to overcome the feelings of loneliness that often come with mental illness.
Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy because it tends to focus on learning how to think and talk your way through the problems that plague your mind. The more you talk with a therapist about your mental illness, the more confident you will become about talking to your family and friends.
Mental health issues can put a strain on your relationships, but much of this strain stems from a lack of understanding and communication. As you learn how to better articulate your issues, the better those around you will understand your struggle. Communicating with them will help your loved ones to play a more prominent role in your recovery.
