There is a stigma behind members of society who go to therapy. Yes, It's slowly changing, but it's there nonetheless. We're written off as unstable, insecure, and crazy. While it's true that sometimes a criminal can get away with a crime by claiming "insanity" and doing time in a safe box instead of a jail cell, these cases only make up a small percentage of people who choose to start visiting a therapist or check themselves into a mental health ward. As a member of society who has greatly benefited from therapy in the past, I am here to tell you that we, who are suffering from a pain that is "all in our head," are much more than the stigma behind why we see a therapist.
We are smart. We know that we simply cannot go through whatever it is that we are, alone. Whether it's our parents divorcing, our best friend passing away, adjusting to a new town or feeling like we don't belong in our current one. Some life events take more than just a hug from our mother and Netflix marathon to heal the hurt they bring. We, who confide in a therapist, know that those who we surround ourselves with may care deeply about us, but they are in no position to offer us any professional solutions for the emotions we are feeling.
We are brave. Therapy is scary, often times we are show a side of ourselves that we didn't even know existed. We are are given insight in the deepest and sometimes darkest corners of our mind and told why we feel what we feel by someone who could very well be a complete stranger. I don't care what anyone says, that takes some serious nerve. No one can force you to go to a therapist, and even when you go, your therapist can't force you to tell them anything you don't want to. One has to be ready and willing to seek out therapy and sometimes it takes longer than one might be willing to admit.
We are normal. There is nothing wrong with us, we're not crazy. You'd be surprised at the number of people in your life who may see a therapist on a regular basis. In fact, a study was done in 2004, an estimated 49 million people sought out therapy at that time. Imagine what that number might be today!
There's nothing wrong with going to therapy, it's normal and we're normal. While yes, going to a therapist is a scary thought, there's more good than harm, if any, that will come of mustering up the confidence to finally make that first appointment. Matchbox 20 said it best, "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell."
