Due to misconceptions about mental illness, many people are unable to receive the essential care. The guilt attached to requiring mental health care can be quite damaging. Due to the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and others, people are forced to endure unnecessary suffering in silence. Here are a few of the most prevalent myths and realities around mental health.

• Clients of Therapists Do Not Have Listening Friends, Family Members, or a Significant Other

You won't get the same mental health benefits from talking to them unless one of your friends, family members, or partners is a trained therapist. In any case, you shouldn't leave all of that obligation to your loved ones. Friends are for sharing experiences, not complaining. They will support you in difficult circumstances, but you shouldn't frequently use them in place of therapy.

• Struggling is Not Typical

It's a common myth about mental illness that having terrible feelings is not normal. However, dealing with mental health issues is a common aspect of being human. In the United States, about 20% of people feel anxiety, while 7% go through significant depressive episodes. Only disorders with a mental health diagnosis are included in these statistics. There are several manifestations of mental health issues, and not all of them necessitate a diagnosis.

Openly acknowledging the fact that many people will require mental health help at some point in their lives is a key component of eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness. About 50% of participants in a World Health Organization (WHO) survey had a mental health diagnosis at some time in their lives. Even if their symptoms are not severe, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental disorder in a given year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• You visit a therapist because you lack the strength to deal with problems on your own

Imagine telling someone who had just been in a vehicle accident that they needed to see a doctor because they were too weak to heal themselves. It may sound harsh, but it's not all that different from telling someone they are weak if they seek counseling rather than put up with stress, mental illness, or trauma. Therapy is no different in that asking for assistance is never a sign of weakness.

Therapy is challenging, and those who seek it out are brave and strong enough to ask for assistance and make changes in their lives.

People often use adjectives like "neurotic" and "whiny" to describe folks who need therapy in addition to the word "weak." People who are unaware of therapy think of themselves as indolent or needy for sympathy rather than assistance.

In actuality, ambitious and successful people frequently seek treatment. They see bettering their mental health as an additional objective.

• You are unable to prevent issues with mental health

You need not suffer, even when its common. There are practical options if you discover that your symptoms are preventing you from achieving your objectives or carrying on with your daily life. Professional mental health care is a component of the answer for certain people. Others may find relief via self-care and coping mechanisms. The most crucial factor is that you be inspired to act to improve your mental health.

• Everyone who receives therapy begins their sessions after a tragedy or crisis

The need for expert assistance might strike people suddenly. It's not necessary for painful occasions like family deaths to act as triggers. For help navigating a new stage of life, dealing with general malaise, debunking ingrained negative attitudes, and other reasons, patients seek therapy. No terrible event is necessary for people to desire a happier life.

Therapy is a powerful tool for averting future problems like divorce. Kathryn Gates, a marital and family therapist in Texas, advises couples to go to counseling when their relationship is strong rather than as a last choice.

Hospitals can be used for purposes other than emergency room visits, and you don't have to use a therapist's office as your mental or emotional safety net. Therapy can maintain or enhance a good quality of life and a healthy mental state.