Help I never took therapy due to fear but should I go to counselling this time?

[UnnervedCompany]

So I am REALLY not feeling well and everything that I tried to help me isn't working. Friends, games, reading, studying, eating out, and eating well are all not helping me in the slightest. I have not allowed the mental pain to harm me outside my head so I still keep my bonds and still work on my responsibilities yet I still feel extremely heavy. I get free counselling for the university and I am wondering for those who went to get professional help for issues is it a process that is worth trying? Also if the answer is yes I should go what should I look out for and what should I prepare?

 

[timf]

There are some therapists that can be somewhat helpful and some that can make things worse. Most might want to ask questions to determine which category to put you in and tell you what is determined for that category. However, even that can be helpful.

At some point therapy will have to transition from what someone tells you to what you do or can put into practice.for yourself. This might involve experimenting to see if there is something hindering you to discovering that which can motivate. Therapy might be more useful if you approach it from a consumer perspective searching for that of which you can make use.

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

Therapy is like religion, it only works if you put your full heart and soul into it. If you have any reservations that stubbornness won't allow you to get over then therapy might as well be as effective as bowing down and praying to Zeus.

 

[notwhereIbelong]

I'd suggest you give it a shot. Therapy can be hit or miss, it doesn't work for everyone, but it's worth trying. Do go in with an open mind and be prepared to work on yourself, don't go in thinking the therapist will wave a magic wand and make your problems go away. It takes work and effort.

 

[tss fss]

Absolutely go give it a shot . However, I would say don't have very high hopes since there is no silver bullet.

Also make sure the session remains on the right track and focused on the real problems , and make sure that you get all the available psychological tests to get the right diagnosis.

Therapy is only talking to someone in a closed room for 45 minutes a week. The therapist is not going to fill the void in your life or heel you emotionally and don't expect them to play the role of a loving and caring parent.

So again go for it but keep your expectations modest.

 

[Life_and_Death]

if youre asking then probably? tbf i could say ive asked about going to psych, i still havent (still question if it could be useful, especially during the harder days)

but if you are going to go, its quite possible it wont go well. you have to find one you "click" with. someone that listens, gives you the space you need. and sometimes, that can take a few attempts (same with medication if it goes that way.)
im not really sure what specific advice to give you though.

(i have seen a couple therapists, 2-3, so im not speaking from no where) but i have also found doing most/all of the work on my own to have shown significant improvement. so maybe thats an option? i literally just..google. but use (and understand) the right sites. some places are more credible than others
i wouldnt really say the therapists did anything, i wasnt there long enough and one of them refused to listen to me. i left her instantly. its like any relationship there are some red flags you shouldnt put up with. but that doesnt mean there isnt someone out there that can help.

and @Dr Iron Arc isnt wrong, but at the same time it doesnt mean you have to be 100% for it all the time. its ok to sit down, its ok to take breaks. what changes is whether or not you decide to get up again. (i also agree with @timf and @notwhereIbelong

it reminds me of these 2 things i saw on fb.

1) On the days you have only 40%, and you give 40%. You gave 100%.
2) (see attached pic)


idk if any of this is helpful to you. its just what ive personally experienced and has been helping me (or in some cases read about and sympathized with other peoples cases and filled in some blanks that made sense) so im probably missing things. but maybe it at leasts gives you (or someone reading) another perspective.

whatever you decide to do, i hope it goes well for you

 

[Praestat_Mori]

What's causing you the MH issues? R there triggers? Do you already know them? Do you think therapy can help to eliminate triggers for your MH issues?

Therapy is trial and error. If you think it can help you then give it a try. Therapy isn't necessarily the cure for everything.

 

[Innereye]

The problem with therapy and how it developed as an industry is it doesn't really focus on cures ,more about "treatment" that produces pretty mixed results. Goals are often dedicated to keeping patients in the wringer.

When the issue is pathological pursuing more novel treatments like TMS or ECT. Or even psychedelics can be a worthwhile venture.

For me recovery is more about self-acceptance than change. Knowing who you are, what you want, why you want it and how to get it. However with the right therapist you can gain access to some of this awareness so it serves a purpose.