A few years ago I started therapy. I kept it a secret when I started, it felt like it wasn’t the kind of thing I could tell anyone. I felt like it was embarrassing, and I was kind of ashamed of it.
Worse, I felt like I was the only one. It seemed like everyone but me was competent to handle things on their own. But then there was me, I needed help, because I was less capable. None of my friends or family needed help like that or so I thought.
After I started with my therapist I got more comfortable with the process, and was open with my loved ones. On occasion I even recommended therapy to someone, if I thought that it would benefit them.
Guess what happened? As I started confiding in other people that I was in therapy, they started telling me the same thing! It was like once I told them that I would understand, it was safe to tell me. We didn’t have to keep this a secret from each other anymore.
I heard a lot of memorable stories. One friend has been in therapy for depression since middle school. My hairdresser takes anti-anxiety medication for obsessive compulsive disorder. One person who is close to me was on antidepressants for a while, following the untimely deaths of both of her parents.
The people who told me these things said they felt relieved to be able to share the information. They were tired of keeping the secret! I felt like I had support in my struggles, and like I wasn’t alone, just from hearing their stories.
Therapy has made me realize that none of us are perfect. Also, there’s no point in trying to hide it when you are having difficulties. It’s better to be open and honest.
Disclosing to others can be very helpful. Chances are you’ll learn that other people have struggled with the same difficulties and challenges that you face yourself. It makes you feel a lot better, which is itself therapeutic.
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categories: motivational,psychology,self help,happiness,depression,family,teens,women,parenting,reference,advice,goal setting,social issues,men’s issues