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I feel like going to see someone about personal problems is a waste of money. Someone is being paid to listen to you, tell you common sense and make you dependent on pills. It's been my experience that only the individual can truly solve a problem in their own head. Referring to "anxiety," "depression," and other vague "conditions."
Psychology is a bit of a hack subject to be honest. It has it's place as a way for people to talk about their problems but it's based on a lot of outdated theories written by Freud and Young, most of which have been discredited now.
If there's actually something wrong with someone mentally then they go to a psychiatrist. They have been to medical school so are actually doctors, and are able to diagnose and deal with mental disorders. If you aren't crazy enough to need one of those then you'd probably do just as well talking about your problems to a sweet old lady on the bus.
There's something to be said for sitting in a nice office with an impartial stranger who asks about your feelings, I suppose. That's probably therapeutic to a lot of people. So if someone can afford one and it makes them feel better then I see no harm in it.
If you can solve all your personal problems without help then yes, a therapist would be a waste for you. However, a good therapist is essential for anyone stuck in feelings or problems they can't solve by themselves and a good therapist can help people learn to deal with their own problems.
Anxiety and depression are real, not vague conditions.
Therapists are a conduit to help people, help themselves regain mental wellness, much like a gym is a conduit to physical well being. A gym membership won't get you healthy and buff, and a therapist won't get you mentally well. You have to do the work!!!
Totally normal. You are paying someone who doesn't understand your experiences to interpret them for you, and their interpretations can be quite cruel, one-sided, and unhelpful. Read the DSM sometime and ask yourself if you feel comfortable asking/paying someone to make those judgments about you. It's all based on the therapist's feelings, not yours. It doesn't help anyone but the therapist. It's lame af, total scam.
Them or GP doctors are not there to help heal anything. They are just there to push pills.
When you mentioned what you envisioned, yeah that sounds like what a lot of people would imagine.
But no, like going to any doctor, it is just a check list of questions and at the end they prescribe the latest fad medication. Professionals? Shiiiiit, any mindless idiot can ask questions then write a script.
Therapists usually just train in trying to help the patient discover their own path. Their end game is to help you refind yourself if you're struggling.
But then again, the need to see a therapist depends on the person. Many therapist might not be the *right* therapist for you, or you're one of the people with enough mental fortitude to overcome it on your own. It's up to you, but I wouldn't try to force that mindset that any mental problem can be fixed by yourself into someone else.
And mental issues are completely real, just like how Ellenna said
Thanks, yes I agree. When I went to a psychologist and psychiatrist in high school they wanted to prescribe pills instead of sorting out the core issues. What I envisioned was a kind of talk therapy where mindsets are interrogated and issues in the past brought up and dealt with. What actually happened was 40 minute sessions of them asking questions and prescribing pills at the end. At the time I thought they are the profesionals and who am I to tell them how to do their jobs. Maybe I should've?
Therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists are completely different jobs. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think a psychiatrist's job is actually to prescribe medication to help you rather than talk therapy.
Psychologists, on the other hand, focus on evaluating someone's mental health and using psychotherapy.
Therapists are what you were envisioning: talking about pasts, issues, and helping in the moment. I think what you were thinking of specifically were cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as that helps patients a lot. I'm taking a course in CBT right now, and Aaron Beck, the founder of CBT, said that oftentimes patients could get well in 10-12 weeks rather than the extensive 2-3 years!
Psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists are all very different jobs with the same end goal. I hope this helped tbh. If you're still struggling, I'd recommend seeing first a psychologist to assess your mental health, then a therapist for what you were envisioning. Of course, maybe the therapist won't be right for you and you'll have to switch, that's a possibility, but I really do think you should. It's not just wishy-washy pseudoscience.
Sorry for the late reply btw ^^
Ok let me explain better. I went to a psychologist who after a few sessions referred me to the psychiatrist. I had no idea what a psychiatrist was and that they would just give me pills. The psychologist probably figured just another pimply high schooler with anxiety, take some pills and all back to normal. The problems were much deeper and had I known better I would have asked for therapy. I wouldn't dare go to a therapist now. My pride won't let me and these people charge exorbitant fees for an intangible service- I can't afford it and won't splash money on just talking again. I'm overcoming my problems slowly by myself and prefer it that way. I want to take personal responsibility. The higher the risk the greater the reward. Anyway most of the therapy stuff is common sense.
Yes, you left to a psychiatrist after your psychologist. I understand that. A psychiatrist's job is to prescribe pills. They aren't qualified for therapy. It's not just 'all back to normal' either, as mental health professionals they know that it is a battle to get back to normal.
Why on Earth aren't you going to a therapist now? Pride has nothing to do with it. It's a good thing to go to a therapist, although again, I have to stress that it is your choice, and if you feel you would benefit from not going, that's your decision.
You said 'Anyway most of the therapy stuff is common sense' - sorry, that's false. A lot of the time, patients have what is called 'Automatic Thoughts' - thoughts that pop up into their mind saying something along the lines of 'you're worthless' or other negative things. CBT therapists teach people to evaluate and combat these negative thoughts, and it requires extensive training. It's difficult changing someone's core beliefs, and therapists are well aware of that. I would strongly recommend seeing a therapist if you can afford it. It will help if it's the right therapist.