Sydney
Professional Help
It takes tenacity to seek professional help when you feel like the weight of the world is bearing down on your shoulders. We’re often raised to be fiercely independent and stand on our own two feet, anything less is a sign of weakness. Maybe you’re worried your friends and family will see you as a failure, thinking you should be able to simple get on with things and deal with the cards life has dealt you. Seeking support is not a character flaw. It takes real strength to realise your inadequacies and reach out. Mental health is just as important as physical health. You wouldn’t just suck it up and get on with life if you were mid-cardiac arrest. No, you’d get help immediately. And mental health issues shouldn’t be regarded as any less serious.
The longer mental health issues are ignored, the more dangerous it becomes. Self-medicating with drugs and alcohol only temporarily numbs the problem. Once the hangover has worn off, the feelings you are suppressing will still be there.
There is a misconception that you are stronger if you can deal with your issues alone, but mental health issues wreak havoc with your perception of reality, and interfere with your ability to function normally. If you don’t feel like you want to talk to a professional, talk to a close family member or friend who you trust.
Benefits of seeking support
Talking out loud, even if it sounds ridiculous, can help you get to the root of what’s causing you to feel this way. Friends and family may not be equipped with the skills to support you in the way you need. They may be can be quite opinionated and full of unsolicited advice. This may detrimental in some cases, especially when you are simply looking for a sounding board and unbiased guidance. Turning to a professional therapist will benefit you in ways you ever imagined possible, and you may be surprised at how good it feels to talk without any judgement.