NikiCade
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Re:Is coming for therapy a strength or a weakness? - 2008/02/21 05:20
I went to therapy after spending a year in and out of a mental hospital (I was 16) and it really helped me out. It really wasn't a matter of being ashamed because it was really a life or death situation. I was going to kill myself or go to therapy, so I chose the smarter if the options.
Now, on to the reason why that came in handy. My girlfriend was abused most of her life and had most of the problems that goes along with that. She's un-trusting, apathetic, nervous, has both an eating disorder and an anxiety disorder and is severely depressed. Since we've started dating two and a half years ago I've been trying to convince her to go to therapy. Now she's actually taking a step and getting free over the phone counseling. I'm so happy for her, but she's so scared because all her life her family has taught her that admitting your problems and getting help is a sign of weakness.
Not only is that mindset hurting her, but it's hurting me too because according to that idea, I'm weak for getting help that saved my life. She knows she's wrong when it comes to the idea that those who seek therapy are weak, because it's simply not true. It's her family that's doing it. I think that if someone is putting pressure on you or someone you care about it means that they're not looking out for that persons best interest. Seeking counseling is difficult, but sometimes it's something that is really required.
What I was like before I got counseling is something I never want to experience again. I had an eating disorder, severe chronic depression, an anxiety disorder, and I was being treated (medication wise) with schizophrenia. I know my girlfriend will refuse medication, so counseling is really the only thing she has. I'm here for her as much as I can be, but I'm really just one person. Since I'm the only person she feels that she can rely on, I'm under a lot of pressure. Now that she's talking to someone I really hope to see her improve. I want to see her eating again, sleeping without having nightmares, crying with an understandable reason, I want to see her happy with confidence in who she is.
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