5 Excuses People Use to Avoid Getting Professional HelpThings Aren’t That Bad: 5 Reasons People Give to Avoid Getting Professional Help

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, but not all of them seek out professional help. In fact, nearly 60% of adults with mental illness do not seek mental health help. With a seemingly endless list of consequences, not getting help for mental illness can result in increased dependency on substances, increased risk of suicide, disruptions in your everyday life, and much more. Even though it is dangerous to avoid getting professional help, many adults still do. Below are five common excuses for avoiding therapy… and reasons to push past them. 

Common Excuses to Avoid Therapy

#1: “Things Aren’t as Bad as They Seem.”

Even if you’re dealing with a myriad of mental health-related issues, it’s very common for you to tell yourself and others that things are really not that bad. This excuse is often used when other individuals in your life point out differences in your behavior or notice you are going through a difficult time. Even though you are showing noticeable changes in your normal self, saying things are not as bad as they seem is an excuse that seeks to diminish those concerns. But this excuse suggests a “tough it out” attitude about mental health issues, which often doesn’t lead you out of those issues, but merely allows them to persist. You don’t have to suffer alone. 

#2: “Therapy Is Too Expensive.”

A common concern and excuse for avoiding professional help is the cost of therapy. Yes, therapy can be expensive, but not always. Depending on several cost factors, insurance may make it more affordable than you realize. Some therapists offer sliding scale rates, meaning that they have room in their practice for clients who need discounted rates. There may also be affordable and accessible mental health services in your area, just waiting to be explored. 

#3: “I Don’t Need Therapy.”

Sometimes we view professional help as a luxury or something that should only be used by people who suffer from seemingly “worse” mental health conditions than whatever we’re dealing with. The truth is, most mental health issues that adults experience are not considered severe at first, but they can become dangerous if left unattended. For example, mild depression or anxiety, left to fester, can grow into major depressive disorder. Seeking professional help can help you get your symptoms under control before they become overwhelming or dangerous. 

It’s important to note as well that constantly living in state of stress, depression, or anxiety can actually do a lot of harm to your everyday life. You don’t have to “hit rock bottom” for your struggle to be worthy of attention and care. You matter, your quality of life matters, and pursuing your own mental health is worthy no matter how things are going.

Keep in mind the ripple effects of learning better coping mechanisms, healthier ways of interacting, a strong self-image, and direction in personal growth over time. Learning to fight better with your partner, replacing your negative self-image with a positive one, or recovering from childhood trauma are treasures that you will take into every day for the rest of your life.

#4: “I Don’t Know Where to Start.”

If you don’t know where to start in seeking professional help, there are two great places to go. If you have an insurance carrier, you should start by calling them. The number of your insurance provider can usually be found on the back of your insurance card. You can learn more about your coverage for services and receive recommendations about covered professional help in your area directly from them. The second option is to look at an online directory of therapists. Here, you can find a list of therapists in your area who are ready to help.

#5: “I’m Too Busy.”

We all know that life can get busy, and it can seem like we do not have time to spare. This can feel especially true when we’re considering something we do not really feel excited about. But making time to get professional help is worth it. With the support of a therapist, you can learn to manage your mental illness, pursue personal growth in a way that frees you to be your best self, and let go of things that just aren’t serving you. There is always time for that. 

It Is Time to Get Professional Help 

No matter your situation, if you’re struggling with your mental health, you should seek professional help. To learn more about a therapist in your area who is ready to help you, click here.

A young woman is sleeping on a laptop with a heap of books on her head.With greater access to treatment, more people find they can take on the monumental venture of earning a degree. Yet once they are in school, their risk of mental health problems increases. Graduate students in particular may struggle to manage school, finances, and self-care. The combined stress can be devastating to mental well-being.

The American Psychological Association says the need for mental health care on campuses is increasing. A 2015-2016 report from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health surveyed college counseling centers across America. The report showed an increase in student hospitalization, medication use, and suicide. More than 55% of the centers saw increases in salary budgets to meet demands for care. But some clinics still face challenges in meeting students’ needs. They may have limited hours of service or high costs of care.

Meanwhile, almost a third of PhD candidates may be at risk for mental health concerns. Around 34% of graduate students may already experience moderate to severe depression.

[fat_widget_right]

Researchers continue to study the specific differences between undergraduate and graduate students’ health. Further surveys may determine how to improve psychological care for each population. The goal is to promote mental well-being in colleges and universities.

Risk Factors for Mental Health Concerns in Grad School

Some populations are more at risk of developing mental health concerns. As the population of graduate students grows more diverse, so do mental health needs. Minority and international students may need help with multicultural issues. LGBTQ+ students can also face discrimination.

These populations can benefit from seeking mental health treatment on campus. Yet not all students may feel represented at their school’s counseling center. Around 71% of counseling center staff members are white. The number of openly LGBTQ+ counselors is limited. Counseling centers could better serve minority students by hiring more diverse staff.

Another risk factor is academic performance. Students who feel they are behind in their classes are more likely to report stress and anxiety. The Graduate Assembly of University of California, Berkeley rates academic performance as one of the top three predictors of depression in graduate students.

Yet catching up may be easier said than done. Many graduate students have responsibilities outside school such as childcare or employment. In a 2014 survey, graduate students cited job outlook, financial stress, loneliness, and alienation from mentors as contributing factors to depression and negative well-being.

Graduate students can help improve mental health outcomes by learning what signs to watch for. Any of the following symptoms may indicate a larger mental health concern:

How Grad Students Can Use Counseling Centers

Psychological care addresses diagnoses that affect students as well as the general population. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals cope with anger or anxiety. Acceptance and commitment therapy can help busy students focus on their priorities.

Graduate students are a population with unique mental health needs.

Counseling centers can also introduce students to alternative treatments to complement traditional therapies. Some therapists might assign internet-based worksheets to help reprogram harmful thoughts. Others may direct students to mindfulness practices like yoga.

Treatment can be especially helpful for students whose diagnoses impact learning. When a survey asked students if campus counseling services helped with their academic performance, over 70% answered positively. These results suggest counseling can help both mental health concerns and academic issues.

Preventing Mental Health Issues During Grad School

Self-care practices like sleep and exercise can promote more positive mental health outcomes. Students who limit their schedules and have a social life have less risk for burnout. Experts encourage students to find a therapist before their symptoms become overwhelming.

There are several ways graduate schools can reduce students’ risks of mental health concerns. Schools can accommodate students’ schedules, aid their career preparations, and improve campus mental health care. Schools can also help by educating students about time management and self-care. Close mentorship is also linked to improved mental health and academic outcomes. Academic advisors are particularly helpful for international students.

Graduate students are a population with unique mental health needs. If schools improve their campus mental health care, they can not only lower the rate of mental health concerns, but also promote academic success. Mental health care on campus can improve all aspects of graduate student life.

Lifelines and Further Resources

Resources:

  1. Barry, K. M., Woods, M., Warnecke, E., Stirling, C., & Martin, A. (2018, January 19). Psychological health of doctoral candidates, study-related challenges and perceived performance. Higher Education Research & Development, 1-16. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07294360.2018.1425979?journalCode=cher20
  2. Bershad, C., Reetz, D. R., LeViness, P., & Whitlock, M. (2016). The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors annual survey. Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors. Retrieved from https://taucccd.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/aucccd%202016%20monograph%20-%20public.pdf
  3. Butler, A. C., Chapman, J. E., Forman, E. M., & Beck, A. T. (2006). The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(1), 17-31. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735805001005
  4. Campus Mental Health. (n.d.). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/advocacy/higher-education/mental-health/index.aspx
  5. Dyrbye, L. N., Thomas, M. R., & Shanafelt, T. D. (2006). Systematic review of depression, anxiety, and other indicators of psychological distress among U.S. and Canadian medical students. Academic Medicine, 81(4), 354-373. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/2006/04000/Systematic_Review_of_Depression,_Anxiety,_and.9.aspx
  6. Eisenberg, D., Downs, M. F., Golberstein, E., & Zivin, K. (2009, May 19). Stigma and help seeking for mental health among college students. Medical Care Research and Review, 66(5), 522-541. Retrieved from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1077558709335173
  7. Graduate Student Happiness and Well-Being Report. (2014). Graduate Assembly of University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved from http://ga.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/wellbeingreport_2014.pdf
  8. Grappling with graduate student mental health and suicide. (2017, August 7). Chemical and Engineering News. Retrieved from https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i32/Grappling-graduate-student-mental-health.html
  9. Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 169-183. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-05835-004
  10. Hyun, J., Quinn, B., Madon, T., & Lustig, S. (2007). Mental health need, awareness, and use of counseling services among international graduate students. Journal of American College Health, 56(2), 109-118. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3200/jach.56.2.109-118
  11. Ickes, M. J., Brown, J., Reeves, B., & Martin, P. D. (2015). Differences between undergraduate and graduate students in stress and coping strategies. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 13(1), 13-25. Retrieved from http://www.cjhp.org/volume13Issue1_2015/documents/13-25_Formatted_Ickes_CJHP2015_Issue1.pdf
  12. Karyotaki, E., Riper, H., Twisk, J., Hoogendoorn, A., Kleiboer, A., Mira, A., … & Andersson, G. (2017). Efficacy of self-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis of individual participant data. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(4), 351-359. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2604310?redirect=true
  13. Levecque, K., Anseel, F., De Beuckelaer, A., Van der Heyden, J., & Gisle, L. (2017). Work organization and mental health problems in PhD students. Research Policy, 46(4), 868-879. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048733317300422?via%3Dihub
  14. More and more students need mental health services. But colleges struggle to keep up. (2017, May 4). USA Today. Retrieved from http://college.usatoday.com/2017/05/04/more-and-more-students-need-mental-health-services-but-colleges-struggle-to-keep-up
  15. Why do so many graduate students quit? (2016, July 6). The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/why-do-so-many-graduate-students-quit/490094
Important Notice

GoodTherapy is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, or therapy. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition. Never disregard professional psychological or medical advice nor delay in seeking professional advice or treatment because of something you have read on GoodTherapy.