The Danger of Not Seeking Help for Your Mental Health
By Jasmine Clark, Live Well Enhance You Contributing Writer
If you had a physical illness that persistently made you feel bad and you didn’t know what to do about it, you’d go to the doctor. But if you had a mental illness, would you do the same?
About one in five adults in the US experience a mental illness each year, which means there’s a real possibility that you could be one of those affected. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or something else, it’s important to get the help you need instead of trying to handle it on your own.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but many people don’t treat it that way – and that can be dangerous. As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, it’s time to ask yourself if you’re really giving your mental health the attention it deserves.
Stuffing down your feelings
There are some people who are persistently bothered by negative emotions, but they stuff their feelings down and try to convince themselves “It’s not so bad” and “It’s no big deal.” They don’t think their problem is bad enough to tell anyone about, so they go on about their daily lives, hoping they’ll feel better soon.
If this describes you, this may be why you haven’t reached out to anyone about your mental health. You don’t think there’s much of a problem, so you don’t see why you should talk to anyone. But if it were really “no big deal,” you wouldn’t keep thinking about it. You wouldn’t have to keep trying to convince yourself that you’re okay.
Don’t downplay and ignore your emotions. Pay attention to how you’re feeling. If something’s upsetting or confusing you and the thoughts keep coming back again and again, talk to a family member, friend, or another trusted person.
Fear of looking “weak”
A lot of people believe if they tell someone that their mental health is in a bad place, it means they’re “weak.” They don’t want their friends and family to think they’re “crazy.” They want others to see them as strong, calm, and in control, so they don’t let anyone know they’re struggling with their mental health.
People in this situation know that there’s a problem with their mental health, but they don’t want to tell anyone. They don’t even want to tell their doctor. They’re afraid of being judged, so they stay silent. This judgment is known as the mental illness stigma.
The truth is, seeking help is a strong thing to do. Seeking help shows that you take your mental health seriously and you want to take action to improve your life. People who would make fun of you for talking about your mental health aren’t your true friends to begin with. A true friend would show compassion and kindness!
When seeking help goes wrong
Speaking of compassion and kindness, you may have tried to get help from someone and they did not give you those things. You may have talked to a family member who got mad at you, a “friend” who laughed at you, or a therapist who treated you coldly. If this has happened to you, it makes sense that you’re hesitant to seek help again.
But trying to handle everything by yourself won’t help you in the long run. When you keep your emotions to yourself and try to force yourself to get over it, it doesn’t really work. It’s crucial to have people to talk to who can give you the love and care you deserve. Reaching out to someone was the right decision; it was just with the wrong person. Maybe they’re dealing with their own struggles and, unfortunately, chose to take that out on you.
Seek help again, but take time to heal first. Practice self-care by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, spending time in nature, listening to music, and doing other things that can boost your mood even a little bit. If you want, journal about your feelings so you can have an outlet to express yourself. Someone treated you badly when you were already at a low point, and that hurt you. Your feelings matter, so be sure to take time to heal!
Why you shouldn’t handle it alone
If you’re experiencing any kind of problem with your mental health, keeping it a secret and trying to handle it alone isn’t the best solution. You are one person with one perspective, and when your mental health is in a bad place, your perspective of life and the world around you is distorted. You need other people’s perspectives to help you move into a different way of thinking.
When you keep everything to yourself, you’re likely to get stuck in that distorted perspective, leading to more negative thoughts and painful emotions. This can cause you to fall into unhealthy habits that cause more damage to your mental health and even your physical health.
On the other hand, if you reach out to others for help, you can have a dramatic turnaround. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may need therapy or medication, or talking with family and friends could make all the difference. There are even online communities that can help.
The way you seek help for your mental health is up to you, and no one else can make these decisions except you. It starts with a decision to love yourself – and loving yourself means taking good care of yourself, including your mental health. Bottling up your emotions and pretending you’re okay is not the answer. It’s okay not to be okay, so take action and talk to someone about your mental health.
Mental Health Self-Assessment - Anxiety & Depression Association of America
National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine
Find a Therapist - Psychology Today
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
HelpGuide.org Suicide Prevention Information
Jasmine Clark is a freelance writer from North Carolina. She enjoys writing about topics such as stress relief and positive thinking. She likes to encourage others to find ways to calm down and relax. In her spare time, she loves to write fiction stories and watch TV and YouTube. You can find her on Instagram @cozysachi.