Tuesday, 26 Dec 2017
Every human has mental health difficulties
By Dr Becky Spelman
When you’re struggling with mental health, it’s easy to think that you’re alone. But at some point in their life every human has mental health difficulties and with the right support and treatment, it is possible to overcome the challenges to live a fulfilling and satisfying life.
Research shows that one in four people suffer with mental health difficulties in a more chronic way, significantly affecting their lives. Mental health issues are often highly complex and can be challenging to overcome, even when professional support is sought. But why do so many people suffer with anxiety, stress, OCD, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges?
Recognising mental health difficulties
Firstly, it’s important to recognise that it’s very human to suffer psychologically. As social animals that are compassionate and understand emotion, it’s very easy for mental or emotional pain to occur for a whole host of reasons. As people we also have emotional needs, when they aren’t met it’s possible for mental health difficulties to occur. Throughout our lives there are points when we all experience psychological pain in some way or another, but some people are better equipped to handle and deal with the pain. For others, the mental health difficulties can linger and be difficult to move past, resulting in it having a negative effect on other aspects of their life, from work to relationships.
Treatment
While every situation and individual is different, there are some key ways that mental health difficulties can be managed. This is often done through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Also known as the talking treatment, it helps to change the way you think and behave to encompass healthier outcomes. While highly effective, it’s vital to note that CBT doesn’t eliminate your suffering – we’re afraid that occasional emotional pain is simply part of being human – instead it helps you improve the way you cope with it and supports you in moving forward.
Who can I speak to about mental health difficulties?
Mental health difficulties shouldn’t be ignored and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to seek support if you need it. Often the first step to moving forward is to recognise that you need help. Here at the Private Therapy Clinic, we provide bespoke treatment options to our patients across a wide range of both common and uncommon mental health difficulties. You can contact one of our therapists to discover how we can help you too.
