Discover the Hidden Advantages of Regular Therapy, Even Without Mental Distress

2023-11-12 08:00:22

Why Booking A Therapy Session Can Be Rewarding Even If You’re Feeling Fine

On the whole, life has been treating me kindly. I navigate through the inevitable health ups and downs and reside amidst the ebbs and flows of the UK's political scene. No, I'm not at a full 100%, but comparatively speaking, I'm doing well.

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My home is a shared space of love with my partner and our four feline friends. Fortunate to be encircled by wonderful friends, fulfilling work, and a family in good spirits, my days are laced with gratitude. Despite the smooth sailing, I recently took an important step for my mental wellbeing.

Not long ago, I committed to a mental health MOT - akin to a routine dental check-up but for my mind. With a history of generalized anxiety disorder, traumatic experiences, and intermittent depression, actively managing my mental health is as critical to me as keeping up with physical check-ups.

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Sometimes, We're Not Doing As Well As We Believe

My latest therapy session was indicative of the fact that my sense of wellbeing wasn't as grounded as I'd presumed. While discussing an impending surgical procedure—a serious yet low-risk operation—I realized my calm exterior masked a deep-seated fear of the unknown aspects surrounding it.

I had been dismissing my fears, preferring to focus on the positives like the considerable time I'd been awaiting treatment against a relatively short, six-week recovery. Humor became my shield, and I joked about my apprehension, trying to dismiss it as dramatic overreaction.

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The response from my counsellor was a compassionate but firm rebuttal of my self-mocking tendencies, "You're allowed to feel whatever you feel without wrapping it in shame." The revelation struck a chord with me; humor, paired with shame, had become my coping mechanism, a way to use levity in the face of adversity.

These feelings of anger towards my health conditions, frustration over the delayed surgery, and the struggle since youth culminated in unexpected tears during what was supposed to be a routine check-in.

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In trying to shield my loved ones from my pain, I defaulted to humor. This phenomenon, of using humor as an emotional defense, is noted by Psych Central as an "emotion-focused" coping strategy, aiming to manage or soften the blow of stressful emotions.

Talking to Patient UK, Claire Brummell points out that while humor can be a useful tool during tough situations, it's the acknowledgment and processing of our real emotions that contribute to genuine healing. "Dark humour can be funny and uplift our spirits, but overdoing it to a point where we push people away and refuse to accept what we’re going through, that can cause issues,” she adds.

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However, my session underscored a crucial fact – I am loved and valued, and there's no need to dilute my experiences for the sake of others. This sentiment is echoed by vulnerability expert Brené Brown, who states in her book Women & Shame: "We desperately don’t want to experience shame, and we’re not willing to talk about it... Yet the only way to resolve shame is to talk about it."

A Session That Carried More Impact Than Anticipated

Engaging in a heartfelt conversation about myself left me both uneasy and unburdened. Like peeling back layers, the interaction with my counsellor forced me to confront parts of myself I typically veiled with a casual 'I'm OK.'

The vulnerability felt heavy, as if my deepest secrets were laid bare in a mere 80 minutes. Yet, this vulnerability also brought about a sense of release and connection. It was a profound reminder that I wasn't as isolated as I had convinced myself to be.

The aftermath leaves me considering the future of my therapy sessions. Uncertain as I may be about this newfound openness, recognition of my complexity is undeniably a breakthrough. Reflecting on this experience, the mental check has proven itself to be more than just a routine exercise – it has been a deeply transformative encounter.

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