Psychotherapy helps millions of Americans cope with and recover from trying circumstances in their life. Also known as talk therapy, it can help people understand their past and set a course for their future. People who undergo treatment do so with a trained mental health professional.
Long-term therapy has positive effects on patients and leads to a better outlook. In this environment, they are free to explore their moods, voice out their opinions, and talk about behaviors without fear of judgment. Here are some conditions that benefit from sustained talk therapy.
Depression
One of the most common mental health conditions globally, depression, is a chronic mood disorder beyond sadness or mourning. A depressed person suffers from a loss of interest in his usual activities, sleep problems, and feelings of apathy, among other things.
There are various types of depression. The most frequent diagnoses include Major Depressive Disorder, which impacts daily life; Seasonal Affective Disorder, which occurs during colder months; and Dysthymia, a mild but persistent form of MDD, lasting two years or more at a time.
Treatment for this condition involves examining causes and potential solutions to concerns. Also, the therapist must help their patient develop more helpful thought patterns and new ways of reacting.
Anxiety
People who experience clinical anxiety are constantly on edge and anticipate bad things, even when there is no reason to feel this way. It can cause social complications or isolation for the anxious person. This condition has different subtypes, like Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD, social anxiety, phobias, and selective mutism.
GAD is characterized by excessive worrying, while social anxiety is a debilitating fear of social interactions. Phobias are unusual and highly specific fears; selective mutism is a phobia where a person can speak in social situations but not others.
People with anxiety will benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them name and accept their emotions. This understanding leads to better goal-setting, which can minimize anxious feelings.
Compulsions or obsessions
These two conditions are related but not identical. On the one hand, obsessions are characterized by persistent, unwanted fixations on a topic or goal. On the other, compulsions are irrational behaviors that people feel like they must do. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD and Kleptomania are two famous examples of these conditions.
A therapist can help people who have obsessive or compulsive behaviors to view their thoughts productively. He can help them examine the causes for these beliefs and explore ways to contain their hold on the person.
Difficulties with relationships
Aside from helping people address chronic mental health concerns, psychotherapists can also provide relationship counseling. In these sessions, people can gain a different perspective on their dynamics with their loved ones. The goal here is to strengthen the bonds among people and give them the tools to develop nurturing relationships.
Conclusion
A common misconception about therapy is that it is for people undergoing a crisis. Psychotherapy gives people a way to deal with various challenging experiences. Anyone can benefit from therapy; mental health professionals are trained to provide emotional support and relief and help individuals learn how to live authentically.
Gain insights into how to start anew when you set an appointment at Therapy24x7. Our team provides affordable therapy in NYC, serving Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Upper West Side. Change old patterns and learn how to be yourself again—contact us for our clinicians’ availability, or schedule an online session today.