Cracking Down On The Myths Surrounding Mental Health Treatments

Mental health treatments are still relatively unknown, at least when compared with other health treatments. The average person will understand where they need to go if they’ve got a chronic stomach ache or persistent headache, but the same can’t be said for mental health conditions. As a result, this spawns a wave of myths and misconceptions that spread across the internet like wildfire. 

In turn, this creates a sizeable problem because people misinterpret or misunderstand some of the basic facts surrounding mental health treatment. Myths may force individuals to avoid seeking help – which is utterly terrible. That’s why today’s post will show you some of the biggest myths on this topic, revealing the truth once and for all. 

Myth 1: Treatment is only necessary for extreme cases

There is a really damaging myth that leads people to believe mental health treatment is only essential for extreme cases. For example, you only require assistance if you have a severe mental disorder that’s causing you to hallucinate, act out of character, or put other people in danger. People tend to think about individuals with extreme bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in this context. 

In reality, this is not true. Anyone will benefit from mental health treatment, regardless of how severe their condition is. Your depression or anxiety might not feel like a huge issue, but it can weigh on you and develop into something more serious. Get treatment early on to manage your condition and prevent it from spiralling. 

Treatment is not only for extreme cases; it’s for anyone with a mental health condition. 

Myth 2: You can’t pay for mental health treatment with insurance

The financial barrier gets in the way of some individuals seeking mental health treatment. It stems from the idea that you can’t pay for mental health treatments with a regular health insurance plan. Again, that’s a complete myth – all marketplace insurance plans cover mental health and substance abuse services. 

You will have issues paying for mental health treatment, and it can often be more affordable than regular health treatment anyway. It’s arguably more accessible, too – anyone can find online therapy that takes insurance with a quick Google search nowadays. You’re then in a position to get the assistance you need from the comfort of your home. 

Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t pay for mental health treatment with insurance. It is entirely possible and mental health help is readily available for those in need. 

Myth 3: Medication is the only viable solution

Medication is a viable treatment option for mental health conditions, but claiming that it’s the only option is false. Many people will see great success after taking different medications – though it all depends on a) the individual, and b) their specific mental health concerns. 

There’s a definite fear that seeking treatment means you’ll be put on medication, which is a big factor in so many people avoiding treatment in the first place. Nobody like the idea of depending on meds to make them feel better – and that’s a completely legitimate concern. 

The critical thing here is that it doesn’t need to be something you worry about. As mentioned above, online therapy is a thing – as are other types of therapies. Medication is not the only viable solution, and thousands of people see improvements in their mental health by seeking other treatment options. Some people will swear by CBT because it helps them rethink things and generate a new perspective on life. Others believe that simply opening up and talking about their problems is the best solution. 

Medication is not the only viable solution. It could be what works best for you, but don’t discount the other, equally beneficial, treatment options available. 

Myth 4: If you don’t see immediate results, it doesn’t work

This myth coincides with the previous one because people who take medication often report fairly immediate results. That’s because of how the medication interacts with their hormones – but it also leads people to believe that any treatment without immediate results won’t work. 

Commonly, this happens with therapy. Someone will go to a therapy session, open up about how they’re feeling, and leave with a sour taste in their mouth because they don’t feel any different. Mental health treatment isn’t always instant. Some people feel a huge weight lift when they talk about their problems for the first time – others only see the benefits after several treatments. 

The same applies to all the other forms of mental health treatment; if you don’t see immediate results, that doesn’t mean the treatment won’t work. It’s all about trying different things and being consistent – that’s how you discover what works for you, and something will work. 

Myth 5: Mental health treatment never ends

It’s funny how different myths create a snowball effect that leads to other myths being created. We’ve just spoken about sticking with your mental health treatment and avoiding a reliance on immediate results. Ironically, some people take that to mean you’re stuck getting treatment forever. 

Once more, that’s not true. While you can continue with mental health treatment for your whole life, you don’t necessarily have to. Everyone should reach a stage where they feel comfortable in their mental health after undergoing treatment. The treatments you seek are designed to help you manage your daily symptoms and deal with your mental health conditions. You can’t “cure” depression or anxiety – it will always exist, but you decide how to react to it. 

This won’t mean you’re constantly booking therapy sessions your whole life, or taking prescription medication. The goal is always to reach a point where you can manage your mental health without relying on other things. 

To conclude: don’t fall for these five mental health treatment myths. Believing just one of them can force you to make bad decisions for your mental well-being. All you need to know is that various mental health treatment options exist, insurance plans cover them, and you have total freedom in using them for as long as you wish.