People share the most useful thing they've learned in therapy to help those who can't afford it
One Twitter user decided to open up a discussion about the benefits of therapy, urging their followers to share some insight that all of us could gain from.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on August 6, 2021. It has since been updated.
When the weight of the world gets too much to handle it is best to talk to someone about it. While talking to friends and family may help, it would be best to reach out to a professional who can help you navigate the emotions you are feeling. Unfortunately, there is a lot of stigma and misinformation surrounding mental illness, and even if one overcomes that, there is a financial barrier that many cannot. As for those who can afford to go to therapy, they have been able to confirm its benefits. According to the American Psychological Association, about 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit.
"I think that a lot of people feel like if they start therapy, that means something's wrong with them and other people might look at them differently," Lori Gottlieb, a psychotherapist, advice columnist, and author of the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone told NPR. Pahoua Yang, vice president of community mental health and wellness at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation had this to say about going to therapy: "I think of seeing a therapist as just getting a second opinion about what you're doing. And then you can decide from there."
One Twitter user decided to open up a discussion about the benefits of therapy. Madimoiselle on Twitter urged their followers to share some of the things they learned in therapy that all of us could gain some insight from. Even though we all have different stories, some advice is universal and could be exactly the thing you were hoping to hear. The tweet received more than 12k replies and the internet gained that much more insight into mental well-being. While this is in no way a substitute for professional help, here are some of the best responses the tweet got:
1.
I think this is a really under-recognized dynamic in a lot of adult mental health issues.
— Timon (@randocynic) July 25, 2021
2.
You can't fill from an empty cup. Give yourself time to refill your own cup before trying to go fill others.
— 🦋☀TheLadyRum☀🦋 (@TheLadyRum) July 25, 2021
3.
Do what works for YOU without worrying about what society says you “should”. Brush your teeth at 2pm, run the dishwasher twice, eat canned vegetables, make minute rice. Whatever you need to do to take as good of care of yourself as you can manage!
— Jess (@gojello) July 25, 2021
4.
5.
trying something that doesn’t work out doesn’t mean you’re stupid for trying, it just means that didn’t work and you can try again or try something new.
— dr. girlfriend (@urchaoticgf) July 25, 2021
6.
I used to be so tense all the time that my body just felt like it ached everywhere. My therapist taught me the importance of being mindful of where I’m tense and how to let go. Progressive Muscle Relaxation has done wonders for me. pic.twitter.com/4RUVXagnIV
— Jasmín . . ☾ (@BigMammaJay) July 27, 2021
7.
You're not a perfectionist, you're insecure about how your best effort will be received.
— Dhanum K. Nursigadoo (@_dhanum) July 25, 2021
8.
Whenever you find yourself getting particularly upset about something and can’t quite figure out why, ask yourself “how old do I feel right now?” It might help you realize if it’s linked to a situation/trauma earlier in your life that you can try to work on healing.
— chloë🧃 (@chloeevansj) July 26, 2021
9.
You’re never spending time by yourself, you’re spending time with yourself. You are good enough to spend time with, even if it’s just you.
— Dillon (@dilpickle08) July 26, 2021
10.
No matter who it sounds like, you are the mean voice in your head. So with practice, you can eventually stop saying those things to yourself. And when that voice is quieter, there’s a lot more room for joy, creation, gratitude and love. For yourself and everyone.
— kg (@gainesberries) July 26, 2021
11.
I’ve heard that your first thought is what you were taught to think and your second thought is what you actually think. Helps to separate from bad patterns you learned growing up or from an abuser.
— soft swerve 🍦 (@strippersauce) July 26, 2021
12.
!! Don’t keep yourself sad because you feel like you’re not allowed happiness. We deserve it and it’s ok to laugh and have fun. Don’t keep yourself in this box that you’re only allowed pain as punishment. You’re a good person, you’ve made ppl smile and love and that’s beautiful
— 𝙏𝙯 𝙩𝙝𝙚 🍯🐝 (@lowriderslug_) July 25, 2021
13.
Remind yourself the thoughts that are making you feel worse are JUST thoughts and many of them aren’t real things that are happening it’s j a fake conclusion you have created. Also, learning what thoughts are “thought traps” can rlly help manage your anxiety.
— Macy💋 (@macybowles11) July 25, 2021
14.
“not everyone is making a cameo in your movie. They’re the lead in their own and will act according to not only their own wants and needs, but also their history/trauma. You are not central to every story, so not everything that people do or say, or how they react, is about you.”
— Spanky McDutcherson 🔸 (@thatdutchperson) July 26, 2021
15.
you have the ability to change any situation in the moment. if YOU change your own reactions, the situation, in return, is bound to change. i think abt this often when i’m fighting w my bf over something stupid. “i have the ability to change the outcome of this so i’m going to”
— 🦖 (@babym992) July 25, 2021
16.
Such a game-changer!! So many people I’ve worked with ricochet between “threat” and “drive,” and have never learned internal self-soothing skills.
— ✨wren✨ (@wrengee) July 27, 2021
Instead, many have a drive towards external soothing and this is where addiction, codependency, obsession, and overwork come in.
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