How going to therapy helps the whole family

When you decide to find a therapist in Central London or anywhere else you might be in the world; you are taking a huge step for the better.

Working on improving your mental health has many positive consequences. Your mental health and any possible issues you might be going through don’t impact just you. 

A study has demonstrated that more than two-thirds of people suffering from a mental health-related issue also have troubles in their social life. Most notably, mental health problems harm the family. Fortunately, once you go into therapy, you can work on those relationships and improve them. 

Here is how going to therapy helps the whole family.

Family and you – a two-way connection  

Your family is potentially the most valuable asset on your journey to mental wellbeing. Conversely, when you are not doing fine, it negatively affects those around you, most notably your family.

A person suffering from anxiety or depression or a more severe mental health issue might be more responsive to treatment with a stable and supportive family. A healthy and functional family means compassion and support, both emotional and financial, which a person with mental health issues needs to thrive.

On the other hand, negative family relationships add an extra bit of stress to the person in need. Such an environment might cause a person’s symptoms to worsen and even add some physical symptoms to the mental ones.

Because of all of this, a healthy family is a cornerstone for a healthy and happy individual.

Mental health and family life 

Mental health issues can be complicated for kids to deal with. Young children can not fully understand what is going on with someone going through a mental health crisis.

All they see is that someone they love is behaving strangely and unpredictably. Some kids might become introverted due to this, while others might even think that they are the ones to blame. 

Either way, unattended mental health issues can harm the children in your family too. That is why going to therapy is the right step for your well-being and those around you. 

If a person has severe mental health issues that need constant care, this might make life more complicated for all the family members involved. Caregivers report that they had to give up their hobbies and free time and that their social life overall was negatively impacted by having to look after someone hurt by mental health problems.

With proper therapy and medication, this problem can go away. Unfortunately, untreated mental health issues put a significant strain on family relationships. But once you find a therapist that suits you and start working on those issues, you will see your life – and the lives of those around you – will gradually begin to change for the better and return to normal.

How therapy makes things better 

Even if you have a perfect family that is always there for you and willing to support you no matter what, keep in mind that even your loved ones have their limits.

According to a Swedish study, almost half of the people that had someone close to them suffering from a mental health illness have developed some kind of mental health issue themselves – such as depression or trouble with sleeping – so much so that they also needed help from a therapist or another mental health professional.

On the other side of the equation, we have people who want to help those around them who suffer but cannot do so. Those people struggle with anxiety and the feeling of guilt, anger, or confusion. Once again, they need help from a mental health professional, and the circle continues.

Once you get into therapy, your family won’t be your only safety net. Instead, you will have a skilled therapist by your side, someone who is able and willing to help you. That alone will take a massive load off your family and help them be healthier and happier individuals as well.

Your family, therapy, and you – what you can do 

Once you go into therapy and establish a relationship with your therapist, you will notice that you are much better equipped to deal with the stress of everyday life and its problems. You will also learn how to communicate better and express and handle your emotions, no matter how positive or negative they might be.

You must communicate with your family. Some people tend to shut their families off once they realize that they have a mental health issue. Others actively try to isolate themselves from their loved ones out of fear or shame. Do not do that. Whatever you do, make an effort to keep your family in the loop. If they know what you are going through and how you experience the world around you, they will be more capable of helping you.