What to do when mental health treatment isn’t working?
Has it been months since you started therapy, yet you don’t see any positive results? Are you having a hard time opening up to your therapist? Have you been missing too many of your appointments lately and unable to commit to your therapy? Do you fear being judged by your therapist? Do you feel as if your therapist is unable to reason with you? Do you feel more confused, stuck, angry, in a state of paradox after a session with your therapist? If you are familiar with these situations, perhaps your therapy hasn’t worked as effectively as you had anticipated. Fear not because you are not alone in this dilemma.
Often at times, more serious mental illnesses, such as PTSD or schizophrenia require more than just a few appointments to a psychologist/psychiatrist. Say, for instance, you had asthma and your first medication didn’t work out, do you give up easily and let your lungs hold you back from enjoying a nice stroll in a park with your child? No, right? You don’t do the same with therapy either. If your therapy has failed you, you should explore other options before quitting or changing the therapist.
First and foremost, you must speak to your therapist regarding your feelings about the ongoing therapy. There are different types of medicines for different medical conditions. Similarly, PTSD will not be treated in the same manner as an eating disorder. Talking to your therapist may help him/her change the course of therapy and opt for one that is more suitable to you.
You can always book an appointment with another mental health expert. When visiting a new therapist, do not forget to take along a list of queries on your first session. It will be a great start if the therapist transmits confidence and he is willing to address all your questions openly.
You may also want to try other kinds of therapy along with your traditional talk therapy. You may want to go for dance therapy or art therapy to help you relax and declutter your mind. These kinds of therapies are often more stimulating and require greater engagement than going to a psychologist and talking about feelings.
Moreover, you can consult with a nutritionist or a wellness coach to help you bring lifestyle changes, for instance in your diet, sleeping schedule, planning out your days, meditation, or other physical activities you normally partake in.
Therapy issues may be resolved if you change your approach regarding therapy. This means that you may have to change the timings, days, or frequency of your therapy. You may be unable to commit to therapy because you have been worried about household chores or may not have slept well through the night which can deter an effective conversation with your therapist. Once you change your therapy routine, the process continues the same as before.
If your notice that your therapy isn’t working, it is a cue that an intervention is obligatory. It is paramount to not hold back on voicing your concerns if you want to get better. Thus, you should be honest about who you are and what kind of help you think works best for you.
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