Is going to a therapist as a preventative measure rather than for a specific issue a good idea?

Question

I don't have any major issues to discuss but I often feel like I want someone to talk to that is a little more impartial than a friend or parent. I DO tell my best friend a lot, but not everything. I don't get along good with my parents. I'm 19 and I have a stressful job and go to college, sometimes I get panic attacks. But no real issues to discuss. I just feel like I need some real impartial advice sometimes. I have normal things, like stress and friend and man problems just like everyone else, maybe a bit of an issue with my mom.

Would it be ok/acceptable/a good idea to go to a therapist? It's covered by my insurance so money wouldn't be a problem, but will a therapist lead me to believe I have all sorts of mental issues? Is there a better option?

Answer 1

I don't think it is a bad idea at all to visit a therapist for a chat/consultation/discussion about what one thinks (or is going through) mentally or emotionally.

Sometimes, the best solution for most of the "issues" is to have a free, open-minded talk with a person who is trustworthy, and is qualified (in this case, a therapist, by virtue of his professional qualification). A good friend qualifies also, but then, the good friend has to be a really good friend to offer objective, rational, and wise insights.

Also, do ensure that you decide to visit a good therapist who can give you quality time and is not hurried for the sake of attending to you and earning his fees.

Hope all that's vexing you passes out nicely!

Answer 2

Definitely go to a counsellor for help with normal issues, especially if you have a plan that covers the service.  You will have to check with your plan for a list of counsellors registered with them in order for them to pay.  Counselling is very beneficial for whatever life issues you are dealing with.  A counsellor will help you develop strategies for dealing with your panic attacks, and will be able to help you with the issues you have with your parents.  

Another equally important option is to talk to your family doctor.  You may benefit from a trial of medication.  You may not need it, but your family doctor is trained to help with mental health issues too and can probably steer you in the direction of a good therapist.

You have an open-minded, proactive approach, and that is in your favour.  Good luck!

Answer 3

It's perfectly acceptable for you to go to a therapist if *you* want to, because you're an adult and can do what you want!

Aside from that, panic attacks are definitely a good reason to go, and the sort of thing therapists can really help with if you get a good one.

You're correct to be concerned about whether the therapist will aggravate or help with your worries, but for that, you just need to shop around - don't be afraid to check out several therapists, and go with the one that wants to help you, not diagnose you.

Finally, as an exercise (and a good therapist will suggest this anyway), sit down and ask yourself how you would know if therapy is helping, and write it down, and possibly what you would feel like if you no longer needed the extra support of therapy (ie had other sources of support etc).

This will give you a goal, and focus you on what stresses, behaviours or issues you are wanting to resolve.

:)

Answer 4

Yes, I think that sounds sensible.  There are a few things that I think you could benefit from talking about.  First of all, your relationship with your parents, because you don't get along well with them.  At the age of 19 a lot of people still need their parents for emotional and financial support, so a difficult relationship is cause for concern.  

Also your panic attacks.  You don't have to live like that.  Things can be different, and a therapist can help.

A good therapist will not try to make you believe you have all sorts of mental issues.  He or she will try to help you with the life issues that you have.

Answer 5

View the techniques for control of anxiety/panic attacks, in section 8, at ezy build, below. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious). Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively). The paper bag method works for most people: try it.  

   If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/

Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/  website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them. For some people, this is enough. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind. You could try the same method. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack.  

   Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective. Stress: see section 42; page i first.

   Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing. (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.  

   Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread.

Visit your college counselor: that's what they're paid for:-  don't tie up someone who could be helping others with more serious problems, if you can manage OK using the above.

Answer 6

I think most people could benefit from therapy, even if not going through specific issues at the moment. It might help you learn and understand more about yourself, and help you deal with stress when it does come up.

Don't feel like you have to stick with the first therapist you go to either...if you feel like they are not a good fit for you, or don't understand what you want to get out of this, try someone else.

Answer 7

going to a therapist before any major issues arise is a really good idea. No mental health professional would try and convince you that you have some illness that you don't. Sometimes all you really need is someone to listen and give you some feedback without any judging of what was said. You're a smart cookie to think of therapy now, alot of people wait until things in their lives are out of control to seek help.  

Answer 8

Absolutely! A person that has panic attacks is likely to benefit from therapy, it might help to get an idea what is causing them. No therapist worth their degree is going to try to convince you that you have issues that don't exist.

You are obviously intelligent enough to realize that most people would benefit from a little therapy. Too many people bite the bullet and wait until an issue has snowballed to the point of causing real problems. A good therapist can help you with coping with panic attacks.

  Good luck.