Therapy Unleashed: Why So Many Are Heading to the Couch Nowadays
Undergoing psychotherapy sessions, here you go?
By Mae Hayes
"I'm seeing a therapist." This was once a whisper only muttered by Baby Boomers, but now you hear it often among Millennials and Gen Z. Those battling burnout, despair, anxiety, or panic attacks no longer suffer in silence, instead opting for therapy. Is it because society is more open to psychotherapy, or have our expectations become unrealistically high?
Let's not be surprised if that's the case. Today's young to middle-aged adults face not only societal pressures to excel professionally, maintain relationships, and perfect parenting according to the latest trends. They also face relentless demands from an ever-expanding digital world, concerns about adequate retirement savings, and global crises such as wars, climate change, and pandemics like COVID-19.
A New Age for Virtual Therapy: AI as the Next Mental Health Counselor - A Game Changer or A Risk? Stress levels are sky-high, and so is the demand for psychotherapy: According to the German Association of Psychotherapists (BPtK), this need has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, as revealed in epidemiological studies. Approximately 20 million Germans fall ill with a mental illness each year, as detailed in a BPtK background paper on the subsequent development of psychotherapeutic care from 2023. However, only 1.9 million mentally ill individuals receive annual outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment.
As the demand exceeds the supply, the reputation of psychotherapy as the best treatment option for mental illness has significantly improved. While only 54.7 percent of respondents in the early 1990s thought that psychotherapy should be recommended for depression treatment, 70 percent believed so by 2001. In a 2018 survey by the German Depression Aid Foundation, an astounding 94 percent of respondents endorsed psychotherapeutic treatment for depression.
Seeking Help Faster: Today's Approach
The taboo around psychotherapy is dissipating, but it's unclear whether this is the sole reason more people are seeking therapeutic help or if it's because more people are simply struggling. "It's a bit of both," explains Dr. Johanna Thünker from the German Association of Psychologists (BDP) in an interview with ntv.de. While the number of treatable mental disorders has indeed increased slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises, it's not that suddenly many more people are suffering from mental illness. Instead, fewer people had previously remained untreated, states the psychologist and psychotherapist.
Yet, today's affected individuals seek help sooner than before. "More people who have always needed treatment are now eager to claim it," Thünker explains. This also applies to older generations, such as the 60/70 plus crowd, who historically wouldn't have considered therapy as an option. "They're increasing, though not our primary clientele yet, but they're coming more and more," Thünker shares, adding that they seek help more often due to their children's involvement and general practitioners who increasingly advocate for psychotherapy for pertinent issues.
A Closer Look at ADHD and AutismCertain disorders that were previously inconsequential in adult treatment have recently emerged. ADHD and autism are examples of such disorders that typically occur in childhood but, unlike previously believed, persist into adulthood. ADHD was only recognized as an adult disorder as recently as 2000. "This means we have a sizable group of people who, either undiagnosed as children or never treated therapeutically, are now receiving diagnoses and treatment as adults," Thünker explains.
Social Media's Impact on Mental Health
Those active on social media will notice mental health issues such as ADHD in adulthood, as well as other mental health concerns, are increasingly being openly discussed there. This helps destigmatize the ideas of mental illness and seeking help, asserts Thünker. "It aids in normalizing the notion that one can struggle mentally and seek help. And that's certainly something that reaches people who might not have been aware of psychotherapy otherwise."
However, Thünker cautions that, while social media sparks open discussions about mental health, psychotherapy is not a lifestyle choice. "It's quite rare for someone to come to us with a problem so minor that we say they don't require assistance. The threshold is not that low that someone would seek help casually, like ordering a pizza or booking a salon appointment."
The Waiting Game: Treating Mental Illness EarlyYet, those experiencing mental illness often wait years—even decades—before seeking help. This is too late, warns Thünker. "The longer one waits to seek help, the more a disorder becomes chronic. While psychotherapy can still help, it is then damage control." Nevertheless, if a severe disorder is treated relatively early, the prospects of recovery are much brighter.
Sources:
- ntv.de
Tags:
- Mental Health
- Psychotherapy
- Psychology
- Society
- Mental Health Awareness
- Social Media Impact
- Mental Illness Treatment
- Cultural Shifts
- Therapy Accessibility
- Mental Health Challenges
- Economic Pressures
- Educational Pressures
- Institutional Support
Insights:
- Mental health discussions on social media contribute to destigmatization and encourage open conversations about mental health
- Early treatment of mental disorders increases the chances of recovery
- Digital mental health interventions are becoming increasingly popular among young individuals
- Society is shifting to prioritize mental well-being, with more young people seeking therapy as part of their self-care
- Mental health issues like ADHD and Autism persist into adulthood, and early diagnosis and treatment is important
- Institutions and communities increasingly provide mental health support structures, encouraging young people to seek help
- Rising anxiety and depression rates among young people drive the need for professional help
- Increased pressure from academic, economic, and climate-related factors intensify mental health risks among young people
In this evolving society, community policies are increasingly promoting mental-health awareness, making psychotherapy a more accepted treatment for mental illness. As the digital era progresses, vocational training in the field of health-and-wellness, including mental health, becomes increasingly vital to equip individuals with the necessary skills to address the growing demand.
The adoption of artificial intelligence as a potential mental-health counselor represents a significant shift in providing accessible therapy, particularly for those in underserved communities. This innovation, while promising, raises questions about its effectiveness and potential risks in maintaining the human touch essential for successful therapy.
