Therapy, Unshackled: Is Mental Health Care Becoming Mainstream?
Has everyone started seeking psychological counseling?
By Anna Kriller
In today's world, the phrase "I'm going to therapy" is no longer whispered in hushed tones. This used to be the norm for Baby Boomers, but now, it's a conversation that's increasingly common among Millennials and the younger generations. People struggling with burnout, depression, anxiety disorders, or panic attacks are opting for help rather than bear their pain. But what's driving this change? Is society growing more accepting of psychotherapy, or do we just have more issues to deal with than ever before?
In this fast-paced world, young to middle-aged adults aren't only battling societal and self-imposed expectations to achieve professional success, maintain relationships, raise children, and adhere to the latest research. They're also grappling with mounting pressures from the digitizing realm, concerns about retirement provisions, and global crises like wars, climate change, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Insight Therapy on Demand: AI and Mental Health - A Revolution or a Risk? The pressure and mental strain are intense, and so is the call for psychotherapy. According to the German Association of Psychotherapists (BPtK), the demand for psychotherapy has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, based on epidemiological studies. Around 20 million people in Germany suffer from a mental illness each year, as stated in a 2023 background paper by the BPtK on the development of psychotherapeutic care. Unfortunately, only 1.9 million mentally ill individuals receive annual outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment.
While the demand far surpasses the supply, psychotherapy's reputation as the best treatment option for mental illness has noticeably improved. In the early 1990s, only 54.7% of respondents believed that psychotherapy should be recommended for treating depression. However, by 2001, that figure had risen to 70%. In a 2018 survey by the German Depression Aid Foundation, a staggering 94% believed that depression should be treated psychotherapeutically.
Faster Seeking of Help
Insight Affordable Therapy?: Why Mentally Ill People Are Still Not Receiving Help The taboo surrounding psychotherapy is undeniably decreasing, but it remains to be determined whether this is the sole cause for increased therapy-seeking or if the rise in mental health issues plays a role. "It's a bit of both," explains Dr. Johanna Thünker of the German Association of Psychologists (BDP) in an interview with ntv.de. Although the number of diagnosable mental disorders has risen slightly due to global crises like COVID-19, it's not accurate to say that a sudden surge of people are suddenly falling ill. Instead, many more people who would have previously gone untreated are now seeking help.
"More people today who would have needed treatment in the past are now willing to seek it," states Thünker. She further explains that this includes previously untouchable demographics, such as the 60/70+ generation. "While they aren't the primary clientele yet, they're starting to trickle in more and more. This is due in part to their children and GPs increasingly recommending psychotherapy for related problems."
Additionally, certain disorders that once were relegated to the shadows of childhood and adolescence have recently come to light. Disorders like ADHD and autism, which typically manifest in early life, were previously thought to disappear with adulthood. However, as of 2000, ADHD was officially recognized as a disorder in adults. "This means we have a large group of people who either weren't diagnosed as children and are now receiving a diagnosis in adulthood, or who are now, unlike before, receiving therapeutic support in adulthood that they otherwise would not have," says Thünker.
Insight TikTok's Impact on ADHD Diagnosis: Long Road to a Clear Diagnosis People active on social media will notice that ADHD in adulthood, along with other mental illnesses, is increasingly being discussed more openly. This openness assists in the destigmatization of mental illness, says Thünker. "It helps normalize the idea that one can be mentally ill and seek help. And that's certainly something that helps reach people who might not have known about psychotherapy otherwise." However, Thünker is quick to emphasize that psychotherapy is not a lifestyle choice, as it's often portrayed on social media. "It's very rare for someone to come to us with a problem so small that we tell them they don't need help. The threshold is not low enough for someone to just come for fun, like to a beautician or something."**
Instead, those affected often seek help years or even decades after the onset of a mental disorder—and too late, warns Thünker. "The longer one waits to seek help, the more chronic a disorder becomes. While psychotherapy can still help, it's then about damage control." However, if a severe disorder is treated relatively early, the chances of recovery are significantly greater.
Source: ntv.de
- Mental Health Care
- Mental Illness
- Personal Growth
- As mental health issues gain more prominence in discussions, the demand for psychotherapy continues to rise, particularly in the realm of education and self-development, with individuals recognizing the significance of mental health care for personal growth.
- In the context of community policy, vocational training programs could consider integrating mental health and wellness components to address the mental health needs of students, fostering a holistic approach to personal development.
- The increasing acceptance of mental health care and the removal of stigma around mental illness have led to an increase in the number of individuals seeking help, often years after the onset of their disorders, underscoring the importance of making mental health care more accessible to all demographics.
