According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, over 40 million Americans (1 in 5) are living with a mental health condition. Through research, we are learning more about mental health every day, and scientists have debunked a lot of the myths and stigmas that have long been associated with mental health. One of the most important things we have learned is the value of psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy is simply talk therapy. It has already helped millions of people and it can help you, too. If you need to overcome the pain of your past, the uncertainty of your future or, something else, then psychotherapy can help. It’s a safe place to explore your behavior, moods, and get to the root of what is causing these issues. Psychotherapy can improve your communication skills, boost your self-esteem, help you build better relationships, and transform your outlook on life! There are a host of benefits, but today, let’s focus on five health benefits of psychotherapy.
Blood Pressure
In a study from The University of British Columbia, researchers discovered that psychotherapy can help relieve high blood pressure. When you have unresolved anger and stress in your life, it has a knock-on effect on your physical health. In the study, psychotherapy had the same impact on systolic blood pressure as anti-hypertension medication.
It cannot be overstated how powerful this is. Remember, high blood pressure isn’t a solo issue. Your blood pressure influences other areas of your health as well, increasing the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Depression
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health issues in the world.
Depression isn’t just a sadness over a slight setback. It’s a persistent issue that heavily impacts your quality of life. It can be highlighted by symptoms like mood swings, apathy, shame, guilt, appetite changes, and sleep problems. Psychotherapy provides a comfortable space to work through the root issues that are exacerbating depression and the associated symptoms.
Anxiety
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, around 18% of Americans are afflicted with anxiety. Around half of the people diagnosed with depression also struggle with anxiety. It’s more than just being stressed out. It’s ongoing and anxious people are often on edge the majority of the time. This can increase stress, influence sleep, and cause a host of issues in your life. Psychotherapy can help anxiety patients regain their compass. It provides context for why they feel this way to help them overcome the problem.
Obsessions & Compulsions
A persistent, unwanted thought is an obsession. It’s fixated on a particular goal or topic.
A compulsion is an irrational, repeated behavior someone feels they have to do.
A psychotherapist can help you find out why you are prone to this and provide you with tools to get them in check.
Communication
You might question whether the ability to communicate is a health benefit. For a moment, consider how stressful situations are due to a lack of or a miscommunication. Communication is a necessary human trait – it impacts your career, romantic life, home life, friendships, and everything in between.
Psychotherapy can help you learn to communicate more effectively. Instead of acting on impulse, you can learn to create distance between your reaction and the stimulus. It will make you more self-aware and more deliberate as a person.