Learning that you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition can produce various types of responses. Some people may feel relief that they can finally put a label on their mental health challenges. For others, they may feel overwhelmed with a wave of emotions, including shock, disbelief and fear. They could be anxious about being stigmatised and rejected because of the diagnosis.
Not everyone who experiences trauma, anxiety or symptoms of depression needs mental health diagnosis. But suppose your challenges with mental health are affecting your capacity to function or you are struggling with constant suicidal ideation. In that case, it is advisable to seek mental health diagnosis from a psychiatrist. Apart from helping you understand the condition. The diagnosis will help the psychiatrist determine whether you need to be placed on medication to help reduce the symptoms. The diagnosis may also help guide your therapist in their conceptualisation and treatment plans with you.
As different people respond differently to mental health diagnosis, here is some general guidance that might be helpful:
Allow yourself the space to feel your emotions. Avoid denying how you feel. Be patient with the pace of information. You may have many questions that you would like to answer immediately. Being patient with the answers helps reduce anxiety.
Be careful of inaccurate information: It is easy to find online information, but remember that not every piece of data on the internet is accurate. It is helpful to check the source and take time to avoid information overload.
Reach out: Seek professional help to process your emotion or confusion. Discuss how and who needs to know about your diagnosis. Having a strong support system from close friends or family and professional counselling is vital to help manage your mental health challenges and to work on your recovery.
Maintain healthy habits and routines where possible: Choose an appropriate exercise to help manage the condition.
Being diagnosed with a mental illness does not making you less worthy as a person. It is not an indication of weakness or defectiveness. The onset of mental illness varies and include social and genetic reason. Knowing what you are suffering from help you to make the necessary adjustments in response to the diagnosis. Consult your professional counsellor to explore stabilisation techniques and coping skills you can apply between sessions. Collaborating with your psychiatrist or counsellor and staying hopeful is essential to your recovery.
Restoring Peace Counselling and Consultancy offers counselling and psychotherapy for various mental health challenges. For more information, please visit www.restoringpeace.com.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 8889 1848.
Keywords: Singapore, mental health, private mental health clinic, diagnosis, trauma, anxiety, stress, depression
Коментарі