We consume a plethora of content daily, either on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform available to us. Using these platforms is not limited to entertainment anymore and they can act as a source of information as well. Given our current situation with the pandemic, content related to mental health is also constantly featured on social media. This is why it is important to understand that this content consists of general tips and suggestions, but cannot be a substitute for therapy.
Let’s understand what therapy is. As per the American Psychological Association, ‘Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a psychologist. Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral, and non-judgmental. You and your psychologist work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.’ Therapy not only enables you to solve the concern(s) that you bring in, but also helps you learn new skills which can help you cope better with whatever challenges arise in the future. You might have come across Instagram posts or articles with symptoms for a particular disorder or trauma or a psychology theory, which you may relate to, but may not be directly applicable, to give you ways to cope or deal with your concern. This may happen because therapy is an individual process and each person has their own response and way of coping with their concerns. No two people are the same, therefore, no two people’s processes can be the same. That is why, it is highly recommended that we treat this information only as suggestions.
Without guidance from a professional, it can be hard to navigate through our concerns, with having access to these suggestions. For example, we all may have experienced stomach aches, at some point in our lives. Reading up on some home remedies, online, by guessing what could have caused it, might help sometimes. But what happens when it becomes worse? or If it’s recurring? or If we simply don’t know what is the root cause of it? It would help to consult a medical professional, right? This concept applies in mental health as well.
Another way we can look at this is understanding the difference between therapy and therapeutic. Cooking, shopping, music, exercising can be therapeutic, i.e., it can make you feel good but they may not be goal specific. For example, painting can be therapeutic but it cannot be a substitute for Art Therapy. In art therapy, you work with your artwork to process your thoughts and emotions, which is an intentional and in-depth process, rather than merely paying attention to the quality of the painting.
Social media is a great tool to stay informed, educate ourselves and be aware of what we might be feeling, but it won't enable you to address your concerns, in depth. We should be careful of not letting social media dictate our facts and truths. Sometimes, when there is a lot of information available at our disposal, it can be overwhelming. There are several ways you can work through your concerns and therapy may not always be necessary. You can find out what works for you, based on what your needs are and exploring through the information and suggestions you may have access to.
...
Love and Light!
Comments