Confined by illusions, the topic of mental health largely remains a taboo. People usually hesitate in discussing their mental health problems and seeking medical help.
Some commonly perceived barriers that prevent people from seeking help are:
1) Fear and shame:
One of the most common reasons for not seeking help is fear and shame. People recognize the negative stigma and discrimination associated with having a mental illness and don’t want to be labeled “mentally ill” or “crazy.” They may also have concerns about how such a label could negatively impact their career, education, or other life goals.
2) Lack of insight :
If someone has clear signs of a mental illness but says “there’s nothing wrong with me,” “I’m not sick,” or “I don’t need any help,” this signals a severe lack of insight. This is also known as anosognosia (uh-no-sog-NOH-zee-uh), seen in 50% or more of persons with schizophrenia or other severe mental illnesses. If someone truly believes they aren’t sick, they feel no need to seek or accept treatment.
3) Limited awareness :
A person may acknowledge some mental health concerns but can lack full awareness of their significance or really don’t understand they have an actual illness. They may dismiss or minimize their issues and say “everyone gets stressed out” or “my problems aren’t that bad” or “you’re making more out of this than you need to.”
4) Feelings of inadequacy :
Many people believe they are inadequate or a failure if they have to admit something is “wrong” with their mental health. Further, they believe they “should be able to handle things” on their own without assistance and that they must be weak or inferior to have to ask for help.
5) Distrust :
It’s difficult to consider revealing personal details to a doctor or counselor. Much express concern about “telling a stranger” about their problems. Additionally, they worry that their personal information won’t be kept confidential.
6) Hopelessness :
Some people have become demoralized by their mental health issues and believe “nothing will help me” or “I’ll never get better.” These beliefs can be due to depression or hopelessness and can be substantial roadblocks to seeking help.
7) Unavailability :
Even if someone is interested in getting mental health treatment, they may not know how to find appropriate professional care. In some underserved areas, there may be few or no mental health professionals, particularly those who provide treatment for more complex issues.
8) Practical barriers :
Another common barrier to mental health care is the inability to pay for treatment due to financial hardship or lack of health insurance. Not having reliable transportation, child care issues and appointments for treatment that conflict with work or school schedules can also prevent someone from engaging in treatment.
Source:-
http://davidsusman.com/2015/06/11/8-reasons-why-people-dont-get-mental-health-treatment/
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