mental health - SUNGJEM AIER https://sungjemaier.com Counseling & Therapy Clinic Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:28:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://sungjemaier.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Logo-Sungjem-Aier-150x150.png mental health - SUNGJEM AIER https://sungjemaier.com 32 32 Why Do I Still Want to Be Picked Up From the Auto Stand? https://sungjemaier.com/2025/06/08/why-do-i-still-want-to-be-picked-up-from-the-auto-stand/ Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:52:04 +0000 https://sungjemaier.com/?p=1328 This cognitive dissonance makes us feel like frauds, like imposters. Because even when we say we want equality, but we still crave the emotional rewards of old roles: the chivalry, the service, the power.

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I make tea when guests come over. Even when I’m tired. Even when my brother is sitting right there. I do it without thinking, like it’s stitched into my spine.

And he, he reaches for the heavier suitcase when we travel, moves the furniture, opens the stubborn jar. Not because he enjoys it. Because that’s what men do, right? That’s what he’s supposed to do.

Muscle Memory of Womanhood and Masculinity

In moments when I can watch myself from the outside, I feel an odd kind of betrayal; like I’ve let go of the version of me who stands tall for equality, who earns her own money, who refuses to wait for permission. But when guests walk in, that girl disappears. The tea gets made. The house gets cleaned. My body moves before my brain catches up.

And he too wonders, sometimes, late at night, why he’s expected to be strong all the time, why asking for help feels like weakness, why carrying the weight of “being the man” feels so damn heavy, even when no one’s watching.

Wanting What We Were Taught to Want

Still, in the same breath, I want flowers. I want someone to walk me home when it’s late, to lift the heavy boxes, to pick me up from a shady auto stand. Not because I can’t do it myself but because somewhere, I’ve been taught not to want to.

And he, too, wants to be seen beyond the strength expected of him, beyond the rules he never chose to follow.

Perhaps it sounds a lot like hypocrisy but I believe this is inheritance. It’s centuries of conditioning tangled into the scripts we don’t even realize we’re reading.

Roles That Outlive the People Who Wrote Them

We like to think we’ve moved forward. That with a few conversations, a few policy changes, a few Instagram posts, we’ve left the past behind and well on our way to a “woke” future. But gender roles don’t vanish just because we understand they’re outdated.

They live in our bodies.

They live in our silence.

They live in the moments we don’t even notice.

You don’t remember learning them, but you follow them like a sleeper agent who was told the password.

“Clean the house before the guests arrive.”

“Don’t speak too loudly.”

“Expect strength from men, softness from women.”

“Smile. Nod. Serve.”

You were rewarded for being obedient and he was praised for being tough.

You were taught to soften your voice and he was told to speak with authority.

You were shown how to make a home. While he was told to provide one.

These things are not always taught with cruelty. Sometimes they’re passed down with care, under the guise of “protection,” “respect,” or “tradition.” And so we internalize them as part of our identity and they become who we think we are.

Psychology, Culture, and the Gendered Brain

Psychology calls this gender schema theory. Basically, it means the internal map we start drawing in early childhood that tells us how boys and girls “should” behave. These frameworks are shaped by family, media, religion, and culture. They tell us what’s appropriate, acceptable, attractive.

They might begin as suggestions but over time, they harden into expectations. And once those expectations are ingrained, they become habits- automatic, and unthinking. That’s why even when we know better, we often don’t act differently. But we’re just defaulting, not failing.

The toughest part is the cognitive dissonance because even when we know gender roles are outdated, there’s guilt in not following them. Like feeling selfish for not helping or cold for not nurturing. Maybe you feel some kind of entitlement for expecting emotional support from your partner. Or disappointed when they don’t fit the gendered fantasy that you thought you outgrew.

This push and pull makes us feel like frauds, like imposters. Because we say we want equality, but we still crave the emotional rewards of old roles: the chivalry, the service, the power.

Religion and the Divine Order of Gender

Every major religion has played a part in reinforcing gender roles. Perhaps not always maliciously, but deeply and consistently. Gender roles were never just about personality or choice. It had so much to do with order, survival, and in many cases, power. Over centuries, those roles got baked into traditions, reinforced by stories, and eventually passed down like family heirlooms.

Across belief systems, be it Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism or any other,  you’ll find gendered ideals:

The devoted wife.

The noble protector.

The obedient daughter.

The authoritative father.

And while some of these roles may have served a purpose in historical contexts, they too have, in many ways, outlived their usefulness and instead, become prisons.

Religion codified these roles into something sacred. This meant that disobeying them wasn’t just a simple rebellion, it felt like SIN.

Ritual became rule. Rule became virtue. Virtue became shame.

But even when we begin to unlearn what religion, tradition, and family once taught us, the residue doesn’t wash off so easily.

These beliefs aren’t just in sermons or rituals but in every pause when we speak. Shame creeps in when we disobey and we feel like we are betraying our lineage for simply choosing differently.

And so, even with awareness, we are heavy leaden with the weight of roles we no longer believe in, feeling torn between who we are becoming and who we were told we must be.

The Guilt of Knowing Better

Many of us identify as progressive, independent, and empowered and maybe we really are.

But why do we still feel a jolt of disappointment when a man doesn’t offer to pay? Why do men still feel pressured to be providers?

Why is it that even today, we raise daughters to dream big, but still teach them to say “sorry” too much.

Or tell sons to express themselves, but still stiffen when they cry too easily.

The truth is, we are quick to say “be who you are,” but we quietly celebrate when they stay in line.

And here lies the heart of the conflict:

We know the roles aren’t real. But we still feel guilty when we don’t play them. And the worst part is that, we sometimes resent others when they don’t play them either.

We expect ourselves to be evolved, but somewhere deep inside, we still want the roles to be filled. Maybe by us, by our partners, or by the world.

We feel like imposters in our own beliefs and constantly feel like we’re betraying something but we’re just not sure what.

Gender Role or Sex Role? Words That Define Us

Some roles are written into our bodies: chromosomes, hormones, anatomy. These are sex roles.

But most of the roles we live come from stories. Stories that shape our gestures, expectations, desires. Stories about what it means to be a woman or a man, soft or strong, nurturing or assertive. These are gender roles- taught, repeated, enforced. It’s what is stitched into lullabies, textbooks, temple rituals, and sitcom punchlines.

Some schools of psychology and sociology lean toward this understanding: most of what we think of as “natural” behavior is actually modeled, rewarded, and reinforced. In other words, behaviour is built, not born. Biology may set the stage, but culture writes the script. And we’ve all been cast before we even knew we were in a play.

How We Begin to Unlearn

You don’t need to burn the kitchen down just because you found yourself doing the dishes.

You don’t need to exile your dad or rewrite your childhood in a rage.

You don’t even have to stop liking flowers, or wanting someone to walk you home.

But you can notice.

You can pause before you perform.

You can ask: Is this who I am, or who I was trained to be?

You can name the double standards.

You can say no even when your upbringing tells you to smile and nod.

You can be both: loving and loud, soft and self-defining.

Because that guilt, the friction and the ever present internal tug-of-war is not a sign of failure but a sign that signals you are waking up inside a system that wants you asleep.

We might still make the tea. We might still carry the heavy boxes. But we’ll do it awake.

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Is “Good Vibes Only” Actually Bad for You? https://sungjemaier.com/2025/05/26/is-good-vibes-only-actually-bad-for-you/ https://sungjemaier.com/2025/05/26/is-good-vibes-only-actually-bad-for-you/#respond Mon, 26 May 2025 11:30:00 +0000 https://sungjemaier.com/?p=1318 The ‘Good Vibes Only’ mantra may seem harmless, but when it shuts down authentic emotion, it becomes toxic. This post explores the harm of forced positivity and why embracing the full range of human feelings is the real path to mental wellness.

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Is "Good Vibes Only" Actually Bad for You?

It’s hard to pinpoint when the ‘Good Vibes Only’ mantra became the unofficial wallpaper of the internet, but you’ve seen it: “Good vibes only!” plastered on Instagram captions, neon signs, and aggressively cheerful coffee mugs. The irony isn’t lost on me. I’m literally wearing a ‘Good Vibes Only‘ t-shirt as I type this. 😀

At first glance it sounds pretty great, right? A world where negativity is banished and everyone is radiating joy like a human-sized glow stick.

But that’s not how emotions work.

The phrase is meant to inspire and lift people up, but what will happen when that relentless positivity becomes a suffocating gag order on authentic human emotion?

When “Good Vibes” Aren’t So Great

Just to be clear, optimism isn’t the enemy. Positivity, gratitude, and finding silver linings all have their place in mental well-being. But when positivity is used to dismiss or invalidate real emotions, it can get a bit tricky.

Toxic positivity is the relentless pressure to be a ray of sunshine, even when life’s pelting you with lemons and forgotten the sugar for the lemonade.

It’s sentences like:

“Just stay positive!”

“At least you have a job!” or

“Everything happens for a reason!”

Suddenly, you feel dismissed. You feel like your emotions are an inconvenience. It’s the emotional equivalent of putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone.

And that’s the thing- forcing positivity doesn’t erase the problem. All it does is isolate the person dealing with it.

Spotting Toxic Positivity in the Wild

Toxic positivity minimizes real struggles. When you are dealing with stress, grief, or anxiety, forcing a positive spin on everything can make you feel guilty for having emotions in the first place.

You end up thinking “Why can’t I just be happy?” or “Maybe I’m overreacting.” But the truth is, YOU’RE NOT!

Research consistently demonstrates a stark reality: suppressing emotions amplifies them. This forced ‘positivity’ ironically breeds more stress in the long run. So, by forcing “good vibes only,” we’re not creating happiness but bottling up stress that will explode later. (Which will probably happen at the worst time.)

Beyond the mental gymnastics, the physical toll of this forced positivity is just as concerning. There is extensive research that suggests that emotional suppression can lead to increased stress, higher inflammation, and even a weakened immune system. In other words, pretending everything is fine under a gigantic pile of “good vibes” is not good for your mental well-being.

Embracing Your Inner “Meh” (And Other Real Emotions)

You don’t have to be happy all the time to be mentally healthy. Real emotional well-being means allowing the space in your mind and body for all kinds of emotions.

Yes, that means even the uncomfortable ones. Why? Because these are the emotions that tell us when something needs to change, when we need rest, or when we need support.

So, how do we break free from the tyranny of this ‘good vibe’? Maybe instead of shoving every uncomfortable feeling under a rug made of inspirational quotes, we can try to embrace a healthier approach:

  • Ditch the forced silver linings. Sometimes, things do suck. It’s okay to not be okay.
  • Feel it to heal it. Are you sad? Or angry? Feeling frustrated? Good! Those emotions exist for a reason. Let them be seen.
  • Find a balance. Positivity is obviously great, but so is honesty. Know where to draw the line.
  • Offer a listening ear to others. Sometimes, people just need to be heard, not “fixed.”
  • Replace ‘Good Vibes Only’ with ‘All Vibes Welcome.’ Because mental health isn’t about avoiding the bad and faking happiness. In fact, that’s the last thing on our minds when we discuss mental health. What it is, is learning to navigate all of it- all the “ugly” emotions, all the “vibes” and all the feelings.

What It All Boils Down To

There’s nothing wrong with looking on the bright side. But the problem is that toxic positivity can be quite sneaky. “Good vibes only” sounds well-intentioned but it’s not really doing anything good or helpful for you other than telling you to be happy no matter what.

Where as, real support is about being there for yourself and others through the highs and the lows.

Life is messy, and emotions are complex. It isn’t all good vibes, and that’s perfectly okay.

Mental health isn’t only positive affirmations. Sometimes it can look like anger, sadness, crying in your parked car. And sometimes, it’s saying, “I’m not okay” without looking at the silver lining.

The goal isn’t to force happiness but to create a little bit of space in your being for all feelings. That means the good, the bad, and even the ones that don’t fit neatly on a coffee mug.

Read more on how to take better care of your mental health here!

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Dear Main Character, You’re Not the Only One in the Story https://sungjemaier.com/2025/04/27/dear-main-character-youre-not-the-only-one-in-the-story/ https://sungjemaier.com/2025/04/27/dear-main-character-youre-not-the-only-one-in-the-story/#respond Sun, 27 Apr 2025 11:14:35 +0000 https://sungjemaier.com/?p=1298 You’ve seen it. Cinematic montages of morning coffee captioned like movie scripts, dramatic retellings about life’s...

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Main Character Energy

You’ve seen it. Cinematic montages of morning coffee captioned like movie scripts, dramatic retellings about life’s mundane events, plot twists, and people stepping into their “main character era” like they just walked onto a film set. The idea is simple- romanticize your life, see yourself as the protagonist, and bask in the spotlight of your own narrative.

Sounds empowering, right? Well, not always.

What is Main Character Syndrome, anyway?

Main Character Syndrome (MCS) isn’t an official psychological diagnosis, but it’s definitely a cultural moment. It’s the tendency to see yourself as the star of the show; where everything that happens is part of your storyline, and everyone else is just supporting characters, obviously!

A little self-importance is natural. Heck, it’s even necessary, but when does it go too far? In my own understanding, perhaps it’s when your personal story arc becomes the story.

Reality with a Filter

Social media didn’t just encourage MCS, it put it in 4K resolution and everyone wanted social media to be the director of their lives. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have turned everyday existence into a performance that encourage people to document their lives like a carefully curated film reel.

It was no longer about just about sharing life’s moments, it became so much about crafting a narrative and making sure they look like something straight out of an A24 film, complete with aesthetic coffee shots, dramatic text overlays, and indie soundtrack-worthy captions.

But constantly curating your life to fit a storyline can wrap self-perception. You just end up spending too much time scripting your life, and before you know it, you are living for the aesthetic, not the experience.

When we’re too focused on being the main character, it’s easy to forget that everyone else is living an equally complicated, messy, meaningful lives too.

Main Character Energy Gets Lonely

There’s nothing wrong with adding a little flair to your life; after all, perspective shapes experience. And tbh, romanticizing your life does have the potential be all fun and games. You might even manage to convince yourself of this, but …

when everything becomes content, conversations will turn into dialogue rehearsals, experiences become photo ops, and relationships can feel transactional. The pressure to constantly be someone funny, wise, effortlessly cool, and whatever else is trending, can leave little room for just being.

When you’re always trying to fit your life into an Instagrammable narrative, the mundane parts of existence (which, let’s be honest, is most of life) start feeling unbearable.

Everyone knows that not every moment is a perfect, slow-motion, sun-drenched scene. Real life isn’t always cinematic. Sometimes it’s awkward, uneventful, or downright boring. Sometimes you spill coffee down your shirt five minutes into the day.

And that’s okay.

How to Be the Main Character Without Losing the Plot

Social media rewards a carefully curated version of authenticity, but true connection comes from embracing the unfiltered parts of life too. Studies have even linked excessive social media use to higher levels of narcissism and decreased empathy. This is exactly the kind of behaviour that shows up when people start treating others as background characters instead of fully realized humans with their own emotions.

When your desire to be the protagonist disconnects you from reality, or makes real-life relationships feel secondary to your own narrative, it might be time to take a step back. Because the best protagonists evolve, stay grounded, and (shockingly) care about others too.

You are the main character in your own life, but you’re not the only main character.

So, how do we embrace self-romanticization without getting lost in our own echo chamber?

  • Acknowledge other storylines. Every person you meet has their own plot twists, struggles, and triumphs. Don’t just play a role in their lives, actually engage with them.
  • Drop the script. Let go of the performance because not everything needs a highlight reel.
  • Be real, not just relatable. If you’re having a deep conversation with a friend, maybe don’t pause to tweet about it.
  • Appreciate the unedited version of life. Not every experience has to be aesthetic or romanticized. Sometimes, a cup of coffee is just a cup of coffee.

At The End Of The Day…

There’s nothing wrong with embracing your main character energy now and then. But the real magic happens when we recognize that we’re all protagonists in a shared world, with overlapping narratives, unexpected plot twists, and co-stars worth listening to.

Real connection is about embracing life in all its unfiltered, unedited moments. So go ahead and romanticize your life, capture the aesthetic, but don’t forget that sometimes the best scenes unfold when no one’s watching.

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Doomscrolling: Effects on Mental Health & How to Stop https://sungjemaier.com/2025/03/16/doomscrolling-how-to-stop/ https://sungjemaier.com/2025/03/16/doomscrolling-how-to-stop/#comments Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://sungjemaier.com/?p=1179 Doomscrolling is silently harming your mental health. Learn why it's so addictive, the psychological impact of endless scrolling, and expert-backed tips to finally take control of your screen time.

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Doomscrolling can reinforce negative thoughts and a negative mindset, something that can greatly impact your mental health.Cleveland Clinic

Every Sunday, like clockwork, my phone sends me the dreaded screen time report. And every Sunday, I stare at the numbers in disbelief. “Five hours a day? That can’t be right. I have a life. I do things.”  But do I? Because if my phone says I spent nearly a full workday scrolling through the abyss of social media, then what exactly have I been doing with my existence?

Welcome to the joyless black hole known as doomscrolling– where your thumb keeps scrolling, your anxiety keeps rising, and your sleep schedule keeps suffering.

Doomscrolling has become second nature to many of us. It’s the 21st-century version of staring into the void, except the void stares back with breaking news, Twitter arguments, and Reels that somehow know too much about your childhood trauma.

But why do we do it? And more importantly, how do we stop?

What Even Is Doomscrolling?

Doomscrolling is the habit of endlessly consuming negative news, often on social media or news apps, despite knowing it’s making you feel worse.

It’s like a catching a whiff of something disturbingly potent. You know it’s bad, but instead of walking away, you lean in, sniff again, and then invite everyone around you to confirm just how terrible it is. Before you know it, you’re all inhaling misery like a pack of overly curious sniffer dogs, suffocating in the very thing you should have ignored.

The term gained traction around 2020 when we were all practically glued to our screens, refreshing endlessly for the latest on the pandemic, political chaos, or whatever fresh disaster had decided to trend that day. But even outside of global crises, doomscrolling has cemented itself as a daily ritual for many of us.

Why Are We Addicted to the Scroll? Blame Your Brain!

The answer lies in our brain chemistry. It’s not just a lack of willpower, it’s your brain working exactly as it was designed to because your brain loves information, especially when it thinks that information is critical to your survival.

Back in the day, this instinct kept us alive. For instance, knowing which berries were poisonous or where predators lurked was the difference between life and death. Fast forward to today, and that same wiring has us refreshing news feeds, scanning for threats we can’t outrun, and obsessing over crises we have no control over.

And let’s be real, sometimes scrolling isn’t even about the news. Scrolling is like a coping mechanism.

Uncomfortable social situation? Your phone becomes a shield.

Awkward silence? Time to ‘urgently’ reply to a text that doesn’t exist.

Someone makes eye contact? Oh wow, would you look at that, suddenly I must scroll through my 2017 photos like I’m on a top-secret mission.

It’s the modern-day ‘I’m busy, don’t talk to me’ sign, except, it’s socially acceptable.

The Science of The Scroll: Why We Can’t Look Away

Social media and news feeds are designed to be sticky, meaning they keep us engaged by constantly offering new, unpredictable content. Every scroll is like a scratch card- you don’t know if you’ll uncover a funny meme, a juicy headline, or something totally useless, but the suspense keeps you going.

And that’s where the dopamine trap comes in.

The Dopamine Trap:

Dopamine- the brain’s reward chemical. It fuels behaviours that feel good temporarily, whether it’s gambling, binge-watching, or, you guessed it, doomscrolling. Every new post, headline, or update delivers a quick dopamine hit, trapping us in a cycle of “just one more” until suddenly, an hour (or three) has disappeared.

The Negativity Bias:

Bad news sticks. Our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative information because evolutionarily speaking, that’s what kept us safe. It’s why we rubberneck at car crashes. We can’t look away from danger. Except now, it’s an endless scroll of worst-case scenarios, and we’re trapped in the front row with no intermission.

The Illusion of Control:

We doomscroll because we think staying informed gives us power over the chaos.

News Flash! It doesn’t.

But our brains don’t get the memo. We convince ourselves that if we read one more article, refresh one more time, or check one more source, maybe we’ll finally make sense of the mess.

We tell ourselves that knowing every detail will prepare us, that awareness equals action.  But in reality, we’re just passively absorbing negativity, tricking ourselves into thinking we’re doing something useful.

(And if part of your doomscrolling is secretly fueled by needing to stay ultra in control 24/7, maybe check out my blog on hyper-independence too. Just saying. :))

Doomscrolling Toll on Mental Health

Scrolling might offer temporary relief, but it comes at a cost. Here’s how it messes with you:

  • Increased Anxiety & Stress: Constant exposure to distressing news keeps your nervous system in fight-or-flight mode, making relaxation feel impossible.
  • Shortened Attention Span: Do you feel like you can’t focus on anything longer than a 15 second video? Doomscrolling trains your brain to crave constant, bite-sized updates, making deep focus harder.
  • Sleep Disruptions: Reading upsetting news before bed? That’s a one-way ticket to a restless night.
  • Learned Helplessness: A nonstop flood of bad news can make the world feel hopeless- like nothing we do makes a difference. It’s not exactly the best mindset.

The Social Side Effects

We’re constantly bombarded with bad news, perfectly curated lives, and opinions we never asked for. It’s a lot for one brain to handle. And that overload doesn’t just stay inside our heads, it spills out into how we connect with the people around us.

Conversations interrupted by constant screen-checking are all too common. Have you ever been in a conversation where someone just can’t put their phone down? Annoying, right?

Should you continue? Pause? Pretend you didn’t notice?

That tiny moment speaks volumes. When screens take priority, real-life connections suffer.

How to Stop Doomscrolling Without Going Full Digital Detox

Relax, I’m not saying you need to delete all your social media and disappear into the wilderness. Although, let’s be honest, the thought has crossed most of our minds. But quitting the internet isn’t exactly realistic. Instead, here’s a few tips on how you can regain control:

  • Set Boundaries: Use screen time limits or grayscale mode to make scrolling less appealing. (Yes, your phone actually has these features. No, they’re not just for other people.)
  • Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that add value whether it’s educational, inspiring, or just really good dog videos.
  • Social Accountability: Call out your friends (nicely) if they’re glued to their screens. And, more importantly, let them call you out too.
  • Digital Detox Moments: Try phone-free dinners, walks, or even just a “no scrolling in bed” rule. Your brain will thank you.

The Bottom Line

Doomscrolling, like everything in life, comes with the good and the bad. It connects us, entertains us, and sometimes even helps us cope. But if your screen time report keeps making you question your life choices, then maybe it’s time for a change.

While we can’t control what’s happening in the world, we CAN control how much we let it consume us. The world will keep spinning whether we check the news 50 times a day or just once. And unless we’re journalists or policymakers, most of the information we obsess over won’t change our daily lives.

So the next time you catch yourself trapped in an endless scroll, ask yourself: “Is this actually helping me? Or am I just looking for control in a place where it doesn’t exist?”

Yes, you can still scroll a little but don’t forget to look up every once in a while. Some of life’s best moments happen off the screen.

(But, you know, finish reading this first. Then log off.)

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Debunking Five Misconceptions About Psychology https://sungjemaier.com/2021/05/03/debunking-five-misconceptions-about-psychology/ https://sungjemaier.com/2021/05/03/debunking-five-misconceptions-about-psychology/#comments Mon, 03 May 2021 12:30:00 +0000 https://sungjemaier.wordpress.com/?p=189 Therapy is often misunderstood. In this blog, we debunk 5 common misconceptions about psychology, from who needs therapy to how it actually works. Learn why therapy is a powerful tool for everyone.

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Debunking five misconceptions about psychology

When it comes to psychology and therapy, there are many misconceptions that prevent people from seeking the help they need. Let’s debunk five of the most common ones:

It’s Just Talk Therapy

One of the most common misconceptions about therapy is that it’s just a one-to-one conversation with the patient and therapist sitting across from each other.  Although that’s not how every therapy session goes, you can’t be blamed for only thinking that therapy is all about talking because popular TV shows and movies only show this side of therapy. Except for a few, the therapist is always a glasses-wearing, formally dressed, writing pad holding, excessively nodding person!

There are so many types and forms of therapy in the world. The extensive study of psychology has introduced many pioneers, founders, and developers of different forms of therapy that benefit society in many ways.

Psychologists have always understood that each person is unique and thus needs unique approaches to tackle their problems. 

So, no. Talking is not everything a therapy session is. Depending on what type of therapist you go to, you will have different experiences. Therapists use various techniques, like role-playing and group sessions, to understand client needs.

Misconceptions About Who Needs Therapy: Only for Serious Mental Illness

This age-old stigma has glued on to us like gum on our shoes. It never really goes away. Tiny traces of it always remain.

Anything that gives you solace, lets you feel at peace and maybe takes your mind off of the stress a little bit, if not all, is therapeutic. 

You don’t need to have a raging, life-threatening problem to go to therapy. Not everyone who goes to therapy needs to pop pills to feel better.

People come for struggles with relationships, self-confidence, career choices, self-esteem, motivation, and so many more. 

When repressed, suppressed, and not dealt with, the minor, seemingly insignificant problems and issues are prone to manifesting themselves into more extensive issues and consuming power over you. 

I can’t stress enough the power our mental state holds on our physical life. We think by suppressing such thoughts, we are growing, and we’re not affected by it. But more often than not, this issue comes back and manifests itself in many forms that we don’t even realize why it happens. This is where therapy comes in.

What you think might be a trivial matter could be the biggest struggle for some. So when someone comes to you for help on such issues, be open to lending them a listening ear; that could be all they need. 

You’ll never know unless you deep dive into your own self and uncover the truth. 

Therapists Blame Your Past for Present Problems

Therapists believe in “no shame, no blame.” But one of the most used phrases with misconceptions about psychology is that they blame your past for your problems.

However, the entire repertoire of a therapist consists of “no judgment” no matter what. The job exists so people have a safe place to talk about problems without fearing judgment or shunning.

Contrary to popular belief, not all therapy focuses on the past. Yes, many problems can have their roots in the past, and uncovering the past truth will give you answers. There’s no denying that flipping through your book of life will undoubtedly bear the answers to some of the problems you have now. But sometimes, the answer lies in the now. 

Take Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, for example. Therapists who specialize in this form of therapy focus on the problem at hand. They do not need to know your past to understand your situation now. Focusing on solutions, they say ‘the problem is the problem, not the person.

Misconceptions About Therapy Results: Immediate Improvement After 1-2 Sessions

Misconceptions that therapy is a quick fix, is widespread. But therapy is not a quick fix. Unlike traditional pain killers, therapy does not have a one-stop solution to all your problems. 

They say “good things take time,” and I believe that taking your time to navigate through life, with each step, calculated in a way that benefits you, adds up to make a life for yourself that’s free from unnecessary stress.

A typical therapy session lasts 40-45 minutes, and this can be repeated 2-3 times a week. It will depend on your case and what your therapist deems is beneficial for you. Although, some new forms of contemporary therapy, like Brief therapy, are considerably shorter than traditional therapy. 

With that said, the beauty of therapy lies in the relationship you build with your therapist and vice versa. A healthy relationship takes time and effort from both ends. When this happens through days, weeks and months, it makes the relationship even more important to your mental health.

There is a fundamental importance in the building of a strong client-therapist relationship. Only if the connection is strong will you trust your therapist, be open, and eventually allow you to accept yourself. 

Trusting your therapist is everything in a therapy session. And for this, you need a positive therapeutic relationship.

Therapists Give Clear-Cut Solutions

When we talk about psychology misconceptions, one thing that rings loud is the idea that therapists give you all the answers. But the truth is, you should never go into therapy expecting clear-cut solutions to all your problems. You can, but if you do, you’ll most probably come out of it discouraged or dissatisfied. 

The main goal of therapy is to guide you and give you the necessary tools to navigate your life correctly. Therapists are there to listen to your problems. They try to understand how you feel, and develop coping strategies to help you find your way in life successfully.

In many ways, your therapist is the older adult in the movies, spewing wisdom. Or they can be the person you meet to ask directions when you’re lost, the one that ushers you to your seats in a show. Ultimately, your therapist is the one with the map. 

They first learn where you’re coming from, where you want to go, then give you the directions and the tools you need to get there.

I once heard a saying that goes something along the lines of, “if you give credit to your therapist for feeling better, the job of the therapist is not yet complete. But if you credit yourself for getting where you are, then you have had the opportunity of finding the right therapist for you.”

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back from achieving mental well-being. Discover practical strategies for building a healthy mindset in our article, What goes into building a healthy mindset?

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