It took me a while to learn to ask for help when I needed it, in certain areas.
This is not because help was not there around for me or I could not access it.
However, what does help mean to one?
The problem with standarizing help is that sometimes we need some very specific help and just going to our usual whatever might not work. Or we don't believe that what we feel we need is even possible, or real.
We need to ask for help and we need to know who to ask for help. Some people are being told they need certain treatment, but the reality is that they would perhaps rather have other type of assistance. I believe I have always been with this dychotomy for most of my adult life, and is not an easy decision. Until it turns up that there is no need to make it, as dychotomy can coexist.
If we don't know who or what we need, we are going to be navigating a variety of offers, that might have worked for others. Dr Christopher Findlay, Phychiatrist, says in an article about people's diversity of needs and approaches to mental health "Some people might want traditional psychiatry or psychology, whereas the next person might want a clairvoyant ghost", and I totally agree with it. In summary: what works, works. The article by the way can be found in Putting the Soul Back into Pshychiatry (Mindthink report 1, by Mind). There is no need to make a choice between using a hospital or visiting the shaman, as far as it works for you, and Findlay proposes to open a diversity and variety of approaches when treating patients, based on the experiences of improvement when the mindset and the beliefs of the patient are being taken into consideration. You are the expert in yourself, and nobody else but you is best at knowing yourself.
For a personalised approach on how you can find it easier to let others understand your needs and connect to support, contact me.
