Public perception of mental health and psychotherapy

On this thread, I don't want to dive into specific clinical issues, neuroses, or anything like that. Instead, I’d rather discuss the general attitude our society holds toward mental health.
About six months ago, intense stress caused my physical health to take a sudden hit. Once things stabilized, I decided to start psychotherapy to learn better ways to manage stress. I don't have a formal diagnosis, and I'm not on any medication; I just meet with my therapist once a week. To me, this feels like taking responsibility for my own emotional well-being—what people nowadays call "working on oneself."

I honestly don't feel like this is something I should be ashamed of or keep hidden. In fact, I’ve mentioned it to several people in my life, including friends, colleagues, and family.

The reactions from some of them were actually quite unsettling, so I thought I’d share a few comments I've received.

"Oh man, how much longer do you HAVE to go there? (I don't have to; I'm going because I choose to, on my own initiative.)"
"You know, maybe don't mention that to everyone. People might get the wrong idea."
My parents just laughed it off.

(And imagine what the reaction would be if, for example, I were struggling with depression or anxiety and taking medication?)

Also, two people I know recently went through separate traumatic events in their private lives, and when psychological support was offered to them, they both turned it down. One said, "I just hope I won't need it," while the other dismissed it as nonsense, even though they ended up needing six months of medical leave due to the shock they endured.

Setting: Washington, D.C., 2007. Participants: College-educated professionals holding positions such as directors, engineers, and similar roles.

To top it all off, I was browsing a medical forum where doctors answer patient questions, and I saw a well-known psychiatrist explaining the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. She wrote that psychiatrists deal with "mentally disordered people" (whereas psychologists deal with normal ones), instead of saying "people with mental health disorders."
(The person I see for therapy is a psychiatrist specializing in psychotherapy—so, by her logic, I am a mentally disordered person!)

How much longer will mental health be considered a disgrace among Americans?

What I find most amusing about our culture is how we love to romanticize the way Americans handle mental health, picturing them all cozy on a therapist's couch, having these deep, meaningful chats as if it’s just a normal part of life—something we all secretly wish we could embrace too. But the second you actually suggest that seeing a psychiatrist might be a necessary step, people immediately start making those dark, outdated associations with old-school, terrifying asylum movies or those grim, horror-themed depictions of mental institutions.
I suppose for so many people here, the mere mention of psychiatry or mental illness still conjures up nothing but images of being shackled to a bed and staring blankly into space.👎

What are you even doing seeing a psychiatrist? They’re useless... if you can't figure things out on your own, just talk to your inner circle instead. Trust me, your family and close friends can do more for you than every shrink and therapist in America combined.

Charles Doyle49 said:Honestly, what’s the point of seeing a psychiatrist? They can't really help you. If you're struggling, just talk to your inner circle instead. Trust me, your close friends and family will do more for you than any therapist or psychologist ever could.

Go ahead and add that to your original question.

Melissa James70 said:I’m not looking to dive into specific clinical diagnoses, neuroses, or anything like that on this thread. I want to talk about how our society views it all.
About six months ago, stress hit me hard enough to cause some serious physical health issues. Once things settled down, I decided to start psychotherapy just to learn how to handle stress better. I don't have a diagnosis, I'm not on medication—I just see a therapist once a week. To me, it feels like taking responsibility for my own emotional state. It's what people call "working on yourself," right?

I don't feel like this is something I should be ashamed of or hide. In fact, I’ve mentioned it to several people in my life—friends, coworkers, family.

The reactions from some of them were honestly pretty unsettling. Let me give you a few examples.

"Oh man, how much longer do you HAVE to go there?" (I don't *have* to; I'm going because I want to, on my own terms.)
"You know, maybe don't mention that to everyone. People might get the wrong idea."
My parents just laughed it off.

And imagine what the comments would be if I actually suffered from depression or anxiety and was on medication?

Also, two people I know recently went through separate traumatic events in their private lives. They were both offered psychological support, and they both turned it down. One said, "I hope I never need it," while the other thinks it's all nonsense—even though they were out on medical leave for six months due to the shock.

Setting: Washington, D.C., 2007. Everyone involved is college-educated, working professionals—executives, engineers, and the like.

And for the icing on the cake: on a medical forum where doctors answer patient questions, a well-known psychiatrist explained the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist by saying psychiatrists deal with "mentally disordered persons" (whereas psychologists deal with normal ones)—instead of using the term "people with mental disorders."
(The person I see for therapy is a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist specialist—which means, by her definition, I am a mentally disordered person!)

How long is mental health going to be a disgrace for Americans?

the way I see it, the main issue here is you

Why do I think the problem lies with you???

Because you view the term "mentally disordered person" as something that strips away your dignity. Something bad. Something shameful...

What's so shameful about that phrase?

And why do you care what others think? If you believe psychotherapy will help you—even if you imagine it involves being tied to a chair and staring at a wall in a room full of tuning forks—that is your choice and you shouldn't be ashamed of it...

The mere fact that you have the strength and courage to admit to yourself that you need help is a massive step toward getting better...

If there were more people willing to admit to themselves that something isn't right with their behavior or their psyche—that seeking help isn't an ego blow—the world would be a much better place...

I'll say it again: the only thing that matters is whether it helps you or not... what anyone else thinks is the last thing you should worry about...

Timothy Morgan38 said:it looks to me like the main issue here is you.

...

I’m going to pass on commenting on that specific part, since this thread isn't actually about me—I just shared my own experience as an illustration of the broader societal attitude.
If I were embarrassed by what I was saying, I wouldn't have mentioned my plans at all. I’ve sought out help, and I intend to work through everything with my therapist.

But let’s get back to the point at hand.

Not everyone in psychotherapy is suffering from a mental illness. In fact, most people aren't.
People with mental illnesses are those with specific clinical diagnoses—those experiencing significant distortions in their perception of reality, such as hearing voices and things of that nature.

When someone who is professionally trained as a psychiatrist claims that psychiatrists only deal with the mentally ill (which isn't strictly true, or at least it's a massive oversimplification), it really harms public perception. It makes it no wonder that when you tell people you're seeing a therapist, they immediately assume you're "unstable." Even today in American society, there is still this lingering stigma that seeking therapy is something to be ashamed of.

Please try to notice the distinction between being a "mentally ill person" and being "a person with a mental health condition."

Neither state is something to be ashamed of, but there is a huge difference between them, and there's no reason to lump them all into the same category.

(For instance, individuals classified as mentally ill can sometimes lose certain legal rights, like having a guardian appointed or being deemed legally incompetent to handle their own affairs or sign documents.)

How are people ever going to accept psychotherapy as something normal and even desirable—given how nobody is ashamed to work on their physical fitness, yet working on your mental health is seen as a taboo—if everyone who reaches out to a psychiatrist is automatically labeled, to put it bluntly, as "crazy"?

Melissa James70 said:So, I was listening to this psychiatrist explain their job the other day. They actually said that psychiatrists only deal with people who have mental disorders. Honestly? That’s just not true—or at least, it’s a massive oversimplification. Not everyone walking into a clinic is there because they're "disordered." Sometimes it's just about life stress, burnout, or navigating some heavy stuff. It’s a pretty narrow way to look at the whole field.

Look, I just don't get the obsession with political correctness. It feels like we're overcomplicating everything. If you have a cold, you're sick. Period. You don't say you're "partially sick" just because your vision is fine and you can still technically function. That sounds ridiculous. Just call it what it is.
Why is it that seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist is still treated like some kind of social disgrace? Honestly, that stigma is the real pathology right there. It’s funny—in this country, we think it's perfectly normal to struggle with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or obesity, even though most of those are things people can actually influence or even prevent. You'll meet some "tough guy" who'll brag about having a heart attack like it’s a badge of honor. But when it comes to mental health? Suddenly everyone’s acting like it's a secret to be ashamed of. Meanwhile, half of all prescriptions being handed out are for psychiatric disorders. If you're asking me why it's like this, just look at a map and see where we are. Who knows if it'll ever change?

Charles Doyle49 said:Honestly, what’s the point of seeing a psychiatrist? They can’t really help you. If you're struggling, you're better off just talking things out with your inner circle. Trust me, your close friends and family can provide way more support than a whole team of psychiatrists and psychologists combined.

Fair enough, but I have to ask: what exactly do you think psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists are supposed to do—or what should they be doing?
Psychologists undergo four years of specialized training, psychiatrists go through about eleven, and therapists often spend even longer.
Do you truly believe all that education is a waste of time, or that these professions serve no purpose and should just be phased out entirely?

Alexander Taylor said:I’m sorry, but I don't see why we need to overdo it with political correctness. If you have a cold, you just say you're sick. You don't say you're "partially sick" just because your vision is fine—that would be the more technically accurate way to describe someone with a cold, wouldn't it?

To me, political correctness is choosing to say "a person with a mental health condition" instead of calling them "crazy."

Saying that anyone visiting a psychiatrist is "a person with a mental health condition" isn't really about being politically correct; it's simply accurate.

For example, someone who stutters (which is a neurological/psychological condition) is a person with a mental health condition.
Similarly, someone experiencing auditory hallucinations telling them to harm their mother is also a person with a mental health condition.

There are very clear medical and legal distinctions here. You wouldn't (and shouldn't) strip the first person of their professional credentials or commit them to a psychiatric hospital. But you might have to for the second person.

The real issue arises when society views the first person seeking psychotherapy as if they were the second person.

Like I mentioned before, neither situation is something to be ashamed of, but I don't understand why we feel the need to conflate the two.

Melissa James70 said:Political correctness is just saying "someone with a mental health condition" instead of calling them a "lunatic."

Claiming that anyone seeing a therapist is a "mentally ill person" isn't about political correctness... it’s simply wrong.

For instance, someone who stutters—which is a psychological condition—is indeed a person with a mental health condition.
Someone hearing voices telling them to kill their mother is also a person with a mental health condition.

There are very clear medical and legal distinctions here. You can't—and shouldn't—strip the first person of their professional rights or lock them up in a psychiatric ward. But you absolutely can with the second.

The issue arises when society treats the first person seeking psychotherapy as if they were the second type.

Like I said, neither situation is shameful, but why on earth would we insist on conflating them?...

Honestly, I think you're digging yourself into a hole you won't be able to climb out of...

So, according to you, "someone struggling with alcohol" isn't the same thing as being an "alcoholic"?

And I'll say it again: the problem lies with you, because you've become part of the very society you claim to judge...

Because in your eyes, terms like "alcoholic," "mentally ill," or "intellectually disabled" carry this heavy negative weight, implying the person is somehow "lower tier" or worthless...

From where I'm sitting, "a person with a mental health condition" is the socially acceptable label, while "a mentally ill person" is treated like a diagnosis you have to hide or feel ashamed of...

But once you realize that rhetoric is one thing and reality is another, you'll see it all boils down to the fact that these are people who just need help

The fact that there are more synonyms for the same thing, and that some are stubbornly tied to negative contexts, is nothing more than societal immaturity...

Because believe me, a "person with heart issues" is a "heart patient"...

And you have to understand that we are talking about illness, not some socially unacceptable behavior that warrants shame...

Most "lunatics" are responsible for their own state anyway...

Timothy Morgan38 said:from what I can see, being labeled a "person with a mental health disorder" is a socially acceptable diagnosis, whereas being called a "mentally ill person" is a label you're supposed to hide and feel ashamed of...

No, those are two distinct categories—as you put it, two different diagnoses—and I didn't just make that up.
People living with a mental health disorder are held legally accountable, unlike
when someone is actually mentally incompetent in court, where they can argue an insanity defense (which is a far cry from just being stressed out, nervous, or having a phobia of snakes or flying!).

I don't think you're really following my point (and maybe you believe that anyone who gets anxious or stressed is technically mentally ill),
but I'll say it for the third time: there is absolutely no reason to feel shame regarding either situation, but we shouldn't conflate two very different things.

I'm going to end this debate with you right here. But hey, if it makes you feel better—fine, you're right and I'm wrong.😉

Melissa James70 said:No, those are two distinct—as you would put it—diagnoses. I didn't just make this up.
People with mental health disorders are held accountable for their actions, contrary to what you seem to think.
In an American courtroom, if you actually suffer from a mental disorder, you might be able to argue insanity defense (but if you're just stressed out, jittery, or afraid of heights or snakes? No luck there.)

You aren't actually reading my posts (or maybe you believe anyone who gets nervous or stressed is "mentally ill")...
And I am saying it for the third time: there is absolutely no shame in either condition, but we really shouldn't be mixing apples and oranges here.

I'm done arguing with you. But fine, since you're so insistent—yes, you're right and I'm wrong. 😉

No, no, I don't think so. On the contrary, I view it as an illness, just like any other...

What I’m trying to say—or rather, ask you—is this: what is your point in bashing a society that misjudges people with mental health struggles, when you are clearly part of that very same judgmental society?

It isn't about who is "right" or "wrong" in this debate... it's just that I find it baffling how you can criticize the system while simultaneously thinking exactly like it...

My point is simply this: mental health issues shouldn't be viewed as a source of shame, but as a misfortune that happened to you... that's all...

Once you start looking at it that way, you won't care nearly as much about what "society" thinks...

I guess I can also say that I honestly don't give a damn what society thinks about my disorder or whether it’s considered "acceptable" by the rest of the Western world... I go to therapy and I take my meds because they actually help me feel better.
But here's the thing... today I go to see this doctor, right? A woman who is seeing me for the first time ever and hasn't even said a single word to me yet. She looks over my files and the psychiatrist's notes which basically say "patient is experiencing blah blah blah... due to trauma blah blah... sexual assault blah blah..." And she just rolls her eyes. Even though all I needed was a simple medical excuse, she starts going on and on: "I have two sons and... you know, sometimes girls just send the wrong message by dressing provocatively and looking a certain way..." She just kept talking until she realized I was absolutely fuming.
So now I'm sitting here thinking, she's a woman—you'd expect at least some level of empathy, maybe because she could actually put herself in my shoes. Plus, she's a doctor; she should know exactly what happens to people who go through trauma... If she really believes—which was incredibly obvious—that girls in similar situations are somehow to blame, she could've just kept her mouth shut. Instead, she spewed things that were just disgusting and revolting.
I feel like an idiot for not realizing sooner that the situation was getting sketchy. I'm taking antidepressants, which shows I'm dealing with mental instability, and she thinks I'm a lost cause just because I actually sought help.
It isn't that easy to just brush off other people's opinions just because we think they don't matter. Because if someone whose entire job is treating patients (whatever they may be) holds a negative view toward someone with a mental health condition, then what does that say about people who aren't even remotely informed about these types of disorders?
I have this friend who thinks I'm having some kind of psychotic break, when really I just have panic disorder. And yeah, when she gets angry, she snaps and calls me "crazy" or "unhinged."
And honestly, that really bugs me because those two things aren't even close.

Melissa James70 said:How much longer is the state of mental health among Americans going to be an embarrassment?

A damn good question, if I do say so myself!!!

As long as people refuse to wake up and face reality, which, let's be honest, is probably going to take a lifetime...😢

Alexander Taylor said:And why on earth is there still this stigma attached to anyone seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist, as if it were some sort of disgrace? Honestly, that kind of mindset is the real psychopathology right there. Sadly, in the place where we live, it’s considered perfectly normal for someone to suffer from high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or obesity—even though those are conditions that most people have a significant say in managing, or even preventing. You’ll even run into those "tough guys" who will boast about having had a heart attack! Yet, at the exact same time, half of all medications being prescribed are for various psychiatric disorders. If you're asking "Why?", the answer is simple: just look at a map and see where we are located, though whether things will ever actually change... well, who knows?

That was so beautifully put, wasn't it? It's funny how when we deal with cancer or tumors, everyone thinks it's perfectly fine. Obesity, heart issues, piles of smokers sitting in an oncology ward—all of that is treated as completely acceptable.

But the moment we talk about a different organ—the brain, which can be just as dysfunctional or diseased as any other—suddenly, it becomes a terrifying taboo.

And truly, isn't it just typical of the cultural mentality we deal with here in America?

I personally live with an anxiety and depressive disorder, and I make it a point to speak openly about it whenever the topic of health or personal struggles comes up in conversation.

Frankly, I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about it.

We simply need more education, more reading, and more investment in ourselves.

Bit by bit, we are making progress; perhaps in twenty years, seeing a psychiatrist won't even be a taboo subject anymore.😉

The term "person with a mental disorder" is actually accurate, despite you framing it as some scandalous remark made by a psychiatrist.
It seems to me you’re having a bit of trouble coming to terms with your own reality.
Mental health conditions—whether it's depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or ADHD—are simply malfunctions of brain function, essentially pathological neurotransmission. There are medications for it, and there is psychotherapy.
The fact that people in America still view someone attending therapy or, heaven forbid, taking medication, with such judgment is just a symptom of our outdated, provincial, and frankly regressive American mindset.

I’ve been seeing a therapist—on anti-anxiety meds for about 9 months now. My family knows, my friends know... honestly, I haven't run into anyone yet who reacted with that old-school prejudice (not even my 75-year-old grandma, which was a bit surprising, actually). Even if I did stumble upon someone trying to mock me for it, I’d just laugh right in their face—it wouldn't get to me. At the end of the day, therapy and medication work, and that’s all that matters to me. Even though I’m super close with my family and my boyfriend—we can talk about absolutely anything—it’s still easier to open up to a psychiatrist. They can offer that professional perspective and clinical advice that my loved ones simply can't... their support helps, sure, but it's not the same thing.
It’s honestly hilarious that some people still think you have to be "crazy" to seek psychiatric help. And even if you were—well, people struggling with mental health are still people, right?😉
So, to all my fellow "crazy" folks out there: hang in there, stay strong, and let everyone else think whatever they want...👍

Amanda Garcia25 said:I can honestly say I don't give a damn what society thinks about my disorder or whether the rest of the white world finds it acceptable... I go to therapy and I take my meds because they work, and because I feel better.
But then... today I walk into a doctor's office—a woman who is seeing me for the first time ever, someone who hasn't even uttered a single word to me yet. She reads over my file and the psychiatrist's notes, which clearly state things like "patient is experiencing blah blah blah... due to trauma blah blah... sexual assault blah blah..." Instead of just writing my medical excuse, she rolls her eyes and starts lecturing me: "I have two sons and... you know, sometimes girls just send the wrong message by dressing provocatively..." And she just kept going and going until she realized I was fuming.
And now I’m sitting here thinking... she's a woman. You'd expect a little more empathy, wouldn't you? Maybe a bit of shared perspective? Plus, she's a doctor; she should know exactly what people go through after a trauma... Even if she holds the incredibly obvious view that girls who experience stuff like this are somehow to blame, she could just shut up. Instead, she chose to say things that were absolutely nauseating and disgusting.
I guess I was being naive for not realizing how risky the situation was getting. I'm on antidepressants, which reflects my mental instability, and she thinks I'm a lost cause just because I actually sought help.
It isn't that easy to just brush off other people's opinions simply because we think they aren't worth listening to. Because if a professional whose entire job revolves around patients—regardless of who they are—has a negative opinion of someone with a mental health condition, then imagine what those who aren't even remotely informed think about these "minor" disorders.
I have a friend who thinks I have some form of psychosis, when really, I just have panic disorder. And yeah, when she gets angry, she snaps that I'm "unhinged" or "crazy."
And honestly, it bothers me because those things aren't even in the same league.

The only thing I can tell you is this: find a new doctor and don't look back.

I don't even know what to say to what you wrote... but it sounds like that person is definitely in the wrong profession... honestly, she'd be better off herding sheep in the Rockies.

The term "person with a mental illness" is a perfectly valid and correct way to describe what you mentioned as that psychiatrist's supposedly scandalous statement.
I think you might be having trouble accepting your own situation.
Mental health disorders (depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD...) are nothing more than brain dysfunction—specifically, pathological neurotransmission. There are medications for it, and there is psychotherapy.
The fact that in America we still look at someone going to therapy or, heaven forbid, taking medication, with such distance is just a symptom of the backward, primitive, rural... one word for it: small-town mentality held by most Americans.

👍

That is exactly what I was trying to explain, but apparently, egos are too massive to realize that solving "society's big problems" always has to start with individuals tackling their own small ones...

Because you can't clean the trash off your neighbor's porch if you haven't cleaned your own... well, you *can*, but what kind of message does that send? What does it say about you as a person? That you want to change everything around you, but wouldn't dream of changing yourself...

Melissa James70, just wondering if psychotherapy actually helps? Honestly, I’d love to try it, but I really don't want to throw money down the drain if it doesn't work. I've hit a point where everything is just getting to be too much. I'm definitely feeling pretty overwhelmed lately.

Nancy Gomez4 said:femmelatin, just tell me straight—does psychotherapy actually work? I’d love to try something like that, but I really don't want to be throwing my money down the drain if there's no actual payoff. Honestly, I've hit a point where my problems are just too much to handle alone. I'm basically falling apart at the seams.

My advice? Spend more time on yourself and get out more... It would be great to have that one person you can truly open up to, someone you can just lean on and cry on your shoulder...

If you ask me, there isn't a better therapy than being able to talk honestly and without hesitation to a friend—someone you know will listen, someone you can weep in front of without any sense of shame...

In many cases, tears and kind words help way more than antidepressants or sitting in a therapist's office...

But ultimately, the call is yours. Just realize that admitting you need help is already a massive step forward...