Debunking The Reasons People Don't Ask For Help
If you’re a regular reader of Her Culture, you’ll already know about the five signs that indicate it’s time to ask for help. When you spot any of them, it’s essential not to double down but to make a change, and seeking assistance is the best option. Still, understanding that you need help doesn’t make it any more likely that you will follow-through. Indeed, you probably won’t if you believe in any of the myths surrounding the topic. Being a burden or thinking that your funk will lift naturally can prevent you from recovering properly.
So, with that in mind, below are four more myths and why you shouldn’t believe them.
“I Don’t Want To Open Up”
You might not want to open up to a friend or loved one because then the veil will be lifted and they’ll understand everything. Aside from the fact that vulnerability is scary, it’s also frightening to open up and be transparent, especially with people you love. After all, it might change their perception of you forever. However, venting and getting the feelings off your chest are the only options to relieve the tension. If you don’t, the odds are high that they’ll build and build until they boil over spectacularly.
“I Don’t Have The Time Or Money”
Traditional methods of help revolve around therapy and speaking to licensed professionals. As a result, you might see these avenues as too expensive. Plus, there is a time aspect - not everyone has six weeks to spend in a clinic. Of course, an inpatient drug detox center does have it’s benefits, and you should consider them beforehand, but there are other options. Most centers have outpatient courses where the enrolled can go home and don’t have to stay at the facility. Of course, you can always reach out to a friend who’s a great listener. Then, it’s free and flexible.
“I Don’t Want To Be Selfish”
Being selfish isn’t a positive trait in society. But, it’s wrong to say that it is negative all of the time. The fact is that you must be selfish sometimes, or else you’ll worry about others and never invest in yourself. So, the first part of debunking this myth is to understand that this is a period in your life when you can think about number one. Secondly, nobody will see it this way. Why? It’s because people understand the severity of the problem, and that trumps any ill-conceived notions of being selfish.
“I Don’t Want To Fail”
Firstly, asking for help isn’t failing. Failing is the opposite. Secondly, it might be necessary not to succeed to learn from the errors and come back stronger. In this case, asking for help should allow you to analyze why you ended up in the position initially. By doing this, it’s less likely you make the same mistake again. Therefore, getting help is an error that you should make for the sake of your long-term health and wellbeing.
Have you used these excuses in the past? How will you try and negate them in the future?