As we work our way through the world trying to coexist in harmony with nature and living the best way we can, there are those times when the pressures of life can really get to us. In a moment like this, there is never any shame in wanting to take care of your own mental health. There is also no shame in admitting that you might need some help from time to time. If you’re feeling down or experiencing panic, anxiety, depression, or other similar issues then perhaps it’s time to take a moment for yourself and seek out a therapist. The easiest way to do this is through an online therapy (teletherapy) provider. The benefits of online therapy are extensive and useful for helping you with your best life. Studies show it’s just as effective as in-person therapy and having someone to talk to in a judgment-free, comfortable space (like your own room) is helpful for treating certain conditions. Here’s a quick rundown of a few of the conditions a teletherapist can treat through an online appointment.
Phobias
Phobias are something a large part of the population must contend with at some point in their lives. A phobia manifests itself as a strong, irrational fear about something. For some people, it might be confined spaces (claustrophobia) or open spaces (agoraphobia). For others, it could be heights, flying, insects, or just about anything else you can imagine. Phobias usually make the individual feel irrationally scared, sweaty, increase their heartbeat, and breathing. Therapists sometimes treat phobias with exposure therapy—using a combination of exposure to the fear and relaxation techniques to desensitize you to the fear—and cognitive behavioral therapy to help control the phobia. Doing this through online therapy offers several advantages, specifically allowing you to retain control of the situation since you’ll be in your own comfortable environment and also enabling you to find a specialist who can help you quickly without the need to travel.
Anxiety
Anxiety is characterized by a racing heart, sweaty palms, breathing trouble, aches & pains, panic, and trouble concentrating. It can also strike at any time. Many therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy to treat anxiety and an array of other conditions. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapist helps you focus on how your thoughts and feelings might influence your behavior. Social anxiety and general anxiety are quite common among the population, with most people experiencing them at some point in their lives. Symptoms of generalized anxiety will include irritability, tension, fatigue, and feelings of restlessness. Lots of things can contribute to these feelings such as health, stress, work, social issues, and more. Seeking therapy for anxiety can help you overcome these obstacles and thrive in your daily life.
Depression
Depression is another common issue that impacts everyone at some point or another. Whether it’s a seasonal affective disorder or another type of depression, it unfortunately happens. A teletherapist will help you using cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you identify negative or adverse thinking that might be causing your depression, and helping you overcome those feelings. They might also use interpersonal therapy to help you figure out how to improve relationships that may be contributing to your depression or dealing with negative emotions and problems in your life. Psychotherapy is also a proven treatment for depression.
If you have depression, consider having an online therapy consultation to set up a treatment plan and work with a licensed therapist to help you get better.
Panic Disorder
Nothing is worse than sudden feelings of panic and panic attacks come out of nowhere. Panic disorder is a real concern in some situations. During a panic attack, you might feel like you are not in control of the situation, have a fast heartbeat, start swearing, or feel exceedingly alarmed. Online therapy is ideal for treating panic disorder. A 2008 study via the National Institute of Health revealed that having fully-trained, licensed therapists speak with patients remotely and have them use a combination of online resources and remote chat sessions was just as effective as treating panic disorder through an in-person visit. Since it’s an ongoing issue for most people who suffer from it, having quick access to relatively inexpensive care is essential, and many teletherapy providers are usually able to offer lower costs and easier access.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a condition where people have recurring thoughts, ideas, and obsessions that compel them to do something repetitively. A recurring theme when it comes to online therapy seems to be location, location, location. The ability to receive treatment from anywhere is such a positive aspect of teletherapy that it can seem too good to be true. This simply isn’t the case. Just look at OCD treatments, for example. The patient is in their own environment and the therapist can observe how they interact with that environment and its associated OCD triggers. They can help the patient work through their anxieties and obsessions using ERP therapy. Treating OCD can be comprehensive and challenging for the patient. Most OCD treatments use cognitive behavioral therapy, supplemented with additional methods. Other forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy like ERP (which involves guided thoughts, images, and situations to the patient’s OCD triggers) represent a challenge to the patient and underscore the importance of having someone trained in the process administer the care. Many online therapists are trained in different methods, making them a good choice for addressing this concern. Finding an online therapist who can treat this condition requires a bit of legwork, but it can ultimately be quite beneficial and useful to seek treatment online.
