Undergoing psychological counseling or treatment?
Let's talk about therapy - a topic that was once whispered behind closed doors but is now gaining momentum in open conversations. The millennial and younger generations are embracing mental health support at a rapid pace. But why is this happening? Has our society grown more accepting of psychotherapy, or do we simply have more problems on our plate today?
"I'm going to therapy." A sentence that would've been hushed by the Baby Boomer generation is making its rounds among Millennials and younger crowds. Those battling burnout, depression, anxiety disorders, or panic attacks are opting for help instead of carrying on with their suffering. However, what's throwing this shift into gear? Is it our ever-evolving openness to psychotherapy, or are higher expectations making people need more help than ever?
The truth is, today's young to middle-aged adults are feeling the weight of numerous societal pressures and digital demands. You've got to achieve professional success, nurture your relationships, raise kids, balance an ever-expanding digital world, secure a comfortable retirement, and deal with global crises like wars, the climate crisis, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This increased pressure has sparked a surge in demand for mental health treatment: The German Association of Psychotherapists (BPtK) reports a near doubling in demand for psychotherapy over the last 20 years, according to epidemiological studies[1]. Around 20 million people in Germany experience a mental illness each year, and only 1.9 million receive annual outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment.
Demand for Therapy Outstripping Supply
Despite the high demand, psychotherapy's reputation as the optimal treatment option for mental illness continues to climb. While only 54.7% of respondents in the early '90s thought that psychotherapy should be recommended for the treatment of depression, 70% thought so in 2001. In a 2018 survey by the German Depression Aid Foundation, an impressive 94% believed that depression should be treated psychotherapeutically[1].
People Seeking Help Faster Today
The comfort of talking about mental health issues is on the rise. However, the reasons behind this trend are multifaceted. It's a combination of societal acceptance and an increasing number of people dealing with mental health issues[6]. "It's a bit of both," remarks Dr. Johanna Thünker from the German Association of Psychologists (BDP) in an interview with ntv.de.
Whipping away the stigma of seeking therapy has enabled more people struggling with mental health conditions to come forward and seek help. Moreover, certain disorders that were previously rare in adult treatment have emerged and are now being diagnosed and treated in adulthood[6]. For instance, ADHD, which was only recognized as a disorder in adults in 2000[7]. This means that a substantial number of people who weren't diagnosed during their childhood are now receiving a diagnosis and treatment as adults, or are receiving support for the first time[6].
The Power of Social Media
Taking to social media platforms has also helped destigmatize mental health issues. Platforms like TikTok have become a space for open conversations about various mental health topics, normalizing the idea that seeking therapy is a valid and necessary step for many people[7]. However, some caution that while social media helps erase the stigma, it's important to remember that therapy isn't a lifestyle product[6]. The threshold for seeking help is higher than regulations for hair salons or spas.
Furthermore, many people may delay seeking help for years or even decades after the onset of a mental disorder, which could make recovery more challenging[6]. The longer a disorder goes untreated, the harder it is to manage. However, if mental health issues are addressed relatively early, the likelihood of recovery improves significantly.
Meanwhile, in Germany and other European countries, initiatives such as European Mental Health Week aim to reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue about mental health, further enhancing the normalization of seeking help[8].
The Big Picture
In summary, the spike in mental health therapy usage is due to a broad mix of societal acceptance, increased mental health challenges, and demographic changes, among other factors. While it's hard to pin down the exact contribution of each factor, both broader societal acceptance and growing mental health issues are significant influences driving people to seek help for their mental health concerns.
[1] BPtK (2023). Further development of psychotherapeutic care.[2] DGPPN. (2019). Mental health trends in Germany.[3] European Mental Health Week. (n.d.). About.[4] WHO. (2020). Prevalence of mental disorders.[5] NAMI. (2021). Pandemic and mental health.[6] Thünker, J. (2021). Interview with ntv.de.[7] ADHD adult. (n.d.). What is ADHD in adulthood?[8] European Mental Health Week. (n.d.). Schedule.
"The surge in demand for mental health treatment, as reported by the German Association of Psychotherapists (BPtK), could be attributed to both our growing acceptance of psychotherapy and the increasing number of people dealing with mental health issues. In fact, today's young to middle-aged adults are feeling the weight of numerous societal pressures and digital demands."
"Furthermore, the comfort of talking about mental health issues is on the rise, thanks to the power of social media platforms like TikTok, which have become a space for open conversations about various mental health topics, thus normalizing the idea that seeking therapy is a valid and necessary step for many people."
