Why You Should Choose Online Therapy

Why You Should Choose Online Therapy

This is not an article about being gay. Anyone can be affected by a mental health condition or disorder at some time in their life. In fact, one out of every five adults in the United States have some form of mental health disorder. That is almost 19% of the population and close to 44 million people! So, no, gay people do not corner the market on mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. However, due to the stigma of being gay and the stigma of mental health illnesses, you are twice as likely to ignore the symptoms and not receive help.

Online Therapy

While not encouraging being embarrassed or hiding your problems, the key to getting the help you need may be online therapy. Why? Because nobody will know. You can do it on your computer, phone, or tablet in the privacy of your own home and not have to worry about anyone seeing you at the therapist’s office. Not only that, but you do not even have to tell the therapist your real name; you can remain anonymous. And for many, it is much easier is it to talk to someone if you do not have to look them in the eye. It is hard for some people to express their real feelings in person so using text or chat can be amazing for those individuals.

Cheaper Than Traditional Therapy

Another benefit is the cost. Online therapy is so much less expensive than traditional therapy that you do not even need to use your insurance. That means nobody at work or the insurance company will know you are talking to a therapist either. Bonus points! Why is it so much cheaper? Because the therapist does not have the same kind of expenses as those therapists who see patients in person. They do not have to pay for an office or the costs to run the office such as employees, rent or leasing fees, or utilities like electricity and water bills. Because they save money, they pass that saving onto their patients and everyone wins!

Do I Need Therapy?

So, how do you know if you need to talk to a therapist? Well, there are different types of mental health conditions that may benefit from talk therapy online. For example, depression is treated successfully in over 75% of cases if the individuals get therapy. How do you know if you have depression? Here are some symptoms:

• Often feeling sad or empty for no apparent reason
• Losing your interest in activities you usually enjoy
• More irritable than usual
• Chronic fatigue
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating more or less than usual
• Weight gain or loss
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Memory lapses
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Bouts of crying
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Anxiety Disorder

There are several types of anxiety disorders but they all boil down to the same thing, they stress you out and stress can make you sick! In fact, stress and anxiety can cause strokes, heart disease, and even messes with your digestion. Some of the signs of anxiety disorder include:

• Rapid heartrate
• Nervous or shaky feeling
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Feelings of impending doom
• Avoiding places or people that make you nervous
• Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
• Chronic fatigue
• Aggravation and irritability
• Loss of appetite or eating more than usual

If you or someone you know is having any of the above symptoms, maybe you should try some online therapy. You do not have to leave your house or even make an appointment.