Why am I the only one with this problem?
As a therapist working with clients from diverse backgrounds, clients come to me with a variety of issues. One thing that I tend to hear a lot about is anxiety. My clients report that anxiety is not just part of their lives; anxiety runs their lives. When my clients start therapy for the first time, many of them come in feeling like they are completely alone and that no one can understand their problem. They are often skeptical if therapy can help at all.
The hardest part of anxiety and depression can be believing that you are the only person with these problems, or thinking you have a “me problem.” In fact, most of the issues people have are “we problems.” By that I mean if you are a person, chances are you are having a problem that other people experience too. Many people have thoughts like “I am not good enough,” “I am a bad person,” “ no one will love me,” “no one is as broken as I am,” etc. Our minds automatically jump to these self-defeating statements, these thoughts make all the decisions for us, and take all the fun out of our lives.
When a client begins therapy, it helps to understand that our problems are not always so absolutely unique. In this case, the benefit of not being so unique is that your therapist has probably helped others with the same issues in different situations. This is the first step towards realizing your anxiety and depression do not have to control your life anymore. Once you learn that you are in control, you can realize your true potential.
Learn more by visiting these popular resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/anxiety-therapy-4692759
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-zen/201606/the-biggest-problem-in-therapy