Table of Contents
Can therapy affect you negatively?
In fact, therapy can be harmful, with research showing that, on average, approximately 10 per cent of clients actually get worse after starting therapy. Yet belief in the innocuousness of psychotherapy remains persistent and prevalent. Treatments that work for the vast majority of people might have little to no effect on others. That being said, about 75% of people overall show benefits from psychotherapy for their mental health.There are potential risks to psychotherapy. People may initially feel worse as the therapy progresses. In rare cases, psychotherapy may even trigger some people to have thoughts about wanting to hurt themselves or end their lives.If you’re worried that your therapist is becoming tired of you, openly ask what’s happening with them and whether it’s to do with what you’re discussing. This can open up new doors in the therapeutic relationship, allowing you to explore more emotional content and build your trust.Sometimes therapy will make you feel worse for a little. But remember: it is totally normal to feel worse at the beginning of therapy.
Can therapy make things worse at first?
Yes, therapy is here to help you get better, but getting better will often result in you feeling worse in the beginning. Because it’s new. And you’re dealing with tough stuff! One of the clearest signs that therapy is working is that you feel better. This could be very obvious, or it might feel more subtle. For example, your life might begin to feel more manageable, or the fog on a complicated path forward may start to clear.The answer isn’t straightforward since there isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeline. However, you can begin seeing the positive effects of therapy from your very first session. You might feel a huge sense of relief because you’ve connected with someone who hears, sees, and understands you.People often feel worse after therapy because the session brought up deep emotions that are painful to them, or the therapist may have challenged their beliefs. People do not recognize therapy as a process, and discomfort should be expected when navigating difficult emotions.
Can therapy worsen symptoms?
We hear a lot about the unwelcome side-effects of psychiatric drugs, but not so much about the fact that therapy can also leave people feeling worse than they did already. Data is thin on the ground, but best estimates suggest that between 5 to 10 per cent of therapy clients experience a worsening of their symptoms. Regarding psychotherapy, there are a number of potential adverse effects which are discussed, ranging from worsened or novel symptoms, such as symptom substitution [4–8], to dependence from the therapist [9], stigmatisation [10], relationship problems or even separation [11, 12], as well as misuse of alcohol or drugs, .In an informal survey among my clients who have had prior therapy, most tell me that they left without actually discussing their exit with the therapist. Some felt pushed. Many felt misunderstood and not helped, or they disliked the therapist’s style or something the therapist said.Anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of people who go to therapy report some benefit—but at least 5 percent of clients get worse as a result of treatment. For people from marginalized groups, harmful outcomes may be even more common.Client dropout from psychotherapy is a huge problem. A recent meta-analysis found that about 1 in 5 patients leave treatment before they have reached an acceptable level of recovery, against the recommendation of their therapist.
Does therapy help or make it worse?
The APA says about 75% of people who try psychotherapy see some benefit from it—but not everyone does, and a small portion may even experience negative effects, studies suggest. Those who improve may need 20 sessions before they have a breakthrough. In long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, the patient and therapist will typically meet for more than one year with at least 40 sessions in each year. On the other hand, in short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychotherapy will be less than one year and less than 40 sessions.The duration of therapy can vary depending on the severity of your anxiety. If you have mild anxiety then 8-12 sessions may be effective as you learn coping skills and develop strategies to manage anxious thoughts and feelings. Patients with moderate anxiety may need 15 to 20 sessions to see lasting improvement.
Can therapy make trauma worse?
The truth about trauma therapy is that it may make you feel worse at times. Trauma shatters a person’s sense of safety, so it’s vital to find a mental health professional you feel comfortable sharing with and trust to lead you through the healing process. Therapy is a process, and it can take time to see results. If you don’t feel like your therapy sessions are helping, it’s important to talk with your therapist about how you’re feeling. It could be that the approach needs to be adjusted or that another type of treatment may be more effective for you.Most therapists genuinely believe they don’t have the answers to the questions or challenges you face—however, they believe you do. They see their job as helping you find your own answers, and they know that silence can help you do that.Even if you normally enjoy therapy, there might be some days when you’re just not feeling it. It’s okay to not want to go to therapy. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to improve your experience—and lots of other ways to improve your mental health outside of therapy.Reasons, such as lack of trust or feeling misunderstood, may make you feel like therapy isn’t helping. Here’s how you can improve your experience. There are many reasons why therapy may not be working for you. Your therapist, the type of therapy they provide, and how they relate to you may be the reasons.
Can therapy make anxiety worse?
The fear that therapy will increase anxiousness is a common misconception that may dissuade people with anxiety disorders from seeking therapy. More accurately, therapy for anxiety is a process that requires facing what is driving one’s inner distress. It’s true that this can be anxiety-provoking short term. In general, there’s little risk in getting cognitive behavioral therapy. But you may feel emotionally uncomfortable at times. This is because CBT can cause you to explore painful feelings, emotions and experiences. You may cry, get upset or feel angry during a challenging session.Starting CBT can make you feel more anxious, but this does not mean that it is not working; an anxiety spike is not only expected but is a valuable part of the therapy process, allowing you to learn more about and effectively manage your anxiety rather than resorting to coping mechanisms that do not help.
Do some people get worse with therapy?
Anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of people who go to therapy report some benefit—but at least 5 percent of clients get worse as a result of treatment. For people from marginalized groups, harmful outcomes may be even more common. That the therapy will prove ineffective? In fact, therapy can be harmful, with research showing that, on average, approximately 10 per cent of clients actually get worse after starting therapy.Alternative options to therapy include exercise (like yoga and dance), meditation, art, music, journaling, and reading. Mental health apps are available to help support you as well.How do you know if therapy is needed? Two general guidelines can be helpful when considering whether you or someone you love could benefit from therapy. First, is the problem distressing? And second, is it interfering with some aspect of life?While therapy is often recommended for individuals who have experienced trauma, it is possible to heal without it. Self-care, such as practicing mindfulness, exercise, and spending time in nature, can be effective in reducing symptoms of trauma.
When therapy is too hard?
Consider seeking additional support. You might need additional support when therapy gets hard. Therapy can bring about many different internal changes, so there may be times when other forms of support could be advantageous. For example, you might sign up for a support group or attend an anger management class. While therapy is often recommended for individuals who have experienced trauma, it is possible to heal without it. Self-care, such as practicing mindfulness, exercise, and spending time in nature, can be effective in reducing symptoms of trauma.Alternative options to therapy include exercise (like yoga and dance), meditation, art, music, journaling, and reading. Mental health apps are available to help support you as well.
What is the risk of going to therapy?
Psychotherapy generally involves little risk. But because it can explore painful feelings and experiences, you may feel emotionally uncomfortable at times. A skilled therapist who can meet your needs can minimize any risks. Learning coping skills can help you manage and conquer negative feelings and fears. One of the reasons therapy can feel awkward at first is that, while it does consist of talking to someone, you talk to a therapist for different reasons than you talk to anyone else. The goals of everyday conversation include: To tell a good story. To exchange information.They want to know how you really feel and what you really think. So, tell them—you need to for therapy to work anyway! Your therapist will ask a lot of really personal questions in the beginning. Answer them as honestly as you can, but keep in mind you don’t have to share any more details than you feel ready to share.Fear: It’s also possible that you’re scared to share things about your life. Maybe you’ve experienced trauma or relationship issues and you fear what their reaction will be. Understand that therapists are not there to judge you and they’re trained to listen to and understand topics that may be difficult to talk about.
Why do some people get worse after therapy?
Key takeaways: Talking about certain thoughts, feelings, and memories in therapy may cause you to feel worse after a therapy session instead of better. This is sometimes known as a therapy hangover. Therapists most often reported feeling sad while crying, and grief was most often the topic of discussion. In 55% of these experiences, therapists thought that clients were aware of the crying, and those therapists who discussed their crying with their clients reported improved rapport as a result of the crying.It’s typical to feel a sense of emotional exhaustion after having dredged up those feelings again, which can lead people to cry either during or after a therapy session. These intense emotions don’t typically indicate that therapy isn’t working or that your treatment is making things worse.Some people never cry in therapy. That is just not what they do, or not how they express emotion. Some people cry all the time in therapy. There is no normal, but there is also no correlation between the severity of someone’s problems and crying.