I get that a lot of people have been burnt by therapists and medication hasn't worked for them and no cognitive techniques have helped. But equally, I think some of these people fall into the trap of assuming everyone posting here is in that exact same position. I hadn't actually tried therapy or medication when I joined this forum originally. I would cringe at the thought of ever posting in the recovery forum. My attitude was basically what's the point in recovering it's all just bullshit anyway.
It's very easy in that mindset to just see medication as tricking yourself and therapy as just a caricature of fake normie positivity bs which i'm sure it sometimes is. In hindsight I can recognize that as the depression talking, but my alexithymia kinda had me thinking no I'm not depressed it's just life is suffering and existence is inherently pointless. Which now I can see as just intellectualizing emotions not any real philosophy. But with the percentage of autistic ppl on here, and 50% of autistic ppl being alexthymic I can't imagine this is too rare of a story.
I mean I know suicide discussion isn't a complete echo chamber and people do often suggest reasonable stuff. But there is a portion of users who just seem obsessed with arguing that suicide is the only logical thing to do and anyone who even tries to suggest someone go to therapy gets shut down as being a 'pro-lifer'.
I agree that reducing help or suggestions made to being "pro-life" doesn't help the problem. however, it's important to consider where that resistance stems from.
at the same time, I would argue that those on the outside looking in are actually the ones that often treat the experiences of vulnerable people as equally the same. hence, why therapy-pushing is as big as it is today, being treated as a one-size-fits-all solution, which is where that desire to want to fight such treatment comes from. it extends beyond being burnt by therapists.
Instead, it's important to give power to those struggling, who have been victimized and treated horribly by different avenues of help, which has exacerbated their pain and suffering. time after time, we have people in society speaking about treatment and medication on the behalf of others. as a result, many members here want the microphone instead. they've had enough and rightfully so.
when you've gone through terrible experiences with certain treatment, only for people to continue to shove it down your throat, its invalidating and you don't feel heard or understood, so you grow to resist help. I believe many members here are valid in how they feel.
none of this is to say treatment and medication is horrible. it can be a helpful avenue for many people, especially if you haven't tried it. I would encourage people to be open to testing the waters before coming to a conclusion. you're an example of this and I'm glad it has worked out for you.
what we're aiming for is to have an open discussion about treatment and medication. often times, when we go against the grain in our lives, whether it's not wanting to undergo treatment or take medication, especially because of prior experiences, we are shamed and made to feel weak or broken, like we're the problem. and then, it stops there, nothing more. you've chosen to not help yourself, that's on you.
instead, we should work with people and explore other avenues of help that may better address their underlying problems. that begins with a willingness to understand that each experience is complex, unique and different. through this, you can begin to dive deeper into the intricacies of such issues.
this involves financial barriers to seeking professional help, the stigma of therapy within marginalized communities, and the ingrained fear of mistreatment due to cultural differences (cultural competence in healthcare). on the other hand, it's just as crucial to understand and recognize times when common avenues of help that are beneficial to you and I would not be appropriate to recommend to someone. thus, how pushing it in such instances will come off as invalidating and condescending.
many members on this forum view CTB as their only way out because they are suffering from material conditions (unemployment, housing insecurity, lack of access to basic means, social exclusion). as a result, how they feel is a rational human response to suffering. a focus on and push towards diagnosing, medicating, and treatment will not address the underlying social problems that exacerbate their pain and suffering.
it runs deeper than simply having one or two bad therapists and medication not working out for a person. what turns people off on this forum and makes them want to resist is when certain discussions about mental health and treatment are treated as black and white, including this thread.
it's crucial that we acknowledge the range of factors that can influence mental health and the different responses to treatment. likewise, understanding that certain avenues of help are not one-size-fits-all solutions, and that each of us are different and unique. we should continue to strive for open discussions on the topic of seeking help in a critical manner.
