Do people think it's a shameful and embarrassing thing to seek psychological counseling?

Good morning, host.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss these matters with you.

I would like to share my thoughts on four aspects.

Firstly, it is important to recognise the value and necessity of psychological counseling.

As you mentioned, you can perceive a shift in your cognitive thinking over time, which is an essential aspect of psychological counseling. Just as a banknote retains its value regardless of its condition or external perceptions, your cognitive abilities have evolved over time.

I recommend that you persevere courageously.

Secondly, it must be acknowledged that not everyone is kind.

Despite the increased awareness and acceptance of mental illness and psychological counseling, it is still possible that some individuals may engage in malicious ridicule due to their limited understanding. I have personally experienced such behavior, which has led to genuine concerns and anxiety. However, it is evident that such actions are ignorant and superficial.

3. Interpersonal relationships and self-awareness are crucial aspects of life.

You may believe that interpersonal relationships are a straightforward matter and that counseling is unnecessary. However, this is not the case. The father of individual psychology, Adler, once said, "Almost all of life's troubles are related to interpersonal relationships." At the Temple of Delphi in ancient Greece, there is also a world-famous maxim: "Know thyself."

It is therefore clear that interpersonal relationships and self-awareness are important topics in life, and that seeking counseling is a sensible course of action.

4. Your concerns and anxieties may be rooted in an internal reluctance to engage with psychological counseling.

The original poster indicated that they perceive psychological counseling as a highly embarrassing and shameful act. It is possible that this perception is projected onto others, leading to a heightened awareness of external opinions and a tendency to avoid being ridiculed.

Indeed, research indicates that individuals frequently overestimate the attention they receive from others. One notable experiment in this field is the "scar experiment." Due to space limitations, I will not provide a detailed overview here. However, I encourage you to search for it on Baidu as I believe it will be beneficial for you to read it.

The above are some of my thoughts, which I hope you will find helpful.

Hello! I'm a mental health catcher, a national second-level psychological counselor, and I'm here to help!

I have carefully read your account, and I'm so excited to hear more!

From your narrative, I can sense that you are quite troubled. I'm so happy you're seeking psychological counseling! I discussed interpersonal relationships with a psychological counselor. I'm excited to see how it goes!

You've got this! If you encounter a problem, just find a way to solve it. If you feel that you can't do it on your own, then summon up the courage to ask for help from others. This is a very positive action that requires a lot of courage. Many people have not come to a counselor for help because they lack the courage. From this perspective, you have already surpassed many people in terms of being brave enough to ask for help. Keep up the great work!

Even if it is a minor problem, if you don't have relevant experience, you may get stuck. But there's no need to worry! Seeking help actively at this moment can speed up the process of solving the problem. And that's good, isn't it?

From your account, I see that you're already working! I want to congratulate you on this because I know how helpful it is to participate in social activities when you're trying to restore your social functions. I think you may have some negative feelings because you're not used to it, but I know you can do it! For example, you mentioned in your account that you want to hide when you see your supervisor, but you're facing it because you have to. In the process of facing it, do you feel that it is not so scary? The counselor is there for you every step of the way, and you can tell them anything! You feel that you are not facing this alone, and I know you can do it!

You are absolutely getting better and better, aren't you?

I'm so happy to be able to help you with this! Please feel free to leave a message if you'd like to discuss further.

Good day, questioner.

I commend you for your courage in raising and seeking assistance for your concerns. I also appreciate your concerns about relationship issues. Let me clarify: even individuals without schizophrenia will encounter relationship challenges, and relationship confusion is a common experience.

There is no need to be concerned. You are not alone in facing these challenges. Interpersonal relationship issues are a common occurrence in people's lives, to varying degrees.

Given that we are social creatures, it is inevitable that we will interact with others.

Secondly, we address the issue of relationship problems. Are you concerned about being perceived negatively if you seek help?

It may be of interest to note that in foreign countries, receiving psychological counseling is perceived as a sign of confidence and wealth.

In the United States, 30% of the population regularly seeks the services of a psychologist, while 80% of the population occasionally utilizes the resources of a psychological clinic.

It is unavoidable that we will experience periods of sadness and pain in our lives. There are occasions when we are unable to extricate ourselves from challenging situations without assistance. As human beings, we all encounter emotional, stress-related, relationship, and other problems. However, if these issues remain unresolved for an extended period, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a psychologist.

Our bodies can become unwell, and our emotional well-being can also be affected. If you know you need to see a doctor when you have a cold, why can't you see a counselor when you are experiencing emotional distress?

For example, if you have a stomachache, you will consult a medical professional to determine the cause. If you are experiencing confusion or pain in your heart, there is no reason why you cannot seek the advice of a counselor.

In other countries, counseling is as routine as going to McDonald's. Even the President of the United States has a psychological consultant.

In Japan, the government provides funding and assigns counselors to kindergartens with the objective of monitoring and directing the attention of young children and their parents.

Conversely, there is a significant deficit of psychological counselors in China, with less than three counselors for every one million people.

In China, there is still a prevalent perception that seeking psychological counseling is a shameful act. Many individuals associate counseling with a lack of mental fortitude, viewing it as a sign of weakness.

The following factors contribute to the prejudice against psychological counseling: fear of being labeled as "sick," fear of being laughed at, and discrimination.

It is not uncommon to experience difficulties in life, such as emotional challenges, interpersonal issues, stress, and confusion.

When faced with challenges that require additional support, seeking guidance from a counselor is a beneficial decision.

When you encounter confusion, the counselor will assist you in understanding the conflict within, correcting any misconceptions, and developing new and effective behaviors through inspiration, guidance, support, and encouragement. This will help you solve problems, promote development, and improve your character.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that there is no shame in seeking psychological counseling and asking questions about interpersonal relationships. It is a perfectly normal thing to do. There is no need to worry about being laughed at; it is a very common occurrence. Furthermore, I commend you for your honesty and bravery.

I commend you for your willingness to seek answers when you are uncertain. It is commendable to strive for clarity and understanding, even when it involves facing challenges.

I am confident that you are making steady progress.

I would like to extend my support to you and say that the world is behind you.

☀️Make a choice

1.

If you don't see a psychiatrist, it's not good for you. You're not happy, you're not loving yourself, you're hurting yourself, you're hurting your family and friends.

So, do you want to hurt yourself, your family, and your friends, or do you want to see a psychologist, protect yourself and your family and friends, and fight back against those who hurt you with practical actions?

2.

It's a good idea to see a psychologist. If you're healthy, you can make your friends and family happy. Seeing a psychologist is a way of spreading positive energy and love. The more love there is, the more stable and harmonious society will be, and you'll also reap more love and be happier. So you're contributing to society and the country by seeing a psychologist.

And those who mock you are sending out negative energy, which is contagious and bad for everyone, including them. As long as mockery exists, they too may be mocked. For example, right now you can mock them for being ignorant.

So, mocking others is a form of mental illness. They're actually the most pitiful because they don't realize they're sick. When you encounter people who are pitiful, it's best to set an example and help them, rather than harming them and letting them sink deeper and deeper.

So, how should we handle these mentally unstable individuals? Should we seek professional help, set an example and teach them how to behave, help them, or do we just hurt ourselves, them, and each other?

Dear questioner, I can see that your question has caused you a great deal of concern. You are afraid of being looked at strangely by others and are worried and anxious about others knowing your problems. I can understand your feelings very well.

If I may, I would like to offer you a hug.

While schizophrenia can be a challenging illness, your ability to live and work normally is a testament to your resilience and strength. It's natural to experience feelings of inadequacy and confusion in interpersonal relationships, especially in the context of work and life.

Many of us may experience similar confusion. Some people may find that they improve with the support of friends and family, while others, like you, may benefit from the guidance of a counselor.

I would like to suggest that you consider psychological counseling from an objective and well-informed perspective. A psychological counselor is there to help you navigate some of the psychological challenges you may be facing. It's important to remember that psychological counseling is a service that is available to anyone who needs it, and you are no different from anyone else who might seek guidance from a counselor.

Secondly, the issues you're seeking guidance on are quite common, and with the support of a counselor, we can gain valuable insights and enhance our personal growth. It's also a testament to your resilience and strength.

Ultimately, despite the challenges you have faced, you have made significant strides in your recovery. It is encouraging to see that you have not experienced a relapse, which suggests that you have made commendable progress and are well-positioned to resume a fulfilling and productive life.

It's the same for any illness. Just as someone with a broken bone can get back up on their feet and walk again, so can you.

I would gently encourage you not to worry or be afraid of other people's opinions. Believe in yourself and you can prove to them that everyone feels uncomfortable sometimes. Some people need to see a doctor for a fever or a cold, while you just need the help of a counselor. In fact, there is no difference, except that they don't know enough about psychological counseling.

It is worth noting that there is still a great deal of tolerance and acceptance in society. As social awareness grows, more and more people are seeking psychological counseling, and there is a growing understanding of its benefits.

Please don't worry or be afraid. We are doing our best to be upright and great!

Hello! There's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in seeking psychological counseling. It's an incredible journey to embark on to get to know yourself better and better and become the best version of yourself!

You should be confident in the face of other people's strange looks because you are amazing just the way you are! I remember when I was in high school, I also went to see a psychological counselor, and my classmates found out. One person said, "Are you mentally ill? What did your psychologist say to you?" accompanied by a mocking sound. This made me feel disrespected, and at the same time, I also felt that I could not communicate with her, and she would not let me respect her.

I truly believe that everyone, to a greater or lesser extent, may have psychological problems and depressed moods. And it's a wonderful thing to go and solve them!

You see, you are worried that others will think you are stupid, but I have indeed encountered situations where others think I am stupid. And guess what? I don't think it matters, and I won't stop my forward progress because of what others think!

Furthermore, I'm excited to make new friends and show them who I am! I'm looking forward to having eye contact with my boss and others in my life.

It suddenly occurred to me that "life does not allow ordinary people to be introverted," but I don't agree with that. I really hope you can still be yourself, and when it's time to show yourself, I know you'll be brave! The questioner didn't say why he doesn't have any friends, so I don't know how to analyze it.

But I think

Life, you absolutely have to learn to please yourself first!

I really hope these views are helpful for you!

I have been taking medication for schizophrenia for six years, and I have also been receiving psychological counseling. I feel that my perception is improving, and I am excited to see what the future holds! I am always worried that the people downstairs will hear my conversations with the counselor and laugh at me, because most of the questions I ask the counselor are about interpersonal relationships. I am excited to show people that I am not stupid and that I can communicate with others. I always worry that other people will look down on me and laugh at me for asking such simple questions, but I am ready to prove them wrong!

I'm excited to find out more about how to make friends! I often ask about what happens when I work on a construction site, but I'm a little nervous to talk to the foreman. I'm ready to face my fears and start a conversation with him!

I'm excited to share my experiences with the counselor, even if people walking by downstairs might hear and laugh at me. I'm also eager to hear everyone's opinions on me doing counseling.

It's a simple question that's worth asking: Do you think it's a good idea to ask questions if you don't understand something, or do you think I'm stupid and only crazy people go for counseling? In short, will you laugh at me?

Hello!

I admire your courage, and I'm not going to laugh at you for asking how to handle interpersonal relationships. In fact, I'm going to give you a big thumbs-up!

In a very difficult situation, you are not only able to work, but you can also persevere in growing yourself! Through psychological counseling, you can adjust your self-perception, and through behavioral training, you can improve your interpersonal skills. This is quite remarkable!

I totally get it! You think that only mentally handicapped people seek help with their relationships. You're worried that people will laugh at you if they find out.

The great news is that counseling for interpersonal problems is an important part of growth counseling. And the even better news is that it's not just for the mentally ill.

It's a common misconception that only people with mental illness seek counseling. In fact, many people with sound mental health come to counseling for social problems. The good news is that more and more people now recognize that psychological counseling is not just for the mentally ill. It's for anyone who wants to improve their mental health!

You know in your heart that if you speak in the confined environment of your home, no one downstairs can hear you. It is because of this concern that you feel they can hear you, but in reality it is impossible. So you can let go of your inner concerns and go to counseling without hesitation!

What's more, the counseling setting has very clear rules about keeping information confidential. These rules are there to protect you, the visitor, and they're there to ensure that your counselor will never, ever disclose any information about you.

I'm so happy you can be open about your feelings! It takes a lot of courage to admit that you're afraid of being judged or laughed at. It's great that you're working on communicating better with others.

Everyone has their own shortcomings. These shortcomings may be related to our childhood experiences and upbringing, but in any case, they are not our fault. The good news is that if you can see your own problems and actively try to adjust them, with the help of professionals, you can improve and make progress, which will be very helpful for your development!

Psychological counseling is an amazing opportunity to gain new successful experiences in a safe and supportive environment. After training, you can gradually return to real-life scenarios to repeat these experiences and overcome your own real-life problems. It's a fantastic way to make positive changes in your life!

So let me reiterate my response to your question: I absolutely think it's great to ask about how to handle relationships in psychological counseling! It's a very normal, correct thing to do, and I think you should be really proud of yourself for asking!

I really hope Hongyu's reply helps you! Thanks so much for asking!

I'd like to start by saying that by asking this question, you're really facing your own heart. It's not an easy thing to do! The hardest thing for people is to understand themselves.

I admire your courage in speaking openly about your schizophrenia and your decision to take medication. It's so inspiring to see how you're working through your issues through counseling. Keep up the amazing work!

You also asked whether it's shameful or embarrassing to seek psychological counseling. I can relate! I've been there, too. At first, I was afraid of others finding out. I always thought that if anyone found out I'd sought counseling, they'd think less of me. But I decided to ask a friend I trusted if he'd mentioned me. He was surprised and said, "I was talking about my child. How could you associate it with you?"

After a few tests, I realized that I'm just not that into what other people do to me. It seems like everyone is thinking about themselves, and what other people do, even if it's a big deal to them, isn't really on my radar.

And don't forget about your neighbors or the folks walking by downstairs! Try putting yourself in their shoes. Do you really care what they're thinking or doing?

It's likely that you don't even remember their names or genders!

As for relationships with other people, it can be really tough to navigate. It's hard to fully understand and be understood by others, especially when we're all so different. People who excel in their careers often find themselves spending more time on their own. It's understandable! The more capable and intelligent someone is, the less they might feel the need to engage in relationships.

If you read the biography of Steve Jobs, you'll see that he was a complex person who had a lot to deal with.

I think a lot of people feel the same way about relationships. You just asked it out bravely, and I admire you for that!

The world around us is like a mirror, reflecting only ourselves and our own perceptions of ourselves.

And now for something really special. I'm going to share with you the most famous first maxim of the Greek temple of Delphi: Know thyself.

It's so great that you're trying to get to know yourself better!

Hi, I'm Jiusi. I hope my answer is helpful.

I saw that the original poster said that going to counseling has improved their perception, but they're worried that someone might hear our conversation and laugh at us. We also feel that counseling is a shameful thing.

Sometimes we know what we should do, but we doubt ourselves because of what other people say, which makes us see things differently.

As we get older, we tend to let other people's opinions influence us more and more. For instance, we used to think that helping an elderly person cross the street was a good thing to do, but now it's become a risky move.

Not only do people think about it before doing it, but many people also tease us during the process.

But in fact, helping an elderly person cross the street is basically a good thing people do for each other. What's wrong with that?

Similarly, we provide psychological counseling, and it's widely recognized as a valuable service that benefits people. However, some individuals still find ways to mock it.

Sometimes I really envy children. They don't care what other people think; they just do what they want to do.

For instance, my son told me a while back that he wanted to be a game anchor. I told him, "If you're up for it, go for it." He even asked me to help him apply for an account and start streaming right away. Even though no one was watching, he didn't seem discouraged at all.

I felt a little ashamed. I had this idea of becoming a self-media personality online, but I thought I was ugly, my voice was unpleasant, and it would be embarrassing if acquaintances saw me. So I never got started.

Now, let's go back to the questioner's description. It seems that most of the questioner's problems are interpersonal. He's afraid to speak to his leader on the construction site and tries to avoid him whenever he sees him.

The questioner thinks these are simple questions, but is afraid of being heard and laughed at.

I'd like to share with the questioner what the humanistic psychologist Adler once said: "All human troubles come from interpersonal relationships."

Our problems are the toughest to handle and the toughest to solve. Who's to say they'll be handled properly?

Solving a math problem might have a standard process and answer, but relationships with others are different. How do we know what the standards and processes should be?

Let's go back to childhood, especially on this path of knowledge. What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks for your time. I'm Jiusi from Yixinli. I love you all!