Have you considered that some of what you are coming to therapy with are really habits that have been formed over time?

Not all symptoms are a chronic mental health diagnosis

Our habits and behaviors are often deeply ingrained, developed over many years of experience and reinforced through repetition. This is true not only for our physical habits but also for our mental health habits. Habits such as negative self-talk, avoidance, and procrastination can contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

However, the good news is that habits can be adjusted and replaced with more positive behaviors that can help reduce symptoms. In therapy, we can work to identify the habits that are contributing to mental health symptoms and develop strategies to adjust them.

It's important to recognize that many of these habits may have been formed in childhood and may have served a purpose at that time, but are no longer helpful. For example, as a child, you may have learned to avoid certain situations to protect yourself from harm, but as an adult, this avoidance may contribute to anxiety and limit your ability to engage fully in life.

By becoming more aware of these habits and their origins, we can begin to develop new, more adaptive habits. For example, if negative self-talk is a habit that contributes to depression, we can work on developing more positive self-talk and learning to reframe negative thoughts in a more positive light. If avoidance is a habit that contributes to anxiety, we can work on gradually exposing ourselves to feared situations in a safe and supportive environment.

It's important to remember that changing habits takes time and effort. It can be challenging to break free from long-standing habits, especially when they have been reinforced over many years. However, with the right support and guidance, it is possible to adjust habits and reduce mental health symptoms.

If you're struggling with mental health symptoms, consider working with a therapist to identify the habits that may be contributing to your symptoms and develop strategies to adjust them. By taking an active role in your mental health and working to adjust unhelpful habits, you can create a more positive and fulfilling life.