So I'm sitting here on the couch watching a sporting event. I think it's an important one. Two football teams competing to see who is the best in the world (although isn't professional football only in the United States???). As a psychologist who couldn't care less about sports, I find myself thinking about an interesting "competition" of sorts that I sometimes see in sessions, but it may not be exactgly what you might think.
On a pretty regular basis clients will be hesitant to share things that are bothering them because "it's really no big deal" or "other people have it so much worse." I don't say this too often, but just stop it. Mental health isn't a competition where only those with the worst issues get to participate. If you are struggling with something, don't dilute your problems because someone else has it worse. You know what? Someone always has it worse. Your struggles are real, and you owe it to yourself to address them.
There is no Super Bowl in therapy. In the course of a day I see folks struggling with really severe stuff, as well as folks whose stuff isn't quite as severe. You know what? Everyone gets the same attention from me, regardless of the severity of your stuff. If you feel like your stuff isn't as bad as some other folks, be thankful, and then do what you need to do to get a handle on it. We can all win when it comes to mental health.
