What Therapists Wish You Knew About Therapy

Unfortunately, mental illness is nowhere near as straightforward as physical issues. A doctor can tell you how many weeks it will take for a broken bone to heal, but no one can predict how long someone’s depression or anxiety will last. Some people only experience one-off instances of mental illness, episodes that last only a few days, weeks, or months. Others, however, have chronic issues that can last years. Also, people may live with their condition for a long time before getting diagnosed, either due to being unaware they have a mental issue or simply refuse to acknowledge it.

It is possible to have long periods of remission in between episodes of mental illness, and in such cases, it is important to discover your triggers and to recognize the warning signs of a “flare-up.” For people with long-term mental illness, coping mechanisms and medications can go a long way towards finding relief.