By Rysha Sultania
These are trying times. In the current scenario, more than ever, people require assistance to take care of themselves and their families. The world is at a standstill for physical health but that leaves us with a question of just how important mental health is right now. Of course, there is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety in the air right now and people are finding it increasingly difficult to grapple with such challenging emotions. Due to stringent lockdown measures and rising cases, the public now prefers to stay home and miss their therapy sessions as their psyche can “afford” to take a backseat. Indeed, they are mistaken.
Digital mental health treatment often involves working your way through a structured, online program based on standard, evidence-based psychological treatment methods.Many are based on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), whereby you learn to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your symptoms.
Today through our smart-phones, laptops, and numerous online devices, it has become very easy to experience a therapy session, consultation, workshop or even a mental health webinar from the comfort of your homes. As these apps include video conferencing, they even reduce the mechanical distaste of staring at a blank screen while pouring your heart out. Some people are uncomfortable opening up to a health professional face-to-face; they prefer the anonymity of online assistance.
Where email communication with a health professional is involved, we can take our time to read and respond to emails. A number of the services are freely available and there are no added travel costs.
For some people, especially those in remote areas, no other mental health services are accessible to them. It is also proven to be quite effective as it retains a shred of normalcy during these times and doesn’t allow people to slip back in their progress on dealing with their personal demons. Many have reported that the online method actually worked better for them, allowing them to cut traffic and work around their schedules without the hassle of regular life.
Of course there are also several disadvantages that people have come across. Certain forms of therapy like art or dance therapy are difficult to execute without physical contact for obvious reasons whereas certain disorders like psychosis and OCD may actually be exacerbated by the digital method of healthcare. Moreover people who have difficulties in dealing with technology and its many ramifications may find it unnecessarily harrowing and thus increase their anxiety levels. Online treatment tends also to be less effective with largely physical problems rather than those related more to emotions, thoughts and behaviour, but again there are exceptions to this. Many physical health conditions, such as cancer, have a psychological impact, which internet-based therapy can be effective in helping people cope with.
Digital mental health services are generally less suitable for people experiencing an
immediate crisis. But, in some cases, an online service may be the only way a person is willing to reach out for help. People dealing with multiple mental health problems can often benefit more from a
more personalized face-to-face approach – though web-based programs that tailored treatment to the individual’s reported symptoms are available.
Thus in a nutshell it is safe to say that technology may just be the medicine for the
mind right now. Go pop a pill of it if ya need to!
References:
https://theconversation.com/is-online-therapy-as-good-as-talking-face-to-face-with-a-clinician-
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