Why friend is not enough , and when to see a therapist ?
- Dr.Mennatallah Elwan
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 19
“ Why having a therapist is better than venting to a friend?”
“ Common Mental Health Symptoms That Need Attention”
“ Celebrities Who Embrace Therapy — And Why You Should Too”
Learn how therapy supports healing from trauma, anxiety, and emotional struggles. Discover when to seek help and how therapy transforms your mental health.
When to know you Need therapy ?
Therapy in Arabs countries or in Egypt precisely been related to extreme mental symptoms or maniac only to start taking actions. For past two decades therapy would be the last door for people to knock after exhausting all other doors , as seeing a physician drinking herbs, for psychosomatic diseases, going to a The Shaikh in a mosque , locking yourself in a room for months, and eventually sitting with your old enough relative to advice you or finally going to a friend.
We are not of course underestimating the power of these support systems , its just its not totally their profession to do so. and they don’t have the right tools, knowledge, wisdom to tackle the issue, and guide you through.
Other than people experiencing extreme symptoms the rest have learnt to cope with mild anxiety, panic attacks, depression, losing sense of life , living unfulfilled experiences , remaining in an unhealthy relationships, through coping mechanisms or avoidance. serving social norms and dogmas that this is OK and normal.
Drawbacks for unprofessional support :
1-Is like you are listening to someone works in sales who is biased about his product and not around your true need.
2- He projects what worked for him not for you.
3-Privacy is not always granted.
4-Can’t truly analyze what you are going through but on his level of awareness.
5- Doesn’t work with sever condition.
6-Emotional burden on the relation.
7-Friends may enable and allow your coping mechanism like avoiding, venting , blame instead of guiding you out of it.
8- you might remain stuck in a certain level of awareness as your friend advice you are fine and nothing is wrong with you and delay proper help.
9- Later you might mask your emotion to assure your relative or friend that you became better so you don’t make him worried or cause you are embarrassed to tell him you still. down. 10- What they can do is sharing from their own life ‘lens’ and perceptions.
Symptoms you need a therapist:
· Not sleeping enough
· staying up late
· disturbed sleeping,
· not having an appetite as your usual
· out bursting for no valid reason
· over sensitivity to comments , people , places.
· Burnout easily
· Lost passion of what used to inspire you.
· Crying and cracking up over simple things.
· Constant anxiety and overthinking. · Perceived having depression.
· Avoiding people or isolation for period of time
· Perceiving losses at relationships at work, personally, or in family
· Feeling stuck not moving forward in what you aspire
· You tend to hesitate , procrastinate and motivations are not working with you.
· Feeling num and cant get inspired
· Fighting a lot with your partner or family member
· Getting constant flashbacks that terrifies you and make you stuck wither from a past trauma or future event.
· Harsh inner critic and low self esteem.
· Grief , loss or life transition.
· Tried everything and you remain stuck.
//Therapy is not only for crisis , its for anyone ready to feel better, grow and gain clarity.
àStarting before symptoms being sever give a better window for help.
// Therapy is not necessary to be after a problem , you can have your therapist to guide for future planning , business advices , how to choose future partner , what works for you and what is not.
//Having a professional therapist who knows you journey ups and down is better that only appearing in the middle of the chapter of your life.
In western world its so natural that almost everyone has his own ‘Shrenk’ psychologist to revaluate his thoughts and process his weekly emotions before it turns into an unrealized disorder.
The Importance of Therapy
Therapy provides a safe space for individuals to express their feelings and thoughts. It can help people understand their emotions and develop coping strategies.
Therapists use various techniques to guide their clients. Some of these techniques and tools are concise and focused, making them effective for many individuals.
Benefits of CBT
Structured Approach: CBT is goal-oriented and structured, making it easy to follow.
Short-Term Treatment: Many people see improvements in a few sessions.
Skill Development: Clients learn skills they can use long after therapy ends.
Example :
Celebrities Who’ve Continued Therapy Over Time
Selena Gomez – Reported attending therapy five times a week and undergoing DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), crediting it with life-changing impact.
Demi Lovato – Frequently in therapy for bipolar disorder, eating disorders, depression, and addiction. She sees a therapist twice a week.
Ariana Grande – Candid about using therapy regularly to cope with trauma and anxiety. Advocates it as a crucial part of her self-care.
Halle Berry – Has attended therapy since childhood during traumatic periods, now uses it selectively when stressed.
Michael Phelps – After battling depression and suicide-to-therapy transitions, continues counseling for emotional well-being.
Jennifer Aniston – Regular therapy as part of her self-care routine, especially during personal and professional life transitions.
Ready to begin your therapy journey? Book a session or contact Dr. Mennatallah today. Call: +201062636343 from inside Egypt or any country around the world.
By: Dr.MennatAllah Elwan
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