• 36% of 18-24 year olds who have consulted a psychologist or psychiatrist since the first confinement have not told anyone about this meeting.

  • However, loved ones of the sufferer can be of great help in the process of healing or improving symptoms.

  • But still it is necessary to feel the need and to have benevolent relatives.

“I have an appointment with my shrink. A very simple sentence that makes you tick. However, since the first confinement, 15% of 18-24 year olds have consulted a psychologist or psychiatrist, according to a study carried out in December 2020 by Yougov and Qare. Of these, 36% did not tell anyone about this interview. Were they right to hide their suffering from their loved ones? The question was asked of mental health professionals and young people with psychological problems.

Since her adolescence, Léa, 21, has suffered from depression.

“At the time, I didn't talk about it.

I fell into a vicious cycle of negativity, thinking that my discomfort would go away on its own.

It was wrong.

We have said it enough, when you feel bad, you have to consult a professional.

(If he is good) he will listen without judging, put words on a suffering and find ways to improve the situation.

But to get better, Léa also felt the need to confide in her friends.

Talk about it if you feel the need

“Talking about our mental health to those around us is not necessary to get better. It is only a good thing if we feel the need and if we have caring relatives ”, considers Jérôme Palazzolo, psychiatrist. "Talking about your emotions is only useful for people who, at this time, are in demand for coping - a way of dealing with things - emotional", adds Nicolas Neveux, psychiatrist in TCC * and TIP *. For these people, just being heard is good. “When we feel bad and the other shows his intention to help us in our distress, it creates an emotional appeasement. "

Conversely, if the patient struggles to hide his suffering, an additional mental load will weigh on him and tire him more.

A double sentence, in a way.

"By talking about it, the patient will finally be able to take responsibility for his symptoms", estimates Fanny Jacq, psychiatrist and founder of Qare.

And open the eyes of those around him.

Receive help

"Talking about it allows loved ones to become aware of our difficulties, because it is not just a little slack", adds Fanny Jacq.

Because if the entourage is understanding, it is a real ally in psychotherapy.

It is for this reason that professionals often invite parents, companions or companions of patients to meet them.

“This makes it possible to find together a strategy to adopt to help the patient,” explains Jérôme Palazzolo.

“My mother encourages me to do things that are difficult for me, like going shopping,” says Ophélie, 21, who suffers from anxiety.

“But if I have an anxiety attack in a store, she agrees to drop everything and go without judging me.

If Ophélie is lucky to have an understanding mother, not everyone is.

Provided that the entourage is benevolent

“We have to make sure that those around us have a benevolent look at the situation,” insists Jérôme Palazzolo. If a person says that they are depressed and that their friends no longer invite them to parties, saying that they are going to block the mood, they may regret it. To measure the confidence of the other, the psychiatrist advises not to give all of the information from the start. “You can say 'I had a difficult time'. If the person in front asks if we want to talk about it, says that they have also encountered this type of problem, that is a good sign. "

Since Lea confided in her friends, they opened up to her more easily.

“Some have told me lately that they are not doing well and that they do not know what to do.

The young woman listened to them and urged them to consult.

“One of them called me to tell me that she had made an appointment.

I was the happiest because it is really the first step to be healed.

"

* CBT: Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy

* TIP: Interpersonal therapy

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