The 16 Most Common Reasons For Psychological Consultation
As reflected by the World Health Organization in 2016, One in four people suffers or will suffer from some type of mental disorder throughout their lives
And the human psyche is continually subjected to great tensions, problematic environments and situations that facilitate the appearance of states of great suffering or great difficulties or even inability to deal with the source of their discomfort. This is why the figure of the psychologist will continue to be increasingly necessary worldwide, as a support figure with which to achieve the necessary improvement or treatment.
There are many reasons that can lead a person to require psychological help, but some of them are more common than others. That is why throughout this article we are going to reflect several of the most common reasons for psychological consultation as well as its characteristics and symptoms.
The most common reasons for psychological consultation
Below we leave you with a total of sixteen of the most common reasons for a client or patient to visit a psychologist (some of them focused or specialized in certain areas). Among them we can find everything from mental disorders to complex situations that are difficult to manage but do not necessarily include the existence of a disorder, such as those linked to interpersonal relationships
There are also other problems such as personality disorders, but although many are relatively prevalent, they are not usually a reason for consultation.
1. Adaptive disorder
One of the most common reasons for consultation in the clinic, and which actually refers to more than a disorder a response of great anxiety, stress or emotional discomfort greater than expected and affecting various levels of functionality in the subject’s daily life, which derive from a clearly identifiable stressful situation or event, which is the origin of the alteration and which occurs within three months (generally before one month). after the event in question.
If the person manages to resolve this situation, the discomfort ends up disappearing within six months.
This is the case, for example, of people who have lost their job, who suffer from work stress, who have emigrated and still do not feel the new home as such, who have separated, who suffer from mobbing or bullying, who have been evicted or who have been diagnosed with a disease.
Is about painful situations in which they generate severe and/or continued stress which overwhelms the subject and which one does not know how to deal with, although generally they do not require psychological treatment beyond support and advice (unless it becomes complicated and some other type of alteration develops).
2. Depression
major depression It is the most prevalent mental disorder worldwide (along with anxiety-related disorders).
Depression is understood as a disorder in which for at least two weeks, continuously for most of the day on most days (and a context in which the self, the environment and the future are perceived in a different way). negative), a series of symptoms have been experienced among which the most notable (and at least one of them is necessarily present) is the presence of a sad mood and anhedonia or loss of ability to feel pleasure in things that were previously satisfactory.
Other common symptoms are sleep problems (both insomnia and hypersomnia), loss of appetite and/or libido, difficulties concentrating, hopelessness, passivity, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, isolation and thoughts of death.
3. Anxiety: Panic disorder and Generalized anxiety disorder
As we have just indicated, anxiety is, along with depression (and generally comorbidly), one of the most frequent mental problems or disorders. There are many existing anxiety disorders, some common ones being panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
The first of them is characterized by the presence of recurrent episodes of panic attacks in which physiological symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, chest pain, intestinal discomfort or a feeling of suffocation appear, frequently together with the fear of dying from these symptoms, of going crazy or losing control and together with the feeling of derealization and depersonalization (having the feeling that the environment or the person themselves seem to be unreal).
These attacks and the associated discomfort cause anxiety and panic. at the idea of ​​their repetition or possible consequences which can lead to avoidant behaviors that in turn greatly limit the subject’s life.
Generalized anxiety disorder implies the existence for at least six months of constant anxiety and worries that are difficult to control due to different causes (which may vary and refer to aspects that the subject himself may rationally consider not relevant) and that generate fatigue, irritability, problems concentrating, tension and/or sleep problems. That is why finding a psychologist who can treat these kinds of problems is important.
4. Phobias
Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder that is extremely common in our society, and is based on the existence of a high level of dread, fear and anxiety (at a level that the subject themselves usually recognizes as irrational or disproportionate). when faced with the proximity of some type of stimulus or situation, which is even capable of causing panic attacks or anxiety crises.
Due to the fear or dread generated, the subject will carry out behaviors and actions that allow avoiding the phobic stimulus or you will remain in its presence but experiencing extreme anxiety.
This definition immediately makes one think of specific phobias, such as blood/injection/harm, phobia of flying, phobia of certain animals (especially common among these are those linked to spiders, insects and dogs), phobia of heights or claustrophobia. In addition to the aforementioned and other specific phobias we can find other very common cases: social phobia or agoraphobia
5. Neurodevelopmental disorders
Although when we talk about a consultation with a psychologist we usually think of one that has adults or adolescents as patients, the truth is that it is also very common (and in fact it is one of the types of population on which it is carried out in the shortest time). a consultation, given the concern that most parents have for their children) meet psychologists specialized in child psychology And although it is possible to find different mental disorders in children, some of the most frequently consulted are the so-called neurodevelopmental disorders.
One of the most common reasons for consultation within neurodevelopmental disorders is specific learning disorder (including, for example, dyslexia or dyscalculia), along with attention deficit disorder with (or without) hyperactivity or ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (including former Asperger’s).
Communication or motor disorders (such as tics or Tourette’s disorder) are also common.
6. Addictions and substance use disorders
An addiction is defined as the habitual performance/consumption of some type of behavior which generates physical or psychological dependence As the organism acquires tolerance to it and over which control is lost, the attempt to stop said behavior generates a state of great discomfort, desire to consume/perform the behavior and anxiety (along with possible physiological symptoms that, depending on the case. they can even lead to death) and continue despite knowing that it has consequences on the health or functionality of the person.
In this sense, some of the most common addictions are those linked to substances, among which They highlight dependence on alcohol, cannabis (despite popular belief, its habitual consumption can generate dependence), to cocaine or heroin. In addition to the addiction itself, abusive consumption can be treated (without addiction having yet been achieved) or other related disorders (for example, induced psychoses).
Returning to the addictions themselves, there are also behavioral addictions such as compulsive buying, addiction to new technologies (including mobile phones, video games), sex addiction or even socio-affective addictions.
7. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Another reason for consultation is what is known as post-traumatic stress disorder, an alteration in which, as consequence of having lived or witnessed a traumatic experience (sexual abuse, murder attempts, war conflicts…) the person who has suffered or witnessed it experiences re-experiencing the event in intrusive and persistent thoughts and memories, nightmares, physiological reactions, a feeling of foreshortening of the future, hyperalertness or hyperactivation, loss of interest, possible feelings of guilt, possible dissociations such as psychogenic amnesia, depersonalization or derealization, anxiety and restlessness or avoidant behaviors, among others.
8. Cognitive impairment and dementia
Although in this case we are talking about a reason for consultation that is usually limited mainly to neuropsychiatry and neuropsychology, and is not as common in other types of psychological consultation, it is necessary to mention the importance of cognitive impairment and especially dementia within psychology. and psychiatry.
These types of conditions They usually cause great suffering to both those who suffer from them and their families and caregivers since those affected lose mental faculties over time as their nervous system undergoes progressive neuronal degeneration.
The work usually focuses on the rehabilitation and maintenance of autonomy and functions for as long as possible, the search for compensatory strategies and cognitive stimulation in order to preserve the impaired functions as much as possible.
9. Management of emotions, self-esteem and personal interaction problems
It is more common than you might think that the reason for consulting a psychologist is not a mental disorder per se, but the existence of difficulties in aspects such as emotion management (highlighting anger or sadness), the search for ways to increase the level of self-esteem (for example in people who have continually suffered bullying at school or at work) or difficulties in establishing stable, deep and consistent personal relationships without thereby There must be (although in some cases there may be) a disorder behind it.
All of this can be approached from different perspectives and techniques.
10. Relationship and family conflicts
Another relatively common reason for psychological consultation is with specialists in family and couples therapy. The problems addressed in this sense They are often based on conflict, miscommunication, and dysfunctional dynamics and roles in relationships the existence of any type of disorder is not necessary (although in some cases the cause of conflict may be an organic disease or a mental disorder).
11. Sexual dysfunctions
Although it is generally something that until recently has been taboo and many people who suffer from some type of sexual dysfunction live with shame (something that in many cases leads to not consulting), the normalization of sexuality and the search for a satisfactory sexuality means that little by little this type of problem is increasingly being consulted with professionals.
Although in some cases we are dealing with a problem with an organic cause, often these problems have either a cause or an important psychological component (such as anxiety). Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation stand out as the most common problems in men, while hypoactive sexual desire is the most prevalent in women (followed by female orgasmic disorder).
12. Eating disorders
Especially linked to the culture of body worship and the beauty canons of our time and society, eating disorders are a reality that in recent times has increased dramatically in prevalence
It is one of the few types of mental disorder that can lead to the death of the sufferer without direct action being taken to this end, some of them being considered very dangerous.
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa stand out as the most common, especially in pubescent and young women (although it can appear in childhood, in adulthood, and although it usually occurs to a lesser extent in men as well). In addition to this, there is also binge eating disorder or avoidance/restriction of food intake.
13. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is an anxiety-related disorder characterized by the presence of obsessive thoughts which are recurring, egodystonic and intrusive thoughts that are experienced with great anxiety and guilt by the person who suffers from it and that often involve the performance of rituals in order to reduce the level of anxiety, rituals called compulsions that, although Initially, they slightly reduce anxiety and end up reinforcing the appearance of intrusive thoughts, forming a continuous cycle between obsession and compulsion that largely occupies the subject’s time and generates great suffering.
14. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Another type of patient that is common in the consultations of psychology and psychiatry professionals is that of people with psychotic disorders
Among them, schizophrenia stands out especially, probably one of the best-known mental disorders and the most prevalent among those who are part of the psychotic spectrum (with a prevalence of approximately 1% of the general population).
This disorder is characterized by the presence for at least six months of symptoms such as hallucinations (usually auditory) and delusions, disorganized speech, agitation or language derailments, catatonia poverty of thought or alogia, abulia or apathy, it being necessary that at least one of the first three be present.
15. Bipolar disorder
Another of the most relevant affective disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by the presence of one or more manic episodes (characterized by extreme euphoria, irritability and hostility, which can lead to fights and conflicts, thoughts and even delusions of grandeur, decreased ability of judgment, sleep and eating disorders, risky behavior and high impulsivity, among others) that can be alone or followed/preceded by depressive episodes in the case of bipolar disorder type 1 or at least one hypomanic episode ( less intense, severe and lasting than manic but sharing most of their symptoms) followed or preceded by at least one depressive episode in bipolar type 2 disorder.
This disorder causes great suffering to those who suffer from it, and It usually requires mainly good pharmacological treatment along with psychological treatment when the subject is stable.
16. Health Psychology: Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and other medical problems
Although the figure of the psychologist is generally associated with mental disorders, the truth is that many people who suffer from medical illnesses can benefit from psychological therapy, such as a type of therapy that can contribute to your improvement (although without ever replacing medical treatment) either through the treatment of emotional or cognitive alterations that may arise after the diagnosis or through techniques that can promote improvement or a better prognosis.
This includes everything from fields such as psycho-oncology to other applications in people with heart, metabolic (including thyroid problems or diabetes), lung or respiratory problems (asthma, for example).
One of the examples that is increasingly seen more commonly is fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease whose main symptom is generalized musculoskeletal pain, which, although until a few years ago it was not recognized (it was even doubted that it was a real disease), is highly common.
It is common for it to occur together with chronic fatigue, a syndrome characterized by the presence of continued fatigue or tiredness sleeping problems and various pains.
Many times these conditions cause secondary depression, anxiety and anguish, avoidant behaviors, isolation and socio-occupational difficulties that may benefit from psychological treatment (in addition to trying to approach pain in a different and more positive way), it is common for affected people to go to some type of psychology professional.
