Why Your Doctor Is Better Than ChatGPT for Mental Health
In a world where answers are just a click away, it's tempting to turn to Google or an AI chatbot for advice on everything, including our mental well-being. However, when it comes to serious issues like depression and anxiety, a leading psychiatrist advises that we should log off and seek professional, human help instead.
Mental Health Isn't a Weakness It's Human
Dr. Lee Chung Wah, a senior lecturer in psychiatry at Taylor’s University, wants to make one thing clear: it is perfectly normal to struggle sometimes. Many people mistakenly view depression as a sign of weakness, but the reality is that life's challenges affect us all, and everyone has a breaking point.
"It’s OK to be not OK," Dr. Lee states. "But you need to know when to get treatment, and don’t be shy to get treatment."
He also clarifies that seeking help doesn't automatically mean a lifetime on medication. While severe disorders might require long-term treatment to address chemical imbalances, common conditions like anxiety and depression can often be managed effectively through talk therapy with a psychologist.
When Is It Time to Seek Professional Help
How can you tell if what you're feeling is a temporary slump or something that requires professional attention? Dr. Lee suggests watching for these three key indicators:
- Too Intense: Your symptoms are overwhelming, such as anxiety so severe it causes a panic attack.
- Too Frequent: The feelings of sadness or worry recur regularly, perhaps every month.
- Too Prolonged: The symptoms are persistent, lasting for months and negatively impacting your ability to function in daily life.
Trying to hide from these feelings and hoping they'll resolve on their own is not an effective strategy, he warns.
The Dangers of Delaying Treatment
Many people attempt to self-diagnose and "cure" themselves using online resources. Dr. Lee cautions that this approach often leads individuals to downplay their condition, believing it isn't serious unless a psychiatrist is involved.
"A lot of them will really keep until the condition deteriorates, until it is so intense, until they cannot function anymore," he explains.
By the time they finally seek help, they might be on the verge of losing their job or facing other significant life disruptions. While recovery is still achievable at this stage, the journey will be longer and more challenging. Delaying professional help can also lead to social consequences, like losing friends, and allows physical symptoms like insomnia and poor focus to go unaddressed.
How to Support a Friend in Need
If you notice a friend is struggling—perhaps they're forgetful, unable to concentrate, or having trouble at work—you can be a crucial source of support. Dr. Lee suggests gently encouraging them to seek help. You could ask if they've noticed changes in themselves and suggest, "Have you ever thought about maybe seeking a doctor’s opinion, or help?"
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
Dr. Lee notes that mental health is often treated as a taboo topic. The best way to break this stigma is to talk about it openly, just as we would with physical illnesses like diabetes. If a friend tells you they have depression, respond with empathy and normalize their experience by asking if they are getting treatment. "You have to be able to generalise and say that ‘this is a normal thing. You are not the only one having this problem’," he advises.
Your First Step to Getting Help
Seeking help doesn't mean you have to go straight to a psychiatrist. A great first step is visiting a family medicine doctor at a government clinic or a general practitioner (GP) at a private clinic. These doctors can provide an initial diagnosis and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist if needed.
Understanding the Path to Recovery
Recovery from depression and anxiety involves addressing various factors, including biological, social, and environmental ones. For instance, if your stress is work-related, the solution might involve changing your job or learning new strategies to manage workplace demands.
Your mindset also plays a huge role. "The way you think, the way you look at yourself, look at other people, and look at the world, also can make you more easily depressed, more easily anxious," Dr. Lee says. In these cases, treatment may involve medication to stabilize the condition, combined with psychological therapy to help reshape negative thought patterns into more positive and resilient ones.
