Myths and Common Mistakes on the Road to Mental Health

Many people delay seeking help — or seek it in the wrong place. The reason is rarely a lack of information; it is a set of persistent myths. Dr. Saulitis identifies several fundamental mistakes he encounters time and again.

"A psychiatrist is frightening — medication will turn me into a vegetable"

This is the most common myth. Fear of psychiatry leads people to go directly to a psychotherapist or psychoanalyst, bypassing any medical assessment. Yet the right starting point is a qualified psychiatrist: first rule out serious psychiatric and somatic conditions, gather information about physical symptoms, and only then map out a treatment plan. Medication is not an inevitable outcome — but without an initial evaluation, every next step is taken blind.

"The specialist will say the right words and everything will change"

The second major mistake is expecting the therapist to "do it all for me" and for life to somehow become easier on its own. It will not. The process is long, often painful, and demands active participation from the person themselves. Counting on a fast, lasting result almost guarantees disappointment: progress may come, but it can fade just as quickly if no real work is invested.

"One specialist is enough"

Another misconception is believing that a single visit to a single professional will resolve the issue. The contemporary approach is team-based: a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, a psychologist, and social support working together. Only when all these elements function as a unit can a real outcome be expected. The psychiatrist builds the plan and, when needed, oversees medication; the psychologist helps develop concrete life skills; the psychotherapist works at deeper levels. These are distinct roles — substituting one for another is a mistake.

What to do with this understanding

Recognising these mistakes is already halfway there. The right path looks like this: begin with a qualified psychiatrist — ideally in a private setting where you receive genuine attention rather than being processed like a conveyor belt — then build a joint plan, then bring in additional specialists as needed. There is no reason to fear a lengthy process; it is precisely that process which produces lasting change.