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 during their life some type of mental disorder.

And it is that the human psyche is continually subjected to great tensions, environments and problematic situations that facilitate the appearance of states of great suffering or great difficulties or even inability to cope with the source of your discomfort. That 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 nevertheless 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.

• Related article: "The 18 types of mental illness"

The most common reasons for psychological consultation

Then we leave you with a total of sixteen of the most common reasons for a client or patient Go to the consultation of a psychologist or psychologist (some of them focused or specialized in certain areas). Among them we can find from mental disorders to complex situations difficult to handle but that 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 that actually more than a disorder refers to a response of great anxiety, stress, or emotional distress greater than expected and affecting various levels of functionality in the day-to-day of the subject, which are derived from a stressful situation or event clearly identifiable, which is the origin of the alteration and which occurs within three months (usually before the 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 jobs, who suffer from work stress, who have emigrated and still do not feel the new home as such, who have been separated, who suffer from mobbing or bullying, who have been evicted or who have been diagnosed of a disease.

Is about painful situations in which they generate severe and / or ongoing stress which surpasses the subject and which is not known how to cope, although generally they do not require treatment psychological beyond support and counseling (unless it is complicated and some other type of disturbance develops).

• You may be interested: "Mixed Adjustment Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments"

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 I, the environment and the future are perceived in a negative way), a series of symptoms has been experienced, among which stands out (and at least one of them is necessarily present) the presence of a sad mood and anhedonia or loss of ability to feel pleasure in things that were satisfying before.

Other frequent symptoms are sleep problems (both insomnia and hypersomnia), loss of appetite and / or libido, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, passivity, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, isolation and thoughts of death.

• Related article: "Are there several types of depression?"

3. Anxiety: Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

As we have just indicated, anxiety is together with depression (and generally in a comorbid way) one of the most frequent mental problems or disorders. There are many existing anxiety disorders, some of which are panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

The first of them is characterized by the presence of recurring episodes of panic attacks in which physiological symptoms appear such as sweating, palpitations, chest pain, intestinal discomfort or a feeling of suffocation, often together with the fear of dying from these symptoms, to go crazy or lose 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 ​​recurrence or possible consequences, which can lead to avoidance behaviors that in turn greatly limit the life of the subject.

Generalized anxiety disorder involves the existence for at least six months of constant anxiety and worry and hardly controllable by different causes (which can vary and refer to aspects that rationally the subject himself can be considered little relevant) and that generate fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating, tension and / or sleep problems. That is why find a psychologist that you can deal with these kinds of problems is important.

4. Phobias

Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder that is extremely common in our society, and that is based on the existence of a high level of dread, fear and anxiety (at a level that the subject himself usually recognizes as irrational or disproportionate) in the presence of some type of stimulus or situation, which is even capable of causing panic attacks or anxiety crisis.

Due to the fear or dread generated, the subject perform behaviors and actions that allow avoiding the phobic stimulus or you will remain in the presence of it but experiencing extreme anxiety.

This definition immediately suggests specific phobias, such as blood / injection / harm, flying phobia, certain animals (especially frequent within these are those linked to spiders, insects and dogs), the phobia of heights or the claustrophobia. In addition to the aforementioned and other specific phobias we can find other very common cases: social phobia or agoraphobia.

• You may be interested: "Types of Phobias: Exploring Fear Disorders"

5. Neurodevelopmental disorders

Although when we talk about a consultation with a psychologist we usually think of the one with adults or adolescents as a patient, the truth is that it is also very common (and in fact it is one of the types of population on which a consultation is carried out in less time, given the concern that most parents have for their sons) meet with psychologists specialized in child psychology. And although it is possible to find different mental disorders in children, some of the most consulted are the so-called neurodevelopmental disorders.

One of the most common reasons for consultation within neurodevelopmental disorders are specific learning disorder (including, for example, dyslexia or dyscalculia), along with deficit disorder attention with (or without) hyperactivity or ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (including the former Asperger).

Communication or motor disorders (such as tic disorder or Tourette's disorder are also common.

6. Addictions and substance use disorders

An addiction is defined as the habitual realization / consumption of some type of behavior which generates physical or psychological dependence According to the organism, it is acquiring tolerance to this and over which control is lost, generating the attempt to stop said behavior a state of great discomfort, desire to consume / carry out the behavior and anguish (together with possible physiological symptoms that depending on the case can even lead to death) and continuing 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 related to substances, among which They highlight the dependence on alcohol, cannabis (Despite popular belief, its habitual use can lead to dependence), cocaine or heroin. In addition to the addiction itself, abusive uses (without having reached the addiction yet) or other related disorders (for example, induced psychosis) can be treated.

Returning to the addictions themselves, there are also behavioral addictions such as compulsive shopping, addiction to new technologies (including cell phones, video games), sex addiction or even addictions socio-affective.

7. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Another reason for consultation is known as post-traumatic stress disorder, an alteration in which as consequence of having lived or witnessed a traumatic experience (sexual abuse, assassination attempts, war conflicts ...) the person who has suffered or witnessed it experiences re-experiences of the event in thoughts and intrusive and persistent memories, nightmares, physiological reactions, feeling short of the future, hyperalert or hyperarousal, loss of interest, possible feelings of guilt, possible dissociations such as psychogenic amnesia, depersonalization or derealization, anxiety and restlessness or avoidance behaviors among others.

8. Cognitive impairment and dementias

Although in this case we are talking about a reason for consultation that is usually limited mainly to neuropsychiatry and neuropsychology, not being so common Regarding other types of psychological consultation, it is necessary to mention the importance of cognitive impairment and especially dementias within psychology and psychiatry.

These types of conditions they tend to cause great suffering both to those who suffer them and to their families and caregivers, given that 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 functions as much as possible deteriorated.

• Related article: "Types of dementias: the 8 forms of loss of cognition"

9. Managing emotions, self-esteem and personal interaction problems

It is more common than one 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), finding ways to increase the level of self-esteem (for example, in people who have suffered continuous bullying at school or at work) or difficulties in establishing relationships stable, deep and consistent personalities without this necessarily having to exist (although in some cases it may be) a disorder behind.

All of this can be approached from different perspectives and techniques.

10. Relationship and family conflicts

Another relatively frequent reason for psychological consultation occurs to specialists in family and couples therapy. The problems dealt with in this sense are often based on conflict, miscommunication, and dysfunctional dynamics and roles in relationshipsThe 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

While it is generally something that until recently has been taboo and many of the people who suffer some type of sexual dysfunction live it 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 being increasingly consulted with professionals.

Although in some cases we are dealing with a problem of organic cause, these problems often have either a cause or an important psychological component (such as anxiety). Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation stand out as the most frequent problems in men, while that hypoactive sexual desire is the most prevalent in women (followed by orgasmic disorder feminine).

12. Eating disorder

Especially linked to the culture of the cult of the body and the canons of beauty 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 those who do it. suffers without direct action to that end, some of them being considered very dangerous.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa stand out as the most common, especially in pubescent women and young people (although it can appear in childhood, in maturity, and although it usually occurs to a lesser extent also in males). 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, self-dystonic and intrusive thoughts that are experienced with great anxiety and guilt by the person who suffers and that often lead to performing rituals in order to lower the level of anxiety, rituals called compulsions that, although initially slightly decrease anxiety, end up reinforce the appearance of intrusive thoughts, forming a continuous cycle between obsession and compulsion that largely occupies the subject's time and generates a great suffering.

14. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Another type of habitual patient in the consultations of psychology and psychiatry professionals is that of people with psychotic disorders.

Among them, schizophrenia stands out, 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 population general).

This disorder is characterized by the presence for at least six months of symptoms such as hallucinations (usually auditory) and delusions, disorganized language, agitation or derailments in language, catatonia, poverty of thought or praise, apathy or apathy, being necessary that at least one of the first three is 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 that can lead to fights and conflicts, thoughts and even delusions of grandeur, decreased judgment, sleep and eating disorders, performance of risk behaviors and high impulsivity, among others) that can be alone or followed / preceded by depressive episodes in the case of type 1 bipolar disorder or at least one episode hypomanic (less intense, severe and lasting than manic but sharing most of their symptoms) followed or preceded by at least one depressive episode in bipolar disorder type 2.

This disorder generates great suffering to those who suffer from it, and usually requires mainly a good pharmacological treatment together 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 that of mental disorder, the truth is that many people with medical conditions can benefit from psychological therapy, What a type of therapy that can help you get better (although without ever replacing medical treatment) either through the treatment of emotional disturbances or cognitive that may arise after the diagnosis or through techniques that may favor an improvement or a better forecast.

This includes from fields such as psycho-oncology to other applications in people with problems heart, metabolic (including thyroid problems or diabetes), lung or respiratory (asthma, due to example).

One of the examples that is seen more and more frequently is that of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease whose main symptom is generalized musculoskeletal pain, which if well until a few years ago it was not recognized (it was even doubted that it was a real disease) it is highly frequent.

It is common in conjunction 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, avoidance behaviors, isolation and socio-labor difficulties that can 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.