Hi, I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson. This is episode 28 of the savvy psychologist.

As always, I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

We'll use the best of psychology to help you be happy, healthy, and most importantly yourself.

So seeking help from a psychologist, psychiatrist or other counselor

can be a great way to get through a rough patch, get some perspective, or

optimize your life. But not everyone is down with therapy. Some, maybe you included, would rather

pass a kidney stone than make that first appointment.

So for everyone, this week we'll address some common myths and fears that may be needlessly

keeping you from getting help and feeling better.

Next week we'll cover how to talk to someone in your life who could use a psychological tune-up

but needs a gentle nudge, or maybe a compassionate kick in the head, to seek out a few sessions with a therapist.

So according to a 2007 population-based prevalence study,

29% of the population has a diagnosable disorder that's going untreated.

That's almost one in three people.

The highest treatment need was alcohol dependence and then in order depression, social anxiety and panic.

And the same study found that less than one-third of people who needed help actually got help.

So likewise a 2009 study of over 36,000 people found that in the past year

fully 4% had thought seriously about suicide or had attempted suicide and of that 4% half of those who

had contemplated suicide and one quarter of those who had attempted suicide didn't

seek help or even perceive the need for help. The take-home. There are millions

of people out there, perhaps even you or someone you love, who could benefit from a few sessions

with a good psychologist, psychiatrist, or other counselor.

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