Qualified professional approach

Only a qualified professional, after personal contact with and evaluation of an individual, can validly suggest the type of treatment that would be most suitable. But the point is this: Unresolved emotional problems are the basis for much mental anguish and for much physical torment. That fact is very clear today. And society's attitudes have changed, too; there is no longer any shame (there never should have been) in having an emotional problem and in seeking help for it. Help is increasingly available, and effective, and quite often relatively inexpensive. Few people, if any, would not be willing to spend the time and money to be cured of tuberculosis or to have an operation to remove a cancerous growth.

 Surely, it is worthwhile to invest the same amount of time and money to overcome a crippling emotional illness; It is important to emphasize that such an illness-even when the person suffering from it feels that he can take it-can have serious effects on others, especially spouse and children. Also, it is hardly wise to put off getting help in order to save money, since delay usually in- creases the amount of treatment needed. It is true, of course, that some people just do not have the money for psychiatric treatment.

Yet there are clinics at large hospitals and medical schools, and mental hygiene clinics operated by various social agencies, which often can provide therapy you might not otherwise be able to afford. Your family physician usually can provide information about such clinics.