In Ukraine, the trend of visiting psychologists is on the rise. An expert has warned Ukrainians about a troubling tendency.

Psychotherapy as a Fashion Trend

Psychotherapist and lecturer at Boris Grinchenko University Anna Sobchak expresses outrage that more and more Ukrainians are turning to psychologists not out of real need, but simply to demonstrate their status.

«My students proudly tell me that someone has hallucinations, someone has ADHD, and someone else has an autism spectrum disorder. Because it is both 'fashionable' and trendy, and a certain indicator of financial means, as not everyone can afford regular visits to a psychotherapist,» notes the expert.

The expert emphasizes that mental disorders have become a fashion, and psychotherapy is merely a status symbol that is not so easy to attain.

Errors in Parenting and Psychotherapy

Sobchak believes that the popularity of psychotherapy in Ukraine is a reaction to the past when mental health was not considered important. Now we can observe opposite extremes: from ignoring to excessive focus.

«Back then, there was no 'I', only 'we', there was a cult of public interests. Now everything has changed, and it is time for hyper-focus on oneself. The same mistake, the same extremes are observed in parenting. From ignoring, we have moved to adoration, which harms both the children and the parents. Here, balance and healthy boundaries are crucial,» explains the expert.

According to the psychotherapist, parents are now too focused on providing their children with attention and comfort without considering balance. This can negatively affect everyone – both the children and adults.