Self Disclosure in Therapy: Benefits and Drawbacks

Introduction

Self disclosure is the process of telling other people know what one is really thinking or feeling about. There are various levels at which people self disclose to others which may vary from cliche conversation to peak communications. The type of disclosure one has depends on various factors such as trust, personality, relationship etc.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Disclosure

There are many advantages and disadvantages of self-disclosing to others. Self-disclosure to random people may lead to negative outcomes at times, while self-disclosure to family members and therapists can improve positive outcomes. One must be aware of with whom to and whom not to self-disclose.

Misuse of information, loss of respect, and control are few of the adverse effects of self-disclosure. Many people do not let out personal information about themselves for fear of being judged and to avoid the feeling of inadequacy, and some people feel very shy to start a conversation with others. 'It takes strength and courage to admit the truth.” ― Rick Riordan, The Red Pyramid

Self-disclosure can be positive and negative at the same time in some instances. For example, many food and beverages companies do not let out their product formula or recipe. It can be advantageous to the company since it can reduce plagiarism and help the company sustain its position in the market. At the same time, customers consuming it may not know about the contents and its effects. In such conditions outsiders may not know if the company is maintaining the ingredients quantity under the restricted values.

Role of Self-Disclosure

Self-disclosure can play vital roles in various situations such as doctor-patient relationships, family relationships etc. Honesty, genuine revelations, and a foundation of self-knowledge are some of the key factors for positive self-disclosure. Sharing personal problems with friends or family members can help in better problem-solving and strengthens the relationship, it also helps in reducing stress and learning other people's perspective on a situation. It can help one to achieve greater heights in life.

Failure to interact with friends and teachers at school and college levels can result in increased stress and pressure at the same time it can also result in failure to acquire adequate knowledge. One must be able to acknowledge their defects and shortcomings and ask for help at the same time. Failure to disclose at such conditions can ruin the main reason for joining the program. One should have an open mind always.

Conclusion

On the whole, I would like to summarize by saying that self-disclose can be advantageous in many conditions but not in all conditions. Hence one must be aware of the place, information, and person one can disclose to at any time so that they do not get into unwanted stress and trouble.

Works Cited

1. Lamberton, LH., & Minor-Evans, L. (2018). Human Relations, Strategies for Success. 6th Edition. McGraw-Hill Canada.