Most of them lie in therapy. What's wrong with that and how do you express yourself better?

But know that lying in therapy is never a positive thing, no matter how laudable the intention, for example, may seem.

Why is it better to be honest?

Honesty is essential for personal growth and treatment success, says Flavio Henrique Nascimento, a psychiatrist at UFPI (Federal University of Piaui). Both patient and therapist must work together, through trust and mutual understanding. “With false or incomplete information, the relationship ends up being undermined, direction is limited and progress is hindered,” says the doctor.

In practice, self-knowledge, skill development, and coping with situations and changes are delayed or prevented. “The main person who is harmed by lies is the patient himself, who may also have the idea of ​​devaluing the treatment, believing that it is not useful to help him,” adds Larissa Laureano, psychiatrist and professor at Afya Educação Médica de Fortaleza.

The risk of receiving incorrect diagnoses and prescriptions also increases. If false symptoms or improvements are involved, unnecessary medications may be used or discontinued. There is even a risk of early exit.

Do you have more? If the lie is discovered, the psychiatrist may find himself in a delicate ethical situation, especially if he is involved in issues of confidentiality and patient protection. The warning against invention therefore applies to those who lie and to those who often seek to downplay or omit facts.