Are Counselors / Therapists More Likely to have Mental Disorders?

This video answers a few questions: Are mental health counselors more likely to have mental disorders than the general population? Which mental disorders are uncommon among mental health counselors? Which mental disorders are disproportionately prevalent among mental health counselors? They are certain mental disorders that appear to be underrepresented among the population of practicing psychotherapists (professional counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other related professions). Mental disorders like personality disorders, intermittent explosive disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and some others appear to be relatively uncommon. Mental a higher prevalence in the mental health counselor population would include major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. There are a variety reasons why this is the case. Mental disorders that have an association with criminality would be underrepresented because it's difficult to find employment as a mental health counselor with a criminal record. Mental disorders that are overrepresented may be observed because individuals with these disorders developed an interest in counseling or because the disorders were developed as a result of being exposed to traumatic events and stress as a counselor. There are also a variety of reasons why mental health counselors would not seek treatment including limited access, low comfort level, low trust for other counselors, and the stigma associated with mental disorders. The stigma of mental illness affects clients in counselors alike.