A mental healthcare provider can be a key support in one’s life, yet it can be challenging to decide to enlist therapy’s help when life is difficult. Most of us were raised to think that seeking help is sign of weakness when, in fact, it is a very brave act that directly shows how you prioritize self-care and personal growth.
For many people struggling with emotional health issues, they aren’t quite sure where to draw the line when deciding if they should seek help or not. In order to address those concerns, we created this guide highlighting the common signs that it might be time to seek the services of a mental health therapist:
Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness
One of the most prevalent signals that it’s time to consult a therapist is when sadness, hopelessness, or despair hangs on for an extended duration. Of course, everyone feels down now and then.
However, when you can’t remember the last time you felt good for more than a minute or two, you may be suffering from something much more serious than a bad case of the blahs. You might be clinically or chronically depressed or otherwise mood-disordered.
Oppressive Anxiety
When stressed, people naturally tend to feel anxious. However, when someone feels anxious all the time and for no apparent reason, is wound so tightly that they can’t concentrate, or are exhibiting physical signs like a heart that’s racing and/or a hard time catching their breath, these are good indicators that the person has an anxiety disorder. This is an ideal issue for seeing a mental health therapist over.
Difficulty Maintaining Relationships
If you find it difficult to forge connections with other people, often find yourself embroiled in conflict, or feel as though you’re going through life alone, you might want to consider addressing these problems in therapy.
The reason for your relationship troubles could be any number of things, like unaddressed personal matters, poor communication skills, or untreated trauma. A therapist can help shine a light on your relationship problems and give you the tools to move past them.
Struggling With Self-Esteem
Every facet of your existence, from employment to personal connections, can be influenced by low self-esteem or a sense of worthlessness. If you spend a lot of time telling yourself you’re not good enough, or if you’re just not good at saying no, then therapy is a place where you can learn to do those things better, along with many other important aspects of fostering and maintaining positive mental health.
Engaging in Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
When stress or emotional pain strikes, some people lean on various unhealthy behaviors for relief. Examples include food, gambling, sex, or anything else that is unhealthy or even dangerous when done in excess. These are not “signs of weakness” but rather indicators that you need more support in dealing with life.
Mental health therapists can help you in a number of ways, such as teaching you to use more effective (and healthier) coping strategies, by getting to the bottom of what kind of pain drives you to these behaviors in the first place, and even by serving as a kind of life coach in helping you make necessary changes in your day-to-day living.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Parenting Challenges
Being a parent can be wonderful, but it can also be incredibly taxing and trying. If you find yourself teetering on the edge of overwhelmed and don’t know the next step to take, if you’re just plain exhausted from the daily grind, or if you’re uncertain about how to really support your kids in this wild world, then you might want to consider visiting a licensed therapist.
Whether you go solo or as a family unit, counseling can provide you with tools and strategies to help you feel more confident and relaxed in your role as a parent.
Feeling Like You’ve Exhausted Other Options
If you have attempted self-help measures like keeping a journal, meditating, or confiding in friends and still feel as if you are not making progress; you might want to consider seeing a therapist.
The kind of professional help that a therapist offers can often yield fresh insights and new ways of thinking about problems that are just not occurring to you in your own methods of coping.
Recognizing the Value of Prevention
You don’t have to be in crisis to see a therapist. Therapy can be a way for many to maintain mental health, develop self-awareness, and build resilience. You can go to therapy to work on your mental health even when you aren’t having a specific issue that you’re dealing with.
The Benefits of Therapy
Counseling provides a secure and discriminating environment to untangle yourself from the web of thoughts, feelings, and actions that can ensnare and confuse you. It offers a way not just to clear up the immediate obstructions and problems in your life but also to better understand the root causes of your issues.
A good therapist can present to their patients a real opportunity for making significant changes that will benefit them for the rest of their life. Working with a mental health counselor can lead to improved emotional regulation and resilience.
Choosing the Right Therapist
It is vital to find a therapist who feels like a good fit. Think about what you consider essential in a therapist and use that as a guide in your search. You should also let your potential counselor know if you have any hesitations, as this can help them better understand you.
And if meeting with a few different therapists feels right, go for it; that’s a common practice and a perfectly reasonable way to find your best fit.
Deciding It’s Finally Time to See a Mental Health Therapist
Going to therapy is not a sign of weakness but strength. It takes guts to admit you have a problem and to seek help for it. Profound personal growth coupled with a better quality of life often follows the decision to tackle one’s mental health issues head-on.
Signs that you might be in need of a mental health professional range from the commonplace of anxiety about various life issues, to the much more serious and immediate concern of contemplating suicide. Talking to someone can be an effective way to address the many problems life seems to throw at us.