How do I know if I need therapy? | 3 min read

If you ask this question, you know you must go to therapy. Life is rarely without challenges; some challenges can be so overbearing that it seems impossible to move on. Whether it’s the death of a loved one or overwhelming feelings of anxiety, it’s essential that you know that help is available for every problem life throws your way.

Therapy – also known as counselling, psychotherapy, and talking therapy – involves you talking with a trained professional about your mental health issues or anything else troubling you. Finding someone to talk to provides connection, comfort, and understanding, offering opportunities to talk about shared experiences and preventing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

What are the reasons you might need therapy?

Loss

Death is unavoidable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. A psychologist can help you find appropriate ways to cope with the death of someone close to you.

Stress and anxiety

Certain facets of life are stressful, and many situations, from a job interview to relationship problems, can cause you to feel anxious. A psychologist can help you manage stress and anxiety by finding the source or the cause of your concerns and appropriate ways to overcome them.

Depression

Overwhelming feelings of helplessness or hopelessness are common signs of depression. Depression is a common mental health disorder where people lose interest in things, experience fatigue, and often have trouble managing their emotions. Psychologists can help you find the source of depression.

Family and relationship issues

Family, personal, or work-related relationships have their ups and downs. Working with a psychologist individually or in a group setting can help address issues that can form in even the most vital relationships.

Unhealthy habits and addictions

Smoking, drinking, and drug use are often used to escape more significant underlying problems or to self-medicate. While your psychologist will help you get to those problems, they can also help you tackle the problems immediately facing your health, such as addictions, eating disorders, stress management, and sleeping problems.

Mental clarity

A psychologist can help you improve your mental clarity by acting as an unbiased set of ears. Psychologists are trained to be great listeners.

Mental disorders

They’re often disguised as something else and can only be uncovered with the help of a mental health professional. Some mental disorders with varying symptoms include bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

You might need therapy if you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, or addiction.

What are the common symptoms of a mental health problem?

1. Feeling anxious.
2. Generally feeling overwhelmed with everything.
3. Overthinking and feeling as though you cannot ‘switch off’ from your thoughts.
4. Feeling low and more tearful than usual.
5. Getting angry more easily or struggling to regulate your emotions.
6. Sleeping more or less than usual.
7. Eating more or less than usual. 
8. Avoiding socialising with other people.
9. Uninterested in activities or hobbies you used to enjoy doing.
10. Struggling at work, university, or school.
11. Feeling hopeless and as though there’s no way out.
12. Using substances such as drugs or alcohol to help you get through the day.
13. Have thoughts of harming yourself or feeling like you don’t want to live anymore.

Therapy has lots of benefits and has the potential to have a hugely positive impact on your well-being and quality of life. Effective therapy can improve multiple areas of your life, benefiting you emotionally, socially, and professionally and even helping you to feel better physically.

Sources