5 Warning Signs it is Time to See a Therapist
According to data from Mental Health America (MHA), over 50 million Americans are currently experiencing a mental illness. Due to the pandemic, these numbers have risen dramatically over the past few years. In fact, 664,000 more people have reported suicidal thoughts in 2022 than last year. Though alarming, this information isn’t meant to terrify you. If you’re going through a personal struggle, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Countless other people feel the same way, and trained professionals can guide you. If you’re feeling more anxious, depressed, and stressed than ever, then it’s probably time to seek help from a therapist. Unfortunately, due to the stigma surrounding mental health, few people do so. Trust your instincts. If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, your body is telling you it’s time to seek assistance.
1. You Can’t Get Relief
In life, we’re always grappling with challenges. Whether it’s a stressful time at work, a complicated relationship, or grief due to loss, there’s always something to contend with. When we aren’t suffering from a debilitating mental illness, we’re able to create a healthy balance between stress and joy. Things like a strong support system or a fulfilling hobby can provide us with light in dark times. However, if you feel like you can’t get any respite from overwhelming thoughts and feelings (or enjoyable things no longer give you joy) it’s probably time to see a therapist.
2. You Feel Like There’s No one to Talk To
Do you sometimes feel like your mind won’t “turn off”? Perhaps you feel like you have a lot you need to get off your chest, but there’s no one to speak to. Maybe you’re worried about burdening others with your emotions, or you’re scared they won’t understand. In some cases, you just might not have the support you need from others. A therapist is an unbiased third party who is trained to communicate with and guide you. Why not let them listen?
3. Your Normal Habits Have Changed
Throughout our lives, we’re always growing and changing. However, some of our habits can start to change in a negative way. Let’s say, for instance, that you always used to sleep soundly. Now, you can never get a good night’s rest. You wake up in the middle of the night, can’t sleep at all, or you never feel rested. Maybe you’re turning to risky behaviors or isolating yourself from family and friends. Take a step back and ask yourself if these apply to you. If they do, it’s time to see a therapist. They can help you understand these changes and translate what your body is trying to communicate to you.
4. Your Coping Mechanisms are Hurting You
We all have things we look forward to that lift our spirits: a good meal, a night out with friends, or our favorite music. When life becomes too overwhelming to bear, however, we might turn to other coping mechanisms like alcohol and drugs to ease our pain. In some cases, we may even use the dizzying effects of love and flighty romantic relationships as a sort of drug. It can seem as though these things take away all our problems. Unfortunately, this feeling is only temporary. Relying on outside elements to help us is like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. Coping mechanisms can cover up damage momentarily, but underneath the wound is still there. In actuality, these things inflict even more harm to us over time.
5. You’re Wondering if You Should See a Therapist
If your gut is telling you that you need help, listen. Chances are, you’re right. If you’re wrong, there’s nothing to lose. A therapist isn’t only there to help us when we’ve reached our lowest point. Therapy is also preventative. It’s time we prioritize our mental well-being. Most importantly, therapists can teach us how to meet life’s challenges with a fighting spirit. If you’re wondering if you can benefit from seeing a therapist, why not give it a try? In truth, everyone could benefit from added support. If you’d like, you can even receive therapy in a group or with a family member.
Meet with A Therapist and Partner with Lead4Life, Inc.
At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources and tools so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills. We also offer individual and family therapy to help you overcome obstacles of all kinds. Visit our website for more information, or contact us at 240-499-8949.
