9 signs you should think about seeing a therapist

Out-of-control emotions may be a sign of an issue that can improve with a professional therapist’s treatment. “If you’re eating or sleeping more or less than usual, withdrawing from family and friends, or just feeling “off,” talk to someone before serious problems develop that impact your quality of life,” writes psychiatrist, Dr David Sack, for Psychology Today. “If these feelings escalate to the point that you question whether life is worth living or you have thoughts of death or suicide, reach out for help right away.”

If you don’t feel like participating in your favourite activities, a therapist can help you figure out why, says clinical psychologist Dr Marisa Alter. You could be experiencing re-entry anxiety, a common (but generally temporary) barrier to getting back to hobbies and passions you enjoyed before the pandemic. But something more serious could be at play. “[Losing interest in activities] This may be a sign of someone who is stuck in a rut,” explains says Dr Alter, “or it could be a sign of a deeper depression.” A therapist can help you assess the situation, figure out what is holding you back, and create a plan to move forwards.

People often seek out therapy when being around other people makes them nervous. “If you find yourself avoiding parties, work gatherings, or even your own friends and family, there may be a fear of judgment or underlying feelings of inadequacy,” says Dr Alter. When anxiety affects your everyday activities and interactions, therapy is a good first step towards working through it.

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While it’s fun to be spontaneous once in a while, it could be dangerous to let impulses consistently dictate your behaviour. “When you find yourself spending more than you can afford, drinking or using drugs often, making knee-jerk relationship choices, or having overblown reactions to others, it could be a sign of deeper problems,” says Dr Ryan Howes, a clinical psychologist. You may be using these behaviours to cope with or avoid dealing with difficult situations or emotions. Talking to a professional can help you identify triggers and understand underlying issues – like if impulsive decision-making points to a condition like ADHD.

If you find it hard to keep friends; or you frequently find yourself in conflict with others, therapy can help. When romantic relationships feel hard to manage feel hard to manage or not worth the effort, that is another sign you may want to speak with a professional. “Reasons for this often originate early in life,” says Dr Alter. “A discussion with a therapist about your relationship history can usually shed some light on current conflicts.” In therapy, you may strategise ways to communicate with others, or even role-play difficult conversations with the therapist as a stand-in for your friend, boss, or loved one, according to Dr Howes.

Here are 17 things psychologists wish people knew about depression.

“Many people seek therapy after a recent trauma, like the death of a loved one, an abusive relationship, a miscarriage, being unfairly treated or discriminated against at work,” says Dr Alter. “Or you may seek therapy to work through a past trauma, such as being the victim of sexual abuse as a child.” If you can’t seem to put an experience behind you, and it’s affecting your work, sleep, or relationships, consider talking to a professional. You might consider finding an EMDR-trained therapist. Research shows that this technique, short for eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), can help people manage and overcome their trauma.

“For some people, therapy is an opportunity to study themselves,” says Dr Howes. Why did you enter your chosen career? Why do you pursue relationships with unavailable people? Why do you procrastinate? Why do loud people bother you? “Understanding why we think, act, and feel the way we do can be extremely empowering,” he adds. And working with a therapist offers an opportunity to build these five skills that science says are at the root of success in life.

Sometimes people seek therapy even if they don’t need an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan. You may feel exhausted from recent events around the world or simply want the perspective of someone outside of your usual circle. “Whether you’re dealing with a divorce, a job loss, a new relationship, or a death, therapy is a great place to find the support of someone who won’t judge or lecture you, or focus on their own needs,” says Dr Howes.

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Self-care techniques like exercise, meditation, and turning to friends and family can work a charm when it comes to maintaining great mental health. But if you continue to feel overwhelmed, under pressure, stuck, or living with a shorter fuse than normal, your standard coping mechanisms may need some reinforcement.

Seeing a therapist can help you understand what’s causing you to feel less-than-at-your-best and learn new ways to work through life’s challenges. And research continues to show us that therapy works. A recent study from JMIR mHealth and uHealth surveyed patients using the digital therapy platform BetterHelp – and the researchers found that, across the board, people’s depression symptoms were significantly reduced after talking with a therapist.

Read on to discover 7 everyday habits that could increase your risk for depression.

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Source: RD.com