You may have experienced stress, anxiety, or sadness and bounce back to your sound state after some time. However, there are times it may be challenging to overcome such situations, and you need to find help to get back to your original condition. If you leave them untreated, they may cause significant damage to your life, such as the inability to perform your usual daily activities. At times, you may lose your relationships or jobs. Times have changed, and mental health is now widely recognized as a vital part of our well-being. Attending therapy has also been normalized, and you shouldn’t find it strange.
It’s the safest place to speak about what you’re going through because there’s usually no judgment with professional therapists. It’s unlike talking to family or friends who may not be of much help to you because of the lack of professional training and experience in handling mental health problems. The only way to eliminate this stigma is by educating yourself on emotional health, knowing where to find counseling, and enrolling in therapy sessions. But you first must know the tale tell signs you need to see a therapist. Read below for details on this, plus how to look for one:
1- You’re Becoming Less Productive At Work Or School
Performing at school or work requires optimum concentration. But if you’re having trouble focusing or becoming less productive in everything you do, consider seeking therapy. They’ll help you discover the reasons behind your unproductivity and suggest possible treatment options.
2- Disruption In Sleeping And Eating Patterns
Stress and depression can make it extremely hard to sleep and eat. Remember, your body needs both so it can function normally. Failure to eat and sleep adequately can affect your mental health or make it worse. Likewise, stress-eating could adversely affect your health. So, if you find it challenging to maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns, seek a therapist so they can help you get to the root of the problem.
3- You Have Trouble Regulating Emotions
It’s not uncommon to experience emotional episodes daily. It could include passing through bouts of extreme anger and sadness, being irritable, or constantly worrying. Some come on the spur of the moment and vanish within no time, changing your mood for the better. But if such emotions linger for more than a day, you may need to think about talking to a therapist. A skilled one should be able to help you eliminate such emotional outbursts by getting to the root cause and recommending practical remedial solutions.
4- You Avoid Social Settings
Humans are social beings. Social places enable you to express yourself and learn ways of cultivating healthy relationships. But if you’re constantly avoiding your family, colleagues, or friends, you may have deeper problems that need a therapist’s attention. Speak to one immediately to avoid sliding into isolation.
5- You Have Difficulty Building And Maintaining Relationships
Typical relationships are bound to suffer ups and downs occasionally. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build healthy relationships. You may have a problem if you’re having difficulty creating meaningful relationships that last. Perhaps you have a pattern of leaving relationships because of insecure thoughts, or you have an issue with being too emotionally dependent on your partner or friends. As such, consider seeing a therapist who can help you know whether it’s a personality complex stemming from childhood trauma and how you can overcome it.
6- You Abuse Drugs Or Alcohol As A Way To Cope
Perhaps you turn to alcohol consumption and drugs to get over what you’re experiencing. The only disadvantage with such coping mechanisms is that once the high intoxication subsides, you’ll still experience the pain all over again. It’s only a temporary way of numbing pain, and that’s unhealthy. Drug and substance abuse may also get you into more complex problems such as health and financial issues. So, you’d want to stop the habit by speaking to a therapist for a long-lasting solution that doesn’t harm you.
7- You Have Suicidal Thoughts
It’s not normal or ethical to think or talk about self-harm. If you’re at a point where all you can think about is ending your life, speak to a therapist immediately. No matter how painful or complex your situation might be, there’s always a positive solution to it without resorting to harming yourself.
8- You’ve Experienced Trauma
Unhealed traumatic experiences may make it hard to create bonds at school, work, or personally. If you experience physical or sexual abuse, whether at a tender age or in adulthood, your defense mechanism is often to shut the memory and pretend it never happened. However, the more you don’t speak about it, the more problems arise in your physical and emotional health. So, consider talking to a therapist to start regaining your life back and leading a healthy life.
How To Find The Right Therapist
Once you identify any of the signs listed above, the most prudent course of action is to find a therapist to help treat or give you tips on managing your problems. Here are some approaches for your consideration:
1- Ask Around: If you’re new to therapy, ask around from family or friends for help on where you can find the right therapist who can handle your unique predicament.
2- Look Online: Technology is another efficient tool you can use to seek services. So, do a quick search for a ‘therapist near me.’ You can quickly find one within your locality. Book an in-person meetup with them, or have your sessions online if possible.
3- Conduct A Quick Interview: Another perfect option is interviewing your list of potential therapists to gauge their demeanor and capability to empathize with complex situations. From there you can choose the best one that can meet your needs.
What to Look For in a Therapist
As you choose your therapist, consider the following factors:
1- Personality Fit: A strong relationship is necessary for the therapy session to work. So, while looking for a therapist, have a conversation to see whether you can trust and be comfortable with them.
2- Licensing, Certifications, & Education: Check your prospective therapists licensing and certification to ascertain if they’re qualified, skilled, and legally allowed to practice. Also, check their educational background; it’s advisable to work with an experienced one who probably knows the ins and outs of therapy.
3- Specialty: Every therapist has different areas of specialization. Some of them deal with cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), focusing on assisting you with identifying and changing unhelpful behaviors. Others specialize in exposure therapy which helps decrease anxiety and fears. And others focus on person-centered therapy, wherein the therapist’s role is to listen and give you a way forward. So choose one that aligns with your needs and preferences.
4- Cost & Insurance Coverage: Therapy session costs depend on how long they take, the location, and the therapist’s qualifications and experience. So, ask for a brochure on their pricing options. It’d also be good to confirm if your health insurance can cover mental health services.
Conclusion
Many life situations require you to see a therapist. The eight above are just the tip of the iceberg. If you notice or experience any of them, seek help immediately. Attending therapy can benefit you in many ways, such as learning healthier ways of coping, improving your self-esteem, and regaining relationships with family members and friends. Your winning point is finding the right therapist who can perfectly bond with you and help you out of the mess.
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