How do I know I should see a therapist? 6 signs it's time to get help

How do I know I should see a therapist? 6 signs it's time to get help

By Lloyd Horgan, Counsellor 

Often when we think we need help, we can find that we second-guess ourselves and wonder if we really need that help or whether we can manage whatever is going on by ourselves, without help. Professional support is available because in many cases it’s needed. Just as if you broke your leg you wouldn’t try to mend it yourself, sometimes we need support in helping us overcome psychological difficulties.

Many people often choose to deal with their struggles alone due to the common perception that seeking support is a sign of weakness. In actual fact, seeking support is a strength. Seeking support is empowering yourself to move in the right direction toward wellness. There is nowhere that says we were ever supposed to go through life alone - and guess what, you don’t have to. With that in mind, we want to address the question of knowing when may be an appropriate time to reach out and seek professional support from a therapist and we hope that this article gives you just a few examples of how to know when you should see a therapist.

1. Coping with everyday life and responsibilities has become increasingly difficult for you - When our mental health is at a point where every day tasks have become a struggle or a challenge to complete, we may find ourselves missing appointments, social outings or even days at work. This may be a sign that something is wrong. Often when we are experiencing significant difficulty in our lives it makes our responsibilities become more difficult to complete. During the COVID-19 pandemic completing everyday tasks may have become more difficult which is understandable. However, make sure to pay attention to this as the world gradually returns to a state of normality. If you are still feeling this way, this may be a reason to book an appointment with a therapist.

2. You find you are no longer enjoying the things you once found enjoyable - Are you feeling like the joy is gone from what you usually enjoy doing? Feel like the wind is gone from your sails as they say? The less enthusiastic we feel about the things we would usually find enjoyable may be a sign you need to seek support. Feeling like you are no longer enjoying the things you once found enjoyable can often be a symptom of depression or significant mental health difficulty and talking with a professional can be useful to help you get back on track and enjoying the things you once loved!

3. You have been experiencing low mood or sadness more frequently than feeling balanced -  Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period it has not been uncommon for many people to report experiencing low mood. This may have been for a variety of reasons including feeling isolated and lacking routine. Feeling sad from time to time is very normal and a part of life as we all experience emotions on various levels based upon what is going on in our lives. However, when we begin to experience low mood or sadness regularly, this too may be a sign of struggle and the need for support from a professional.

4. You are lacking motivation to achieve certain goals and get where you want in your life - People can lack motivation to complete goals and tasks in their life due to a variety of reasons. These reasons often include fears, lack of self-belief or perhaps even feeling overwhelmed by the goal or task itself. Whatever the reason, we know how difficult it can be to have a goal in mind but not know how or feel like you are moving toward it. Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, with many routines being changed and interrupted it has not been uncommon to feel unmotivated especially due to such a large change in daily life. Consistently feeling unmotivated can also be associated with a number of mental health issues. Seeing a therapist can help you establish what your goals are and healthy ways for working towards them and maximising motivation and productivity.

5. You find yourself regularly feeling anxious or overwhelmed - Just like experiencing low mood and sadness, feelings of anxiety every now and again is a normal part of life. These feelings of anxiety may be related to exams, job interviews and a multitude of other reasons. During COVID-19 many people may have found themselves experiencing increased levels of anxiety due to the uncertainty and drastic changes within their environment. However, when anxiety is experienced on a frequently recurring basis and feelings of being overwhelmed are preventing you from experiencing life comfortably, this may be another reason to reach out and seek professional support to help you regulate your anxiety levels and cope more effectively.

You struggle to feel connected and build relationships with others - Feeling connected to others and our environment is so important for our wellbeing. Feeling connected allows us to feel loved and that we belong and this social support can often come from friends, family, work colleagues and more. Have you been struggling to feel connected or create meaningful relationships with others in your life? Maybe you experience anxiety even at the thought of this. With the current situation in the world regarding the pandemic it has become even harder than ever to create and maintain meaningful connections.  However do not fret, it is still possible. If you find yourself feeling disconnected and maybe even isolated, this may be an appropriate time to seek the support of a therapist in helping you address these feelings and your current experience regarding feeling connected. 

As we say on our website mymind.org we believe “Getting help and staying connected are very important factors in maintaining good mental health. Talking to a qualified professional is a proven and effective way of dealing with problems of stress or anxiety.” 

If you would like to book an appointment with a therapist at MyMind you can do so through our website. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact our office at 0818 500 800 or send an email to hq@mymind.org.