Most people will not admit to seeing a mental health therapist for various reasons. Whether you tell people or not, it is important to know when it is a good idea to go in. If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, you may want to consider seeing a therapist.
1. Stressful environment
There is such a thing as the perfect amount of stress. It is enough stress to keep you motivated but not so much that it leaves you feeling burned out. Usually the big indicators are work and home life suffering. This can include people telling you they are concerned about you or your personal view of the world. Unrelenting stress can lead to exhaustion both physically and mentally. The family unit is especially vulnerable to this because there is generally no other place to release stress. Sometimes just coming together as a family and venting to someone that is not part of your life helps a great deal. Therapists are also great at helping your family build skills to reduce this affect in the future.
2. Physical symptoms
Most of us will experience some form of physical symptoms when life gets too stressful. Grinding your teeth, stomachache and racing heart rate are all examples of this. A therapist can help you and your family notice when this is happening and teach relaxation skills to calm yourself down, along with getting help from others.
3. Rumination
If we have experienced something that is not in our control, thoughts can spin in our heads without resolution. This increases anxiety and can create problems with attention span. This is where therapy can be used as a tool. You can discuss these issues with your therapist and make some sense from it (even if there is no real world resolution possible).
4. Losing the love
Have you lost all love for activities you once enjoyed? This can be an indication of high levels of stress and possible depression symptoms. Determining if your interests are just evolving or if life has become dull due to underlying reasons is crucial. Either way, your therapist can help you create a plan for success.
5. Substance Use
When we think of 'substance use' we generally think of drugs and alcohol, but this can also include caffeine and sugar. If you find that this is how you are coping, and it is becoming a detriment to your well-being, talking with a therapist is a must. They can help you develop different coping skills that are healthy and are not causing you or those close to you harm.
6. Souring relationships
Our romantic relationships are not immune to the stresses of life and often times contribute to it. So if you are having increasing intensity and frequency of conflict with your partner, it might be time to consider counseling. If your partner is willing to attend with you, even better. But this souring is not exclusive to romantic partners. Our friends and other family members are the people you count on to tell you if you have broccoli in your teeth, so you should trust them if they have pointed out concerns about your well-being. It is important to get objective and rational information from them and work through these issues with your therapist.
7. Find the real you
Most of the above are conflicts in our life that cause us to seek some help. But another reason to see a therapist devoid of conflict is for self-discovery. Therapists can help you gain an objective assessment of your life and who you are along with your goals and who you would like to be. As we go through life, we usually have little time to sit and discuss how we would like to change our life for the better. So taking an hour here and there is a great way to find the real you and create achievable goals.
Remember, you always have options in choosing your therapist so interview a few to make sure you and your family feel comfortable with them. Therapists want you to get the most out of your treatment, and a good fit is crucial. To find a therapist in your area check out Psychology Today or Good Therapy.
