When to Seek a Therapist

by | Dec 13, 2022 | Coping, Mental Health, Support, Therapy

Mental health and therapy do not always have the best reputation. Thankfully, we can try and break that bad reputation and educate those around us of why therapy can be helpful and important. In order to do that, though, we need to know when we should turn to a therapist.

Why therapy?

Therapy is more than sitting on a couch across from someone and sharing every detail about your life. Therapy is a type of relationship between client and therapist. You, the client, can be sitting on that couch for a variety of reasons, and it does not just have to be because you are “ill” or sick. Anyone can see a therapist, and everyone should at some point in their life. No one’s life is perfect or without difficulties. That is what therapy is about – working with an unbiased individual through life’s difficulties. 
Now that we know therapy is for anyone and can help with any of life’s difficulties, it’s time to discuss the signs and symptoms that mean you should probably seek out a therapist. 

When to seek a therapist: Signs and symptoms 

It is important to know that you should not mistake this section as saying you HAVE to seek a therapist if you experience any one of these symptoms. Sometimes, life can be giving us a hard time and we may experience something for a day or two and then feel okay. You should CONSIDER seeking a therapist if you experience most of these, almost daily, and for a couple of weeks consistently.

Overwhelmed

This can look like a variety of different things and might be subjective to each individual. Feeling overwhelmed might look like you have a lot on your plate, you’ve been feeling forgetful because there is so much going on, and you are not sure how to get life back on track and not feeling overwhelmed.

Fatigue (sleeping too much or too little)

This might be one of the easier ones to notice. Have you noticed that you are staying awake until early hours of the morning and you are wide awake? Maybe you have noticed that you fall asleep easily and then sleep until the afternoon of the next day.

Difficulty controlling emotions

This sign might be something that you may or may not notice yourself. Sometimes, the people around us might make a comment about our emotions before we think about it. Difficulty controlling emotions can look like having unnecessary anger or rage. This could also look like crying more than you usually do or laughing at inappropriate moments.

Change in appetite

This symptom might go one of two ways. You might start eating a lot with a huge appetite, or you could stop eating almost completely with a lack of appetite.

Recent trauma

Trauma does not always have to be as severe as a death of a family member or a friend. Trauma may look like something significant changing in your life, separating from a significant other, getting bullied at school, or losing a job. 

Lack of interest in things that used to interest you

Things you used to enjoy or love doing, whether that be reading, running, watching Netflix, or hanging with friends, no longer interest you. This can also involve a general loss of interest or enjoyment in the things around you or in the world.

Hopelessness

This sign might look like thinking, “I will never be able to do ___”. This can include having a lack of motivation, losing hope, and feeling like there is no future. 

Social withdrawal

This can be pulling away from communicating with your friends, family, and other social supports. This can include not seeing them in person as much and not texting them as much.<

Reviewing When to Seek a Therapist

While this list is not all inclusive, it is a good way to start recognizing when things in your life might be getting difficult and when you might benefit from being able to talk to someone; and by someone we mean a therapist. While talking to your best friends might feel good in the moment, seeking a therapist can be better due to their unbiased stance and training in how to work with someone through these difficult times that life deals us.

About Therapist Bethany Winter, MA Barnum Counseling

Hullett, A. (2022, May 19). Do I need therapy? 14 signs it’s time to talk it out. Greatist. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://greatist.com/health/do-i-need-therapy#signs 

Raypol, C. (2022, February 9). Why should I go to therapy? 8 signs it’s time to see a therapist

GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/why-should-i-go-to-therapy-8-signs-its-time-to-see-a-therapist 

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