Despite the high prevalence of mental problems, very few people dare to take the step of seeking therapy. They tell themselves that they are not that ill after all and that they do not want to take the place off someone else who would need it more urgently. Or in the worst case, they do not admit to themselves that they need help. Seeking therapy shouldn't be a taboo subject because it's natural. Almost everyone has some kind of mental health problems at some point in their life and they don't always go away without taking action. In this article, we present five signs that indicate that you should consider therapy.
If you keep having negative thoughts, maybe even thoughts about hurting yourself, you should definitely seek professional help. Such thoughts can be caused by traumas in your childhood, by bad events in the present or by other negative experiences you have had. It can be anything from the death of a loved one, a car accident, an illness or someone hurting you. If your thoughts keep going back to the same thing and you just can't get out of this vicious circle, you should definitely get help.
Loss of interest can be a sign that you are not doing as well mentally as you should be. If you suddenly don't enjoy your hobbies or you just can't motivate yourself to do fun things anymore, this can be an indicator. It can often be accompanied by a constant feeling of boredom or exhaust. Instead of finding joy in activities, you find them annoying, exhausting, and boring. If you feel this way for a longer period of time, for example a few weeks, you should think about seeking therapy.
Fear is a useful emotion that warns us of danger. However, excessive anxiety can severely limit your life. If you purposefully avoid places, people, or situations in order to avoid fears, your concerns have already taken control of your life. You can no longer move forward in your life and are stuck in your situation.
Uncontrollable emotions can also be a sign of anxiety or insecurity. If you are regularly overwhelmed by uncontrollable emotions such as fear, sadness, aggression, or the others, this can be a sign that everything is becoming too much for you. Many people then tend to expect the worst of everything, so that they no longer trust themselves to do anything. If you recognize yourself in these descriptions, therapy may be able to help you.
If you have reached this point, it can be a good sign. It means that you admit to yourself that everything is just too much for you. When your problems take over your everyday life, it can lead to physical consequences such as insomnia, lack of concentration, or even burnout. If you are at this point and you don't see any way to deal with everything yourself, don't be afraid to see a therapist, because it's nothing to be ashamed of.
If the people around you are already worried, you should definitely ask yourself what causes these worries. Friends and family often know us better than we know ourselves. If they think you have changed, are no longer enjoying life, or are beginning to distance yourself from them, you should take the signs seriously. Your mental health can also negatively affect your relationships with friends and your partner. For example, if you suddenly have a lot of arguments with your loved ones, you should not ignore it.
It gets complicated when you build walls around yourself. You don't want others around you to see how you are really doing. In this case, it is up to you to realise that you are no longer showing your true self to the people around you. You are pretending so that no one can see your worries. In both cases, therapy can help you get back to your true self and be honest with your loved ones.
If any of these five scenarios sounds familiar, you should definitely consider therapy. We know it's never easy to admit it to yourself and to take the first step. Many people take a long time to take this step. But when you are ready, there are many people who want to help you on the way to your new life. If you don't know where to find the right therapist, you can visit WePractice where you can find exactly the right experts.
Misty Jhones