5 Reasons To See A Therapist

Has the idea of seeking support from a therapist/counselor or other mental health professional crossed your mind? Are you unsure if what you are experiencing warrants a therapy session? Many of us experience challenges in our day-to-lives. Some of these challenges can be managed independently, or with the help of friends or family and are short lasting. Sometimes, the traumas from our past interfere with our current lives. How do you know when these are issues that you can manage alone or if you need the support and guidance of a mental health professional?

1. Unusual amount of distress:

Have you been feeling depressed, sad, worried, sorrowful, or anxious with no clear cause? Have these feelings of distress lasted for weeks, months, or years? We all experience some form of distress in life for a short amount of time. Short term distress can last a few minutes, a few hours, or even up to a couple of days. Things eventually go back to normal. However, if you experience those symptoms for an extended period of time, it might be helpful to seek a mental health professional. Consistent distress can trigger or be a precursor to a more serious mental health condition. Ongoing distress could also lead to self-harming or suicidal behavior if unchecked. The quicker you seek professional support, the better.

2. Traumatic experience:

Have you recently experienced a traumatic event? Things like car accidents, the death of a loved one, being part of or witnessing an act of extreme violence, experiencing a natural disaster, or loss of a job are just a few things that can be traumatic. If you have experienced anything like this and also feel nervous, anxious, or fearful in any environment, a mental health professional can help you cope.

3. Having difficulty functioning:

Do the challenges you are having interfere with your ability to function in your daily life? Do you have difficult time completing normal activities (ex: personal hygiene, housework, managing your budget, going to work, completing classwork, keeping appointments, interacting with others)? Are you no longer interested in the things or people that used to bring you joy and happiness? This might be the time to seek professional help. A therapist would be able to work with you uncover the possible causes for this loss of functionality and help you find tools to cope.

4. Other people are concerned about you:

Have the people closest to you expressed concern about you and/or your behavior? Has anyone told you about that they see differences in you lately that they are worried about?  Have you noticed that any of your close relationships are strained? Usually, close friends and family can pick up on changes and shifts in us. It is important to listen to them, especially if more than one of your friends or family have communicated the same things to you.

5. Drug and alcohol dependence:

Have you started to use drugs and/or alcohol to shift your mood or as a form of escape? There is a difference between social drinking, or having a glass of wine with dinner and drinking or using drugs in order to numb emotional pain you may be feeling or to "check out" of reality for a small amount of time. Are people concerned about the amount of drugs or alcohol you use? Do you often feel that you cannot function unless you use drugs or alcohol? Are you spending large quantities of money on drugs and alcohol. If you find yourself consuming drugs and alcohol on a daily basis and being under the influence more times than you are sober, this would be a sign that you need to seek professional help.

By no means is this list exhaustive, these are just a few of the top reasons people seek therapy.

For more information about how to find a therapist, if therapy is right for you, or to find out more about the type of therapy I provide, visit my website: www.ejcounselingatl.com or email me at contact@ejcounselingatl.com