8 Signs You Need To See A Therapist

All of us may experience sadness, stress, conflict, and grief at some point in our lives. In fact, one out of five adults in the US is suffering from a mental illness, while only 46 to 65 percent of people who have moderate to severe illnesses are treated. These situations should not be taken for granted as these are just a few signs you should see a therapist.

It is very crucial to identify and manage mental illness, especially if your condition is not clear. If you keep on avoiding help from professionals, you will not only suffer needlessly but also you will make the problem worse. It’s better to solve the problem earlier, compared to when it becomes severe.

8 Signs You Should See A Therapist

1. You Feel Intense

Indeed, it’s normal for us to feel sad or angry at times. But, we should consider how often and how intense we feel this way. We should also determine if it impairs our ability to function effectively. If we feel sad or angry on a regular basis, it could be an indication that we are suffering from an underlying issue.

If you are feeling an intense form of anxiety, it is probably a sign that you need to see a therapist. Although worrying is normal, it should not be super-sized. This feeling could be paralyzing and could lead to panic attacks. Don’t let your life be constricted with this kind of feeling by asking help from an expert.

2. You Have Trauma And You Can’t Stop Thinking About It

The pain of a breakup, a job loss, or a death in the family may be a sufficient reason that you need counseling. Sometimes, we believe that the feeling of pain can just go away on its own. Although it may be true to some, it’s not always the same for others.

If you are grieving because of these reasons, then it may affect your daily functioning. It may even cause you to isolate yourself from your friends. If you or your friends observed that you are pulling away, you may want to seek advice from an expert.

3. You Have Recurrent Stomach Aches, Headaches, or A Rundown Immune System

Being emotionally upset can actually affect your bodies. Probably, stress is one of the reasons why you are suffering from recurrent stomach aches or headaches. Stress can actually manifest itself in a form of illness. Not only you will experience headaches or stomach aches, but also colds or even reduced libido.

[Also Read: When To See A Neurologist For Headache]

4. You Are Abusing Substances To Cope

If you find yourself abusing drugs or drinking liquor to cope up with stress, this may indicate that you are suffering from an underlying issue. The substance doesn’t need to be alcohol or drugs, it could even be food.

5. Your Appetite Is Changing

Another sign that you should see a therapist is when your appetite is changing. If you overeat or if you don’t feel like eating, it could also be an indication that you are stressed. So, if this happens to you, you should not think twice about seeing an expert.

6. You Have Bad Feedback At Work

Perhaps, it’s common to experience changes in your work performance if you are struggling with psychological or emotional issues. Although your job used to make you happy, you may feel separated from your job.

Probably, you will lack attention and concentration at work which will lead you to have negative feedback from your head officers or even your co-workers. If this happens to you, maybe you need someone to talk to, this may be one of the signs you should see a therapist.

7. You Have A Strained Relationship

If it’s hard for you to communicate about what you truly feel, especially that you find yourself unhappy interacting with your loved ones, maybe it’s time for you to seek help from a therapist. It is worth noting that it is not really about what you say, but your actions and attitude also count.

8. Your Friends Noticed Your Change

If your friend is open enough to tell you that he or she is concerned, considering his or her observation of the changes in you, then maybe it is an indication that you really have to hear their advice or probably from an expert.

Conclusion

Perhaps, it’s a misnomer that only people who are crazy need therapy. And asking help from the psychiatric community is a sign of weakness or the treatment can be expensive and time-consuming. But, these are actually not true. In fact, patients don’t need to be treated many times a week. Sometimes, it only requires at most two sessions a year.

If there are signs you should see a therapist, you should make treatment as a privilege. In fact, there are various options that could provide treatment at a cheaper price. You can also find a good online therapist, so it is no longer a challenge to find a nearby doctor for the treatment that best suit your needs.

Dr. Ahmed Zayed

Doctor, author and fitness enthusiast, Ahmed Zayed, MD, is a surgery resident with a passion for helping people live a happy healthy life. He is the author of numerous health-related books and contributor to several medicine, health and wellbeing.