How To Decide if You Need to See a Mental Health Expert
Life can be a challenge, but sometimes these problems can become so overbearing that it may seem that you can never move on. One of the best forms of treatment is to see a therapist when this happens. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to judge whether you need therapy or your problems are just part of everyday life.
To find out if you might require outside help, you need to consider the mental health issue you struggle with. For example, a counselor will treat grief differently than if you are suffering from anxiety or depression. However, no matter your circumstances, it’s important to remember that all of the emotions you experience are perfectly normal, and the decision is whether you can get through them alone.
Depression
It can be hard to determine if you are suffering from depression or just going through a low patch. Luckily, there are some sure-fire signs that you are struggling with something that may need further help. If you are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, have lost interest in the things you usually enjoy or find that your mood changes regularly without reason, you should seek help. If in the worst-case scenario, you are feeling suicidal, it is a clear sign that you need expert advice.
Therapists know how to extract the sources of your problems which you may not even realize are there. They can then guide you through the process of tackling these negative thoughts and rewiring your brain to help combat depression.
Grief
Most people will experience grief in some part of their lives, but this doesn’t make it any easier to handle. It is important to remember that grieving is perfectly normal and essential to working through the emotions and coming out the other side.
A sign that you could need the help of a counselor is if you continually reject the reality of what is happening and feel like the person is not truly gone. To get through the grieving process, you need to accept and embrace your emotions, which is something with which a therapist can help.
Relationship Issues
All relationships have ups and downs, and it can be hard to know when what you are experiencing is normal or something more. Whether it is a family member, a partner, or a personal friend, the effects a faltering friendship can have on your emotions should not be underestimated.
If you find that the relationship is causing stress and problems in unexpected ways, then it may be time to seek external input. A therapist can treat you individually or together if the other party is willing. Working out the root of the problems and moving past them can form an even stronger relationship than before any issues arose.
Addiction
Accepting that you have a problem with an addiction can be one of the most challenging admissions you will ever make. Whether this problem is with nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs, it can be tough to acknowledge mistakes. However, if you feel that you can’t get through the day without one of your vices, this could be a sign that you need help.
Commonly, people use substances to self-medicate and blank out some of the underlying problems. Seeing a counselor will help you deal with these problems, find out the source issue, and help tackle the addiction.
Mental Disorders
Many symptoms such as substance abuse, depression, and anxiety can all have roots in some other mental illness you are unaware of. You may feel that you can’t find the origins of your problems or handle situations in the same way as everybody else around you. A therapist can help you diagnose any issues or put your mind at rest by identifying the cause of your troubles.
Fundamentally, whether you choose to see a psychologist is up to you. However, if you feel you are struggling to cope with life’s daily stresses, there is little harm in seeking help. Some people believe that there is a stigma attached to seeking aid with mental issues, but the reality is that to help us get through life, we need the help of other people from time to time. Mental health is no exception.
By Dr. Andrew Lakin
