The field of psychotherapy is still a relatively new one that can be (unfortunately) misunderstood.
Therapists are sometimes deemed ‘shrinks’ who exist for the purpose of ‘fixing’ those with mental illnesses. No one wants to fall under the umbrella of being mentally ill, so consequently, many people still avoid therapy.
This is a shame!
Therapy is not only for people struggling with mental illness. I am a strong believer that we all can benefit from therapy and it is something we should all try at least once in their lives.
Recognizing when you might benefit from therapy is an important step toward mental well-being.
Everyone who is in therapy is there for a different reason. The decision to open up to someone and start therapy is a personal one, and only you know when it is best to start.
However, here are some common signs that you would strongly benefit from therapy:
12 Clear Signs You’d Benefit From Therapy
1. You have persistent feelings of sadness or depression.
We all have days where we are down or under the weather, but when you find yourself hopeless or feeling low for extended periods of time, you might be in need of therapy.
In some cases, we know why we are feeling depressed, and in those circumstances, we need help dealing with that underlying issue.
However, in some cases, we also don’t know why we are feeling down, and therapy can help us get to the root cause of our state.
2. You’ve lost interest in activities you used to enjoy.
Sometimes, we outgrow certain activities, but that might not always be the case.
There are instances where the loss of interest cannot be explained. This can be a sign of an unconscious issue that we need to unpack.
3. You experience anxiety or constant worry.
Frequent feelings of anxiety, panic, or constant worry that interfere with your daily life should not be ignored or harboured in the hopes that they will get better. Because, in some cases, they unfortunately get worse.
Moreover, when not addressed, constant anxiety and worry have the potential to negatively impact your ability to concentrate and function well on a day-to-day basis.
4. You have a lot of difficulty managing stress.
Normal everyday stress is common and manageable.
But, when you find yourself constantly under stress and overwhelmed, consider looking for a therapist.
5. You’re struggling to cope with changes in your life.
Life happens, and we often encounter changes.
Some are within our control, and unfortunately the same can’t be said for others. Despite knowing that changes happen, we don’t always find it easy to navigate through them.
Sometimes, we need to talk to someone so we are in a better position to cope.
6. You’re experiencing relationship issues.
When having issues or are unhappy about a relationship, the first person you should talk to is your partner.
But in some cases, we’re on different pages and talking doesn’t always help. When there are frequent conflicts and unaddressed issues in a relationship, a therapist can be a good third person who creates a platform that allows both parties to communicate and be heard.
A therapist will also help with tools that can be used to improve the quality of communication and overall relationship.
7. You’re struggling from trauma.
Experiencing a traumatic event should never be ignored in the hopes that it will fade over time.
When not addressed, trauma can result in having flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts related to the incident. Unfortunately, as time passes, these effects might worsen and impact your life.
8. You’re grieving.
Losing someone, especially a loved one is not easy.
Processing grief differs from one person to the other, and therapy can help you understand your grief and process it in a healthy manner.
This is needed, especially in cultures that traditionally favour suppressing grief. No one should ever feel like they’re weak because they are grieving and experiencing the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
9. You’re engaging in self-destructive behaviours.
This can range from substance abuse to self-harm.
Often, these behaviours are a manifestation of an underlying issue that needs to be dealt with.
10. You feel stuck or lost.
Experiencing a lack of direction, purpose, or motivation in life for extended periods of time can result in feeling stuck or being unable to make decisions.
Talking to a therapist can help you understand why you are feeling stuck and, most importantly, can help you realize or remember your goals and ambitions so you can start working towards them.
11. You have overwhelming emotions.
Frequently expressing intense emotions that you can’t control, such as anger, sadness, or fear, can be crippling.
It increases the chances of making choices that might not be rational. Going to therapy can help you understand your emotions so you can experience them in a less destructive manner.
12. You want to see personal growth.
Sometimes we know what we want or where we want to be, but have no idea how to get there.
This could be in terms of:
- wanting to better understand ourselves
- improving our relationships
- enhancing our personal development
Therapists are trained to work with us and help us come up with a clearly marked road map that will realistically help us get to where we want to be.
If you are interested in looking for a therapist, we recommend you read this next: 10 Resources & Steps to Help You Find a Good Therapist
There is Therapy for Everything!
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself, seeking therapy can be a beneficial step toward improving your mental health and overall well-being.
Thankfully, there are various types of therapy that are designed to effectively work on particular issues.
Once you have established that you want to go for therapy, it is advisable to do some research and figure out what modality you think will benefit you the most.
Depending on your schedule and other factors, you might choose to have therapy online or in person. No one way is better than the other.
Find a therapist who works on issues you need help with, and if they are taking new clients, sign up and get going.
Remember, therapy will not fix all your concerns overnight. You will have to be consistent and actively work on yourself outside of therapy. Be patient with yourself and take one day at a time.
Photo by Antoni Shkraba
