8 Telltale Signs You Should Seek Therapy

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Unfortunately, we live in a world where going to our medical doctor for a physical ailment is accepted, but if we attend therapy sessions for depression or suicidal ideations, we are often judged. However, therapy is not only a type of treatment, but it can also be viewed as a preventative measure.

The Importance of Therapy

Research has shown that verbalizing feelings can have a therapeutic effect on the brain, which in turn can help your self-esteem and relationships.

Therapy, whether it is treatment-centered or preventative, can help you learn to manage your emotions, solve problems, and develop healthy coping skills to overcome life stressors.

You don’t need to have a history of trauma or even a diagnosed mental illness to undergo therapy. Therapy can be a way to develop better life skills and coping skills and to improve his or her relationships.

There are certain circumstances, however, where you really should seek therapy. A significant life setback, financial issues, relationship trauma, or extreme anxiety can trigger a downward spiral.

It’s possible to bounce back from these struggles, but sometimes these struggles can get the best of us, and we need to seek treatment.

8 Signs You Should Seek Therapy or See A Therapist

1) Difficulty Controlling Your Emotions:

Extreme mood swings, uncontrollable crying, lashing out at others, anger, and anxiety. These are all telltale signs that you cannot control your emotions. These emotions could be a reflection of underlying triggers and stressors.

You may have an undiagnosed mood disorder or anxiety disorder. A therapist may help you find a diagnosis and also coach you in positive coping skills to deal with these triggers.

2) Decline in Academic or Work Performance:

Failing grades in school, missed deadlines, poor work performance, increased absences, and inability to concentrate: these are all telltale signs that your emotions are affecting your professional or academic life.

Mental health struggles can impair cognition, concentration, and memory, which can all affect your ability to perform well in the workplace. Therapy can help you manage your negative emotions and teach you coping skills that will help you overcome your stressors.

3) Significant Changes in Your Sleep Patterns:

You may sleep 12 hours a day and still feel exhausted, or you may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Maybe you’re having nightmares and waking up exhausted. A change in sleep patterns can be a sign that you are not coping well.

4) Significant Changes in Eating Patterns:

Have you stopped cooking well-balanced meals in favor of hitting the drive-thru? Maybe you’re skipping meals altogether or binge eating every chance you get.

Your dietary habits and sleep patterns can often reflect your stress levels and emotions. Therapy can help you uncover these underlying stressors and help you handle these issues in order to get back into a healthy eating and sleeping routine where you feel rested and satisfied.

5) Struggling to Maintain Your Relationships:

If you find yourself more and more alone because others no longer want to be around you, this is a telltale sign that something is wrong.

You may be pushing people away without realizing it, or you may find yourself in constant conflict with others, judging others harshly, or having problems communicating your thoughts and feelings.

6) Trauma At Some Point in Your Life:

Many of us who experience trauma try everything we can to cover it up. However, as time passes, the effects of trauma are sure to appear.

Whether your trauma occurred in childhood or recent adulthood, therapy is the best way to work through the impact of your trauma. Whether it was physical trauma, sexual trauma, or emotional trauma, major or minor, therapy will always help.

7) No Longer Enjoying The Things You Love:

Whether it is hiking in the mountains, knitting, gardening, yoga, or painting, hobbies and passions are key elements to happiness in life.

If you find yourself not enjoying your hobbies or are neglecting to carve out time for these things, you may be experiencing depression or anxiety.

8) Using Harmful Vices As Coping Mechanisms:

Whether it is drugs, sex, alcohol, gambling, frivolous spending, or pornography, these unhealthy behaviors are often used as coping mechanisms for when we are stressed, depressed, or have extreme anxiety.

Oftentimes, we do not recognize that we are using these behaviors to cope with our underlying stressors. These coping mechanisms can cause even more harm, so it is crucial to seek therapy for underlying triggers.

AKUA Can Help

AKUA is a mental health and substance abuse treatment center that offers a multitude of treatment services at all levels of care.

AKUA offers group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy. If you want to begin recognizing your underlying stressors and regaining control of your life, Call 888-629-6707 to speak with a counselor about which program may be right for you.

24/7 ADMISSION HELPLINE 888-629-6707