We all experience moments of stress, sadness, and worry. But when these feelings become persistent or overwhelming, it might be time to seek professional support. A good therapist can provide a safe and supportive space to explore your thoughts and feelings and develop strategies for coping with life’s challenges.
Here are five signs that you might benefit from therapy:
- Persistent worry or fear: Nearly everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. But, constant worry and anxiety can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may notice yourself feeling worried or tense for no apparent reason. You may, instead, find that there’s always a new reason for feeling anxious. If you’re feeling like this and it doesn’t seem to be going away, a good therapist can help. In therapy, you can work to understand and manage your anxiety and develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stressful situations.
- Difficulty sleeping: If you’re having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep, it could be a sign of stress, anxiety, or depression. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can also cause symptoms of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, research shows that resolving sleep issues can go a long way toward curbing depression and anxiety. If you’ve been dealing with insomnia or other sleep problems for weeks, it can start to feel like there’s no escape. A good therapist can help you address the underlying causes of your sleep problems and develop healthy sleep habits
- Changes in appetite or mood: Significant changes in your appetite or mood, such as loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, could be signs of depression or another mood disorder. Depression has a way of creeping up on you. It usually starts with feeling stressed or otherwise overwhelmed over a long period time. Subtle changes to your mood, your interests and habits follow and add up over time. For some people this can result in feeling really stuck, lacking joy or pleasure and feeling little interest in anything except staying home and tuning out. Others might feel overwhelmed with sadness or feelings of worthlessness. As depression grows more severe, you might start to notice thoughts about suicide or wishing you were dead. A good therapist can help you understand the drivers of your depression, manage your mood and regain a sense of pleasure and motivation.
- Irritability or anger: If you find yourself feeling more irritable or angry than usual, it could be a sign that you’re struggling to cope with stress or difficult emotions. None of us wants to walk around feeling angry all the time. When we snap at the ones we love, the guilt can add to our stress, making it even more difficult to manage our anger. A good therapist can provide a safe space to understand your anger and develop healthier ways of managing it.
- Difficulty concentrating: If you’re having trouble focusing on tasks or remembering things, it could be a sign of stress, anxiety, or depression. Therapy can help you address the underlying causes of your concentration problems and develop strategies for improving your focus.
Wondering if Therapy is Right for You?
Therapy can help with a wide range of concerns, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and mood disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- Relationship problems
- Grief and loss
- Stress management
- Low self-esteem
A good therapist provides a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with a trained mental health professional. Therapy can help you gain insight into your challenges, understand and accept yourself, develop coping skills, and make positive changes that benefit you and the people you love.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re considering therapy, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified therapist. It’s important to find a therapist who you feel comfortable with and who has experience working with people who have similar concerns to yours.
Contact us today to get started. We’re here to help you find the right therapist and get started on your journey to greater peace, fulfillment and connection.
Article by: Jon Ahern, Ph.D.