6 Signs You’re Ready to See a Mental Health Professional
Most people can benefit from therapy, at one time or another, in their lifetime.
The biggest challenge, however, is knowing if you need immediate professional help or if you can postpone seeing a therapist for now.
If you are experiencing this dilemma, you have to know that you don’t have to be desperate or on the verge of a meltdown to see a therapist. Knowing this can help you think more clearly and make the right decision at the right time.
When to See a Mental Health Professional
If you are constantly asking yourself, “Should I see a psychologist?” below are some of the signs that indicate you need to see a therapist, which you will do well to heed:
1. You feel constantly overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
Stress and anxiety are emotions everyone feels in different situations.
However, if you are constantly overwhelmed by these emotions, even in everyday situations and they prevent you from doing your usual activities, you may already have developed (or will develop) anxiety disorder.
If you do nothing about your anxiety and stress, it can lead to other problems, including depression and social anxiety disorder.
Severe anxiety can also be paralyzing, interfere with your sleep, and affect other aspects of your life.
Feeling anxious and stressed out all the time are two of the best reasons why you need to see a psychologist as soon as possible.
2. You feel sad and angry more often than usual.
Sadness, hopelessness, and anger are common emotions that all people feel on a regular basis as well.
However, if these emotions affect your ability to focus and work and cause you to withdraw from your family and friends, it can be a sign of a mental health issue that you can only overcome with therapy.
Trusted depression psychologists say that these emotions can also impact your quality of life in various ways.
Therefore, get psychological help immediately if these feelings are starting to make you question whether your life is still worth living or if you already have thoughts of committing suicide.
3. You don’t enjoy doing the things you liked to do before.
If you suddenly lose interest in activities you loved doing before, such as visiting museums, going out for nature walks, or having brunch with your friends, take it as a sign that you need to see a specialist.
A persistent feeling of sadness and hopelessness combined with disinterest in activities you were previously interested in is often a sign of depression or anxiety disorder.
If you notice that you are no longer interested or happy about doing things you used to love, find out how to get mental help in your area as soon as possible.
4. You have difficulty sleeping or getting out of bed, or both.
If you find it hard to fall asleep or keep waking up in the middle of the night, you may have deep-seated anxiety, causing you to have an unhealthy sleeping pattern.
Anxiety psychologists also say that waking up too early can also be an early sign of depression.
Having difficulties getting out of bed and seeing a noticeable dip in your energy are also early signs of depression.
Having a sleep pattern that has changed dramatically and having to put more effort into getting up and doing anything are good enough reasons to see a psychologist immediately.
5. You notice a change in your eating habits.
Eating more or less than usual is also a sign that it’s time to seek mental help.
When you find eating troublesome instead of pleasant, take it as a red flag and see a specialist. If you don’t feel as happy as you used to be when enjoying your favorite dish, snack, or beverage, you may already be suffering from anxiety or depression.
You should also consider a sudden increase in your appetite as a sign that you may have a problem. Overeating is often a coping mechanism for people who are depressed.
6. Your loved ones are noticing changes in your behavior.
If your spouse or partner, family, and close friends keep telling you that you don’t seem like yourself lately, seeing a psychologist for anxiety or depression should be at the top of your mind.
When you keep getting remarks that you have changed, they may be picking up something you are not aware of. Take their feedback seriously, especially if you hear this from different people.
Your loved ones have your best interest at heart. As such, don’t ignore them if they start getting worried about you and suggest that you see a professional.
How to Find a Mental Health Professional
If you notice any of these signs and want to get help as soon as possible, you need to find a mental health professional that you can trust and work with comfortably first.
A therapist can help you learn and apply the right strategies that will enable you to manage your anxiety, stress, and other issues.
They will also help you learn how to keep a clear mind so that you can break free from your symptoms of depression and other mental health problems you may be experiencing.
With the right specialist and treatment program, you can overcome your emotional difficulties and maintain a healthy mental and physical state.
Evolve Brain Training provides neurofeedback therapy, a medication-free program that helps treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. This treatment is administered by licensed therapists, giving you the assurance that you are in good hands as you embark on your journey toward better mental health.
Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help you achieve mental and emotional wellness today.
Dr. Upasana Gala is the founder and CEO of Evolve Brain Training, a Neurofeedback-centered institute that focuses on using non-invasive brain training techniques to maximize the brain's true potential.
