10 Signs That You Might Need a Therapist
You’ve hit the wall. A tragedy has occurred. Nothing is going right.
“Pick the kids up from school. Keep it together for them.”
You vent to your spouse. They take your pain personally and feel defeated in helping relieve it. Now you feel guilty for burdening them.
The to-do list keeps getting longer and your energy is already depleted.
“Ah, sweet coffee…”
You call your friend. All she does is compare your suffering to hers – like it’s a competition. Now you feel invalidated.
“I’ll just have one more glass of wine…”
You decide to just veg out and watch some Netflix. Instead, painful memories and intrusive negative thoughts begin to creep in. Now your mind is more frightening and confusing as the last season of Stranger Things.
“CAN I JUST GET A BREAK?!”
Sound familiar? Many of us are walking around with unsurmountable suffering that no one can see.
- Childhood trauma.
- Broken families.
- Crippling debt.
- Workplace drama.
We try our best to hide this from the world. But instead, our pain begins to manifest into emotional outbursts, strained relationships, physical illness, etc. How do we begin to heal? How can we change the never-ending cycle of chaos?
Therapy is the first line of treatment in getting un-stuck. Whether you are going through a major life transition, feeling down, having relationship trouble, experiencing anxiety, or problematic usage of substances – therapy can help.
A survey released in May of 2004, “Therapy in America 2004,” and co-sponsored by Psychology Today magazine and PacifiCare Behavioral Health, found that an estimated 59 million people have received mental health treatment in the past two years, and that 80 percent of them have found it effective.
So, here are some signs that you should consider therapy…
- Your eating and sleeping habits have changed. Either you’re getting too much or not enough of either. Either can be detrimental.
- You no longer enjoy the things that you used to. Maybe you aren’t so zen in yoga class anymore and start skipping them. Or Sunday tee-time just isn’t giving you the joy it did before.
- Your emotions are turned up to 12! Find yourself crying in the bathroom at work (more than usual)? Or instead of just murmuring curse words at the driver who cut you off, you actually try to start a fight with them.
- Social situations are a no go. You don’t want your friends to stop inviting you to get-togethers, but every RSVP is left unchecked.
- Unhealthy habits are becoming problematic. We automatically think of drinking and drug use when this comes up. But this could also involve excessive shopping, excessive dieting, risky behaviors, etc.
- Your relationships aren’t being nurtured. Arguments with your spouse. Snapping at your children. Ignoring your friend’s phone calls and texts.
- Something horrible happened. You’ve experienced a trauma that has shaken you to your core. Trauma isn’t just for combat soldiers. A car accident, affair, loss of a loved one, or anything you feel is traumatic – is trauma.
- You’re unsure of who you are. Understanding ourselves better can help us break maladaptive patterns of behavior or allow us to give ourselves more grace.
- Your support network is diminished or nonexistent. Everyone needs someone to talk to and process with. Therapy is a great place to receive the validation and support that you deserve.
- Nothing else has helped. You’ve tried exercising. You’ve tried meditation. You even tried reading that crazy self-help book your Aunt recommended. But, nothing seems to give you relief.
If any or all of these are ringing a bell, then you should consider finding a therapist.
Georgia HOPE offers in-home and online therapy for a multitude of presenting problems including:
- Anxiety
- Depression & other Mood Disorders
- ADHD/ADD
- PTSD
- Relationship Troubles
- Substance Use
- Eating Disorders
- And more!
