How Do I Know If I Need a Therapist?
If anxiety, worry, or grief are making it difficult to live your life as you once did, you might start to wonder if you should see someone. You might also wonder—as many do—has it really come to that? Do I really need a therapist?
First, understand that it’s not at all uncommon to feel nervous about seeing a therapist. Plenty of people worry that their personal challenges will seem trivial when they share them. Or that they should “be able to handle this on their own.” But the truth is that there’s never a wrong time to see a therapist.
Understanding the Purpose of Therapy
When you’re thinking about whether or not to engage a therapist, remember that you’re not looking for one specific green-light symptom or circumstance that will determine “Ope, yep, I need therapy.” That’s because therapy, which can also go by the names of psychotherapy or counseling, can be geared towards a wide variety of challenges and goals.
Here are just some of the goals of therapy:
Address problematic behaviors and feelings: This could include anxieties, phobias, negative thoughts, or unhealthy relationship patterns. A therapist can help you understand the root of these issues and develop strategies to assist you in managing them.
Improve mental health: Therapy can be a helpful tool for treating diagnosed conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, or PTSD. It can also be beneficial if you’re going through stressful life situations or to improve your overall mental well-being.
Increase self-awareness: Through therapy, you can gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This self-knowledge can empower you to make positive changes in your life.
Develop coping mechanisms: Therapists can equip you with tools to manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations in a healthy way.
Strengthen relationships: Therapy can be useful for individuals, couples, and families. It can provide a safe space to communicate openly, address conflicts, and build healthier relationships.
Overall, therapy is about improving your quality of life by helping you manage challenges. You can discern whether a therapist’s help would benefit you by paying attention to your body and your behavior.
Do I Need Help? Hearing Your Body’s Distress Calls
Our behaviors are a reflection of our thoughts and feelings. A thought becomes a feeling, a feeling becomes an act . . . and so forth. So, a good way to tell that your brain is getting the better of you is if you start feeling or acting differently.
Here are some easy-to-recognize signs that unhelpful thoughts, anxiety, grief, or trauma are interfering with your daily life:
Changes in Emotions or Behaviors:
Changing emotions or behaviors is a common clue that there might be something you need to work through. Let’s look at some kinds of emotions that might be red flags.
Feeling overwhelmed or constantly on edge: Anxiety can manifest as excessive worry or restlessness.
Persistent sadness or emptiness: This could be a sign of grief or depression.
Irritability or anger outbursts: Unprocessed emotions can lead to shorter tempers and difficulty controlling reactions.
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy: This can be due to depression, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed.
Changes in sleep or appetite: Significant changes in either direction might indicate an underlying issue.
Difficulty concentrating: Unhelpful thoughts or emotional turmoil can cloud your thinking.
Impact on Daily Life:
We all go through struggles and challenges. But when the emotional fallout of these challenges lingers and continues to bother or weigh you down in your daily life, that can be cause for concern. Pay close attention to these behaviors as they might be warning signs that your daily life is being impacted.
Avoiding social situations or withdrawing from loved ones: Isolation can be a sign of anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Struggling at work or school: Inability to focus or complete tasks can be a red flag.
Turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms: This might include substance abuse, self-harm, or isolation.
Feeling like you can’t cope with daily tasks: Everyday activities become difficult due to emotional burdens.
Thoughts and Beliefs:
Our thoughts are powerful. They’re the source of all our emotions and behaviors. Watch out for these kinds of thoughts that could be creating negative or destructive patterns in your life.
Negative self-talk or constant criticism: This can be a sign of low self-esteem or unhelpful thought patterns.
Obsessive or intrusive thoughts: These can be related to trauma, anxiety, or phobias.
Thoughts of hopelessness or helplessness: This can be a sign of depression or unresolved emotional issues.
Physical Symptoms:
Our body and mind are inextricably connected—more so than we ever understood just one century ago. When our mind is in turmoil, our body may respond in such a way that encourages us to stop and administer self care.
Unexplained aches and pains: Stress and emotional turmoil can manifest in physical ways.
Fatigue or low energy: This can be due to anxiety, depression, or difficulty sleeping.
Changes in appetite or weight: Significant fluctuations can be a sign of emotional distress.
It’s important to remember that everyone experiences these things occasionally. However, if these signs become persistent and negatively impact your daily life, a therapist can be a valuable resource. A therapist can provide support, guidance, and tools to help you manage your emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve your overall well-being.
If you’re not sure whether therapy is right for you, it can’t hurt to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you assess your situation and determine the best course of action.
Find Help in Utah Valley
Sparrow Hills Counseling is a team of certified healthcare professionals. Our clinic is located in South Jordan, Utah, and we serve clients across Salt Lake City and Utah Valley.
If you know you could benefit from a trained therapist, get in touch with one of our therapists to schedule a free first consultation.
