You don’t always need extreme trauma to justify seeing a therapist. Therapists can be reliable, neutral partners to get you through dark times or just to maintain holistic balance. Don’t hesitate to see a therapist if you find one of these reasons to.
1. You sleep too little or too much
The line between well-rested and depressed is fine. Talk to someone if exhaustion from sleeplessness keeps you running late and also if you seem to pass whole days in bed.
2. You dread things you used to love
Sometimes, you just don’t have that extra oomph. However, it’s not okay if you can’t look forward to your favorite people and activities. A therapist can help you get to the root of your withdrawal- and your zest for life back.
3. You’ve survived a separation
Breakups and divorces can generate physical pain, insomnia, lowered immunity and more. A therapist supports you in the lonely aftermath and helps you turn healing corners.
4. You lose a relative, friend or pet
Grief plunges strong people to depths they never thought possible. No one can rebound alone. Your support team needs a therapist to provide professional oversight during your healing progress and guide you in recuperative self-care.
5. Things feel “off” in your body
Mind-body connection is real. Chronic complaints of headaches, nausea and weight gain or loss are often psychosomatic reactions. Therapists make great accountability partners for exercise, sleep and nutrition with a bonus of helping you discover what’s unbalancing you.
6. Substance use goes way up
You know when the joy to eat, drink and be merry has slipped to something else. If you are drinking alone or too much, you want a therapist to help you stop self-medicating old wounds or present unhappiness.
7. You keep on hearing “Where ya been?”
Your tribe may alert you that you’ve changed even if you didn’t notice. Pay attention if close relations are asking around about you or working overtime to reach you. First, accept their care. Next, add a therapist to the tribe.
8. Mental fogs linger
Even extra cups of coffee can’t help you handle basics anymore. Talk to a therapist about procrastination, forgetfulness and low productivity before your bosses or creditors do.
9. Money’s tight
Financial struggles take mental tolls. Most medical plans include therapy. If yours doesn’t, prioritize it into the budget. Talking out money worries does wonders to address them.
10. Everything’s all good, but…
You may feel blue when others think you’re over the moon. In fact, depression often follows joyous shifts like childbirth and relocating. Let a therapist center you in your new life and pick you up to enjoy it.
Never try to battle emotional distress and despair at breaking points. Call a loved one, mental health hotline or 911 to help you push through. Then, acquire a therapist to maintain balance going forward.