One in five Americans experiences a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, 60% of adults with mental health conditions do not receive the professional treatment they need from therapists who can help them manage their symptoms.
However, not everyone who needs therapy has a mental health condition. Therapy can benefit anyone who may need help and guidance on how to face and overcome difficult times and situations.
Do you think you may need therapy? Here are 5 signs that indicate you can benefit from seeing a therapist to guide you along your personal journey to improved mental wellness.
1. You’ve Been Feeling Less Like Yourself
You may need therapy if it’s easy for you to focus on your issues so much that it starts interfering with your usual activities and interests. You may start withdrawing from family and friends, or be less productive at work. You may get less sleep, stop going to the gym, and stop engaging in hobbies that usually bring you joy.
If you’ve been feeling less like yourself lately and experiencing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anger, consider meeting with a therapist. These feelings may be related to changes in your life, the inability to freely express yourself, or symptoms of a mental health disorder. Regardless of the reason, speaking to someone can often provide you with more clarity regarding what you may need and allow you to determine your next steps.
2. You’re Using Unhealthy Coping Methods
When facing difficult times or when experiencing stress or depression, you may find yourself reaching for unhealthy or unhelpful coping supports such as alcohol and drugs to make yourself feel better. It’s okay, as managing difficult emotions can be extremely challenging. This is where a therapist can help you identify and address the root causes of your problems, and work with you to develop healthier coping methods.
3. You’ve Experienced a Trauma
Experiencing some fear or anxiety for a short time following trauma is expected, but if these symptoms do not go away after about one month, you may benefit from talk therapy. Examples of traumatic events include domestic or family violence, sexual assault, or a car accident. Talk therapy can help you feel better if you have recently witnessed or experienced a traumatic event, as it teaches you how to approach and change upsetting emotions, thoughts, and memories related to the event. Many therapists are trained to help you face and cope with your trauma.
4. You’ve Experienced a Significant Loss
Experiencing grief after losing a loved one or something extremely important to you, such as a home or job, is expected and an inevitable part of life. However, it may be difficult to sit in the loss, process it, and begin the journey to healing all on your own. Any type of loss can feel incredibly isolating. Therapy can provide the support and time to grieve in a way that is genuine and restorative to you.
5. You Want to Improve Your Communication Skills
Great communication skills don’t come naturally to everyone and sometimes require months or years of education, training, and experience to become good at it. If you’ve realized that you have difficulty communicating with partners, relatives, and coworkers, getting help in the form of therapy may be your ideal solution. Therapy can help you identify why you may be struggling with communication and can help you develop healthier communication skills.
Therapy gives you a safe space where you can talk freely about your thoughts, feelings, and worries without judgment, and helps you develop strong coping skills you can apply in many situations. Therapy can also help you change unwanted habits and teach you how to practice self-reflection and self-love.
Valera Health provides tele-mental health care to people with mental health disorders including ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Our services can also benefit those who simply want to improve their mental wellness. Request a consultation with us today to learn more about your available treatment options.
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