Mention therapy in front of your friends or relatives and chances are, they will shirk from a conversation around it. The hard truth is that majority of people are unaccepting and unwilling to undertake therapy when needed as there is a stigma attached to it. Going to a professional mental health professional is considered a taboo by many in a society that is plagued by such issues. Surprisingly, people prefer talking amongst each other on these complex issues or situations they are facing instead of getting counselling by an expert.
The truth of life is that what was yesterday, may not be today. Such is the uncertainty we face at times. It could be departure of a loved one, loss of a job or wealth, a relationship failure or an unprecedented situation that you find difficult to cope with. Therapy is the best option in such a scenario as it helps you move back on the path to mental health. It is perfectly alright to be take time to heal when hit with a loss. However, if the bouncing back proves to be tough, then maybe you should talk to someone. And not just anyone; taking professional help where you can talk without the fear of being judged while receiving expert advice that addresses the fundamental issue is the best way forward.
It has been seen that grappling with a mental health concern makes one stressed, anxious, sad and listless. It impacts every aspect of life – productivity, happiness as well as physical health. If such a situation continues for a prolonged period, seeking professional help to wade through the challenges could be your best bet. A psychologist who practices and studies mental states and behaviour; a psychotherapist who uses talk therapy for treating people for emotional problems and their mental wellbeing; a counsellor who is an expert in a particular area and offers advise after assessing your situation or a psychiatrist who is a qualified doctor that understands mental illness and suggests medication along with advise – all these experts are the capable hands that one needs to entrust their mental health in. The course of action they suggest is the best way ahead when dealing with setbacks of this kind.
It is common to consult your physician or a specialist whenever faced with a physical illness. So it should be a given that for restoring mental wellbeing, one should go to an expert in this field. Here, Soulveda lists a few telltale signs that suggest its time to see a therapist.
Extreme tiredness and feeling drained
If all other physical ailments are ruled out, and a mental issue seems certain, chances are you find yourself fatigued and drained most of the time. This impacts your day-to-day functioning and productivity as well. Your attention, focus, memory and energy levels take a dip, and that severely affects your performance, career prospects, social relationships and family life.
There’d hardly be anyone who’d want to remain tired and not be able to perform tasks with vigour. Depression, anxiety or even stress bring along with them tiredness. Going for therapy to combat these symptoms and finding their root cause is extremely beneficial in such cases.
Hopelessness or loss of drive
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 280 million people globally are living with depressive disorders. Shockingly, approximately 85% of people receive no treatment due to lack of mental health facilities in undeveloped nations.
Depression is a mental disorder that leads to a lingering feeling of sadness and loss of interest or drive to anything. While it is normal to feel sad for some days, finding it difficult to jump out of bed regularly means it may be time see a therapist. The loss of drive and a deteriorating positive outlook further impacts one’s quality of life and trajectory of learning and growth. At this juncture, just talking to anyone or venting it out may not work as depression can be overcome only through medication or psychotherapy or a combination of both.
Feeling too anxious
Life may move at a fast pace sometimes, hardly giving you time to prepare for and face certain challenges. The resulting anxiety could be overwhelming. Worrying is a natural tendency that we all experience at times in response to different situations. However if you feel too anxious over longer periods, it tends to start crippling your daily routine. Too much anxiety often leads to a spike in blood pressure, muscular tension and an overall feeling of unease. Seeking therapy that comprises expert advice along with medication if required, helps in bringing down anxiety levels in the body, restoring normalcy.
Social withdrawal
Another ill-effect of an ensuing mental ill-health condition is social withdrawal. Those experiencing sickness, difficulty in relationships, financial losses or any other challenging situation, often retract in a shell. They tend to snap ties with loved ones and this leads to a lack of support, a requisite for anyone with a mental condition.
Meeting people and maintaining relationships is essential for robust health as good health is a combination of physical, mental and social wellbeing. Going for therapy in such a situation becomes essential as social ties have to be maintained, restored and nurtured.
Feeling suicidal
Loss of hope and developing a negative attitude which spans a longer period than usual, may sometimes lead to thoughts of harm to self or others. Such suicidal tendencies are not only dangerous, they lead to further deterioration of the individual’s mental health.
Developing suicidal thoughts is a clear sign of distress which demands reaching out for help as early as possible. Psychotherapy, psychological counselling or talk therapy explore the fundamental issues that make one suicidal and teach skills that help manage such feelings more effectively.
Phobia crippling everyday life
Another debilitating situation could be experiencing a phobia which makes it difficult for you to navigate situations. Just like any other mental condition, phobias also have stigmas attached to them and people do not talk openly about it, making it even more complicated. While we all have fears which we overcome sooner or later, phobias are uncontrollable, irrational and last long enough to overwhelm, leading to panic attacks or completely unexpected responses. Therapies are helpful in overcoming major phobias as they condition the brain to face the source of fear, thus enabling a normal lifestyle.
It is important to remember that you and your therapist are a team that works together for your success. Often, the situation may not get resolved in one meeting and you may have to develop a treatment plan to make the road ahead smoother for you.. After few sessions, an improvement in symptoms, outlook and general wellbeing is often observed. Therapy works when you open yourself with determination to get back to a ‘happier’ you!
FAQs
when is professional help required for a mental issue?
If every aspect of life – like productivity, happiness and physical health is impacted for a prolonged period, seeking professional help is certainly required.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental disorder that leads to a lingering feeling of sadness and a loss of interest or drive to do anything.
Does therapy help in overcoming phobias?
Therapies are helpful in overcoming major phobias as they condition the brain to face the source of fear, thus enabling a normal lifestyle.
How does psychotherapy help in managing suicidal feelings?
Psychotherapy, psychological counselling or talk therapy explores the fundamental issues that make one suicidal and teach skills that help manage such feelings more effectively.