When Is The Time To Seek Psychological Help? Recognizing The Signs
Mental health is essential for well-being, but we often ignore the signs that indicate we cannot handle the mental situations, symptoms or disorders we face. In these times, when our personal and family resources have been depleted, it is crucial to seek the help of a trained professional to find a more fulfilling life. As a clinical psychologist, I recognize these signs as “red flags” that something is wrong. In this article, I invite you to explore the warning signs, triggers, and benefits of seeking psychological help, as well as the right time to do so.
The most common red flags are persistent anxiety, drastic changes in mood, difficulty concentrating or sleeping, overwhelming feelings of sadness or hopelessness to name a few. While a moderate and sporadic dose of these situations may be a part of life, if these symptoms significantly interfere with daily functioning and affect quality of life, it is a sign that a third party may be needed for sustained and lasting recovery in time.
Stressful or traumatic events can trigger the need for psychological help. Significant losses, major life changes, troubled interpersonal relationships, or chronic stress can put a great strain on your emotional well-being. It is important to recognize when these events are negatively affecting your mental health and seek appropriate support.
Psychological problems not only affect your emotional state, but also your daily life. Difficulties at work or school, conflicts in your personal relationships, problems meeting daily responsibilities, or even physical symptoms such as headaches or digestive problems can be indicative of the need for professional help. Recognizing how these problems affect your daily life is the first step in seeking help.
Now, it is common to feel resistance to seeking psychological help. Social stigma, fear of judgment from others, denial of the need for help, or the belief that we must handle our problems alone can hinder access to appropriate care. It is important to overcome these barriers and prioritize our mental health. In other words, “you don’t have to give yourself a bad life.”
How can a psychology professional help me?
Seeking psychological help can provide you with a series of benefits, which are not minor, and can make a difference in how you feel in the world and in your own skin. Therapy provides you with a safe and supportive space to explore your deepest thoughts and feelings understand the behavioral patterns that may be contributing to your difficulties and develop effective strategies to manage your problems.
Therapy, designed to help you “think your stuff,” can also help you improve your self-esteem, strengthen your relationships, and find a greater sense of well-being in your life. It’s about being able to use your history for a better future for yourself… What went wrong for you in your childhood?… Hard, but today we know that a difficult past is not a condemnation. Therapy seeks to transform the relationship with those experiences, and learn from your past to build a healthier and more satisfying future.
The right time to seek psychological help is when symptoms or difficulties affect daily life. It is crucial not to wait for problems to get worse. Recognizing and addressing problems early can help prevent them from becoming more serious and make the recovery process easier. Although living intrinsically brings suffering, one should not suffer unnecessarily.
There are a variety of resources available for those seeking psychological help. You can look for individual therapists, mental health centers, helplines, online services, or support groups in your community. Find the resource that best suits your needs and preferences and take the first step towards better mental health.
Recognizing when it is time to seek psychological help is crucial to starting the process towards recovery and emotional well-being. It is important to understand that asking for help is not a reason for shame, but rather an act of courage and self-care. Although therapy does not guarantee instant recovery, simply seeking help is a significant step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
