Everyone experiences anxiety, sadness, grief, and conflict, so how do you know when it’s time to see a professional? The biggest red flag is duration. While occasional feelings of worthlessness or sadness are inevitable, when these feelings don’t seem to go away, that may signal a problem.
Overall Health
While mental health is often put in a lower category than physical health, the two are both vital for overall health. The link between mind and body is scientifically proven to be very strong. For example, mental and emotional problems can lead to physical problems. Be careful not to minimize the importance of emotional and mental wellness to overall health.
While mental health is often put in a lower category than physical health, the two are both vital for overall health.
1) Pinballing Between Extremes
It’s normal to occasionally feel angry, ecstatic or sad. When these emotions are incredibly intense and uncontrollable, that might signal a problem. Pinballing from extreme happiness to debilitating depression may be a symptom of mental illness.
2) Past Trauma
Previous instances of trauma (such as assault, abuse or a death in the family) can linger for years. It’s normal to feel on edge, have trouble sleeping, or be plagued with bad memories after a traumatic event. Initially it may be hard to conduct life normally, but usually after a few weeks or months, feelings of panic and depression should abate. If they do not, you may need help.
3) Substance Abuse
If you find yourself drinking or using drugs in greater quantities or more frequently than usual, these could be signs that you’re attempting to ignore feelings that need to be addressed. It’s important to seek guidance before these issues become a full-blown addiction.
4) Problems in Your Relationship
Couples and family members often encounter challenging times in their relationships. Conflict is inevitable, but resolution is the natural result. If resolution proves elusive and conflict seems prolonged, it may be wise to consider counseling.
5) Feelings of Worthlessness
Feeling down is an inevitable part of the human condition, but its not normal for these feelings to linger or increase. Feeling as though you’re worth nothing is not healthy. Low self esteem, depression and self loathing are all negative mindsets that can seriously impair your mental health.
6) Withdrawing From friends & Family
Disillusionment is the a general sense of unhappiness in situations that previously made you happy. Perhaps you feel numb, sad, or unmotivated. When these feelings build, you may begin to withdraw from family and friends. This might be a general feeling of apathy, or an attempt to hide your struggle.
Break the Stigma
Many people experiencing mental health problem fail to seek help. Psychologists attribute this to the stigma and stereotypes attached with seeing a therapist. This creates a delay in treatment, allows mental illness to progress. Seeing a counselor sooner than later will only help you get clarity
Finding the Right Counselor
If you think you need to talk to a counselor, you might not be sure where to start. Speak with your family doctor for guidance, or call your health insurance provider for a list of in-network counselors. Don’t be afraid to ask for an initial consultation to ensure that it’s a good fit.
If you are struggling with any of these issues and need to talk to someone, Contact Us today.
