9 Signs You Need to Seek Professional Counseling Services

You don’t have to reach the brink of depression, experience trauma, or go “crazy” to seek counseling services. Likewise, not every challenge that life throws at you calls for therapy, particularly if you have supportive friends and family. Now, how do you know if you need counseling?

A lot of people may need therapy at some point in their lives. At times, the signs for needing counseling are obvious, but sometimes you only feel a nameless weight on your shoulders. So you continue with life hoping it goes away until everything becomes uncontrollable. Before it comes to this point, here are some signs you need to seek professional help.

1. Feeling off, angry, or sad

If you are sleeping or eating less than usual, just want to be alone, or are feeling a looming sadness over you most of the time, reach out to others before serious problems develop. If these negative emotions continue to the point where you wonder if life is worth continuing and you entertain suicidal thoughts, look for professional help right away. Unmanageable anger, sadness, and hopelessness are symptoms of a mental health issue that can be improved with counseling. People Psychology offers services to help manage depression.

2. Substance abuse

When you use alcohol or drugs – and sex – to help you feel better, something is not right. Your coping mechanism needs to change. If you feel helpless in controlling these behaviors or you can’t stop yourself despite knowing the negative consequences, your compulsive or addictive behavior needs treatment.

3. You’ve lost something or someone

Not everyone experiencing grief may need counseling, but it’s completely alright to seek help to overcome the sadness of losing a job or a loved one, a breakup, or a divorce. Grief can sometimes be challenging and would take a long time to conquer without professional help. Counseling would be especially helpful for people who are experiencing multiple losses over a short time.

4. You’ve lost interest in the things that you loved doing

If you’re no longer finding joy in doing the things you used to do, a professional can help you determine why. This can be a sign of depression or a person stuck in a rut. Therapy will help you evaluate the situation and find out what’s stopping you and make a plan to get over the situation. You should never ignore the signs of depression.

5. Difficulty in keeping relationships

If you usually find it difficult to keep your friends or often clash with other people, professional counseling can help. When you feel that romantic relationships are not worth the effort or are difficult to manage, it is another sign you should seek help. There could be more profound reasons for this that usually start early in life.

Talking with a therapist about your relationship history may provide insights into your present conflicts. During therapy, you may plan ways to communicate with others or act out difficult conversations with the therapist acting as your loved one, friend, or boss.

6. You experienced trauma

Experiences such as a miscarriage, an accident, discrimination and maltreatment at work, and sexual abuse can be traumatic, and other people may find it difficult to put the experience behind. If you find it difficult to sleep, work, or eat after a traumatic experience, consider getting counseling services.

7. You need more support

Sometimes, it helps to discuss your thoughts and emotions with someone outside your usual circle of friends and family. When you are dealing with a troubled relationship, job loss, or a new relationship, counseling is an excellent way to find support from somebody who is neutral – someone who won’t lecture or judge you.

8. People around you have shown concern

There are times when you only realize you need professional support when the people around you bring it up. Whether it is a family member, coworker, boss, friend, or spouse suggesting that you need help, it could be time you listen to them. The final say will still be yours, and you don’t have to do it just because someone told you so. However, if the people who care for you think so, it’s worth considering counseling.

9. You lack focus

You feel a constant worry, and you’re way too preoccupied with your thoughts that you have troubling concentrating at work or home. This may be a clue that you need therapy. Your lack of focus may get in the way of your relationships or ability to perform well at work, and counseling may help.

Final Thoughts

Counseling doesn’t have to be taken for the rest of your life. Depending on your case, your situation should improve within seven to ten visits. Some people even reported feeling better after just one session. Seeking professional help doesn’t just help you get through your difficult situation, but it also provides you skills to cope with future challenges.