Verywell / Catherine Song
You may have thought about seeing a therapist at one point or another.
Knowing when to see a therapist can be a little challenging sometimes.
After all, everyone has a bad day or goes through a rough patch every now and again.
But how do you know when talking to someone might help?
The following list outlines some of the reasons you may benefit from speaking to a therapist.
Find out which option is the best for you.
You might be stressed and have difficulty managing and processing all of your feelings.
And, it’s possible you’re not dealing with them in the most effective ways.
This is where a therapist comes in.
A therapist can help you navigate your feelings and provide you with tools to manage them.
You Want Help Managing Stress
Life is inherently stressful.
You cant get rid of all the stress in your life.
In fact, some stress is good for you.
But, if youre having trouble managing your stress, you may want to talk to someone.
Keep in mind that almost any coping skill can be unhealthy.
And if youre struggling to overcome the obstacles in your way, a therapist may be able to help.
Your work together may include anything from learning how toestablish healthier boundariesto discovering why you oftensabotage your relationships.
A therapist can help you discover the reasons for your behaviors.
A therapist can help you deal with these events.
You Want Some Parenting Support
Parenting is tough, and it can be scary at times.
After all, how do you know if youre giving your child too much responsibility or not enough support?
A therapist can help you deal with a traumatic event.
This could prevent you from developing PTSD or it may help you find more meaning in your life.
It may even help you grow from your experience.
A therapist can help.
Your Mood Is Affecting Your Work
Its normal to feel down or anxious sometimes.
A therapist can help you get unstuck.
But, you might notice a major change in your appetite or sleep habits.
Some people lose their appetite when theyre struggling emotionally.
Other people eat more in an effort to control their feelings.
The same can be said for sleep.
Some people experience sleepless nights while others sleep too much when they are having a hard time.
You might not even experience a change in the number of hours you sleep.
You might just feel exhausted all the time because the quality of your sleep is suffering.
Of course, its normal for your interests to come and go.
Maybe you are growing a littledepressed.
Or maybe you are developing some anxiety.
At other times, it can be a problem in itself.
While your social calendar doesnt need to be overflowing every weekend, too little social contact can be unhealthy.
Your relationships greatly impact your psychological well-being.
Of course, its not always the quantity of relationships that matters.
Having dozens of acquaintances may not be as helpful as having two close friends.
But its important that you have some people you enjoy spending time with.
If you dont, consider talking to a therapist.
A therapist may help you find people you might connect with.
Perhaps you just havent surrounded yourself with the right people.
You Want to Change Unhelpful Thinking Patterns
Everyone experiencescognitive distortionssometimes.
These are the untrue thoughts that can be tough to eliminate.
Maybe your unhealthy thinking patterns involve the harsh self-criticism you give yourself.
Rather than be kind when you make a mistake, maybe you call yourself names and put yourself down.
The conversations you have with yourself matter.
And the way you think will affect the way you feel and how you perform.
You might not even be able to pinpoint why that might be.
If you feel like this, you might want to talk to a therapist.
Sometimes, a few simple tweaks are all it takes to improve the quality of your life.
Sometimes, however, people dont seek help because theyre embarrassed.
And often, people dont understand their symptoms or why they cant change their behavior on their own.
It is important to know that mental illnesses are treatable.
And the sooner you talk to someone, the sooner you may be able to start to feel better.
Keep in mind youre in charge of your treatment.
You get to decide what you talk about in therapy or whether you want to take medication.
If you decide to seek mental health support, you might start by talking to your physician.
They may be able to help you find a therapist that is right for you.
Talking to someone outside of your family and friends might help you in more ways than one.
Keep in mind that talking to a mental health professional doesnt mean anything is wrong with you.
You might simply decide that seeing a therapist is what helps you become the best version of yourself.
And talking to someone isnt a sign of weakness.
After all, it takes strength to admit you dont have all the answers.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
2019;45(7):1028-1041. doi:10.1177/0146167218802837
