In my early 20s, I moved to a new country with my partner. I was away from my friends and family, and it was a tough time with a lot of challenges.
That’s when I made the decision to go to therapy. If you’re also wondering if therapy is a good idea, here are some signs that it could be helpful:
1. I couldn’t stop thinking about my problems.
They took up so much space in my mind that it was hard to think about anything else. When you find yourself stuck on a problem, going over and over it in your mind, talking to a therapist can be incredibly helpful.
2. I felt more confused, sad, and down than ever before.
It got to the point where I felt depressed. I talked to a doctor who suggested medication. But since I knew my sadness stemmed from my situation, I thought trying therapy first might be better.
3. You have physical signs of emotional stress.
If you have trouble sleeping, feel constant pain, lose your appetite, or have medical issues that don’t make sense, these could be linked to emotional stress. A therapist can help you figure out if what’s bothering you inside is affecting your body too.
4. You’re engaging in unsafe thoughts and behaviors.
If you think scary thoughts of hurting yourself, or if you start using alcohol or drugs to feel better or get numb, those are serious signs that it’s time to talk to someone.
5. You’re stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns.
If you repeatedly find yourself in the same kind of unhappy relationships, or people often say you’re hard to connect with, a therapist can help you understand why and help change those patterns.
6. You don’t feel like your usual self.
Some signs of needing therapy will be internal. You may experience repetitive, distressing thoughts or suddenly feel down or feel like you are not your usual self. Sometimes, there’s an obvious reason for this change, and other times, not.
7. You have childhood trauma.
Many people go to therapy to heal from negative childhood experiences, like being neglected or hurt. These experiences create protective reactions that were helpful when you were younger but can be problematic in adulthood.
8. External factors are causing issues.
Some of the issues you are facing might be external. For example, difficult family dynamics, the loss of a loved one, or workplace bullying. External events can have a huge impact on your mental health. If you find yourself struggling, reach out and find a therapist.
Realizing you might need therapy is a big step toward healing. Therapy is a private place to talk about your feelings, learn more about yourself, and get better at handling challenges.
Remember, asking for help shows strength, and it’s the first step to feeling happier and more in control of your life.
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Jennifer Nurick, MA, is a clinical psychotherapist, counselor, and energetic healer with over two decades of expertise. She is also the author of Heal Your Anxious Attachment, a holistic guide offering a trauma-informed approach grounded in neuroscience, mindfulness, and polyvagal theory. This insightful guide aims to help you cultivate self-worth, self-trust, and confidence, ultimately enabling you to approach life and relationships from a place of calm, clarity, and connectedness.
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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