Similar to check-ups designed to maintain your physical health, your mental health needs support and maintenance, too — particularly after the loss-filled challenges our world has collectively faced amidst lockdowns, illnesses, and various divisions.
Despite valiant efforts to reduce mental health stigma, it has persisted and contributes to 57.2% of adults not receiving care for their mental health concerns. You can reframe the thought of therapy. Therapy isn’t necessary because you’re broken or “losing it;” it is a step of strength and self-care that’s critical to your well-being.
Here we’ll discuss five common signs counseling is right for you.
Common Signs Counseling Is Right for You
How do you know if you need counseling services? Sometimes, your gut gives you signals that life feels “off,” and you sense that perhaps the support of a therapist might be helpful. Other times it’s more evident because your symptoms are causing significant consequences that are negatively affecting your life.
Counselors are well-trained to help you using evidence-based counseling methods that empower you to thrive. Below are five common signs counseling is right for you.
1. You don’t enjoy doing the things you used to enjoy.
Have you found that activities like getting together with friends, going out, and even sex don’t seem to spark your interest anymore? Depression can steal the joy you once experienced from doing things you once loved to do, and counseling can help you overcome it.
2. You’re suffering from unrelenting feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness.
Everyone feels down now and then. But when feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness last for more than two weeks, it indicates that it’s time to seek counseling support.
3. You have experienced the loss of someone or something important.
Loss is a catalyst for grief, and grieving is a natural response to losing someone or something you cared about. Grief says, “That mattered.” A counselor can help you process your grief and work through losses such as:
- The death of a loved one.
- An illness.
- A divorce or break-up.
- A job loss.
- Changes after life transitions.
4. You have experienced trauma-inducing events.
People tend to think that only those who have served in the military suffer from trauma or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), but many other life events can lead to traumatic responses. For example, abuses in childhood or adulthood, an accident, being the victim of a crime, or an illness can cause you to experience trauma responses that affect your quality of life. Counseling can equip you with strategies to overcome trauma triggers and heal.
5. Everything feels like “climbing a mountain.”
Does it feel like a heroic feat to get out of bed in the morning because you’re so exhausted? You may be sleeping more than usual, and the extra rest doesn’t improve your fatigue. Your body physically feels like lead making every task feel monumental. These are signs that counseling is right for you.
Eunoia Can Help
At Eunoia, we understand the uneasiness that can accompany your first phone to a counselor.
Our skilled counselors lessen apprehension and talk with you to help you determine if counseling is right for you. Contact us today for an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.