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Since the start of my career as a mental health therapist, the most common question posed by prospective clients is, “How do I benefit from going to therapy?” Well, the answer is not a one-size-fits-all type of response. Generally, the outcome of seeking mental health therapy usually results in the growth or desired change in the issues being addressed in the treatment sessions.
If you are failing to reach success or achieve your goals despite reasonable efforts, this may mean your mental health isn’t functioning optimally. You can change your mental health status and turn this around at any time. In therapy, you regain your ability to restore wellness and positivity into your life.
Therapists are impartial, non-judgemental, confidential professionals who give you the space and voice to express and work through internal and external struggles. They can also help you:
gain new insights, perspectives, resources and educationchallenge unhealthy or unhelpful habits, ways of thinking and behavinglearn or reinforce healthy coping mechanismsvalidate your thoughts, ideas and emotions.
Therapists have extensive training and education in the theories and methods that help clients achieve their personal goals through intervention and treatment planning. During therapy, you can develop skills and insights that transform your inner self. You don’t need to have a disorder or a serious mental health issue to attend and benefit from therapy. Therapy is mind work.
It is important to know that mental health symptoms can often go unrecognizable. Some people, at certain times, can develop harmful, problematic, detrimental and even debilitating mental health symptoms. Below I have provided some signs, symptoms and signals related to your mental health.
If you are struggling with any of the following, this may mean it is time for you to seek out a trusted mental health therapist:
Anxiety, nervousness and fear Feeling overwhelmed or panickyLack of motivation or directionExtreme mood changes that result in high or low moods such as mania or depressionDifficulty concentrating or focusingFeeling easily distractedFeeling worthless, lost, sad or depressedFeeling irritable or easily agitatedHaving frequent bad dreams, nightmares or night tremorsHaving flashbacks of traumatic or troubling events or circumstancesFeeling easily startled, watchful or guardedEither a noticeable increase or decrease in appetiteEating too much or too littleIrrational thought patternsDrinking or using drugs more than usualEngaging in irregular and risky sexual behaviorsPreoccupation with sexual thoughtsFeeling urges to gamble despite consequencesFeeling discouraged or hopeless about the futureIsolating and seeking out more moments of solitude or wanting to be aloneAvoiding specific people, places and things Frequent physical aches or pains due to distressDifficulty experiencing pleasureForgetfulness or issues with memoryArguing frequently or experiencing increased conflictsBecoming obsessed with trivial or small pursuitsExperiencing unwanted, repetitive behaviorsBeing uncaring or aggressiveFeeling numbSeeking out attention or noticeable attention-seeking behaviorsHaving noticeable mean or cruel behaviorFeelings of guilt or shameFeeling needy or as if your needs are going unmetFeeling disconnected from your physical bodyFeeling paranoidExperiencing unwanted and unpleasant thoughtsHaving trouble making decisionsDifficulty thinking logicallyFeeling overly emotional or reactive to certain situationsLosing or the loss of interest in personal appearance, self-care and groomingLosing interest in doing things once found to be pleasurableLosing or gaining significant and noticeable weightMissing appointments, frequent cancellations or absencesNegative thoughts or thinking patternsNeglecting children, pets or caregiving responsibilitiesConcerns from other people about getting helpProblems with the police or the legal systemRacing or rapid thoughtsFeeling speedy or slowed downFeeling that others are trying to hurt you or something bad is going to happen to youFeeling restlessnessFeeling frequently fatigued and exhaustedSeeing or hearing things others don’tFeelings of excitementIrregular or unhealthy sleeping patterns such as sleeping too much or too littleDiscontinuing medications or wanting to take more medication than recommendedThoughts of hurting yourself or thought about hurting other others
These 57 mental health signs, symptoms and signals are common reasons why people seek out mental health therapy. However, they aren’t the only signs.
It can be difficult to accept that you may need help. Most private therapists provide free consultations to discuss prospective clients’ mental health symptoms before scheduling an appointment. These consultations provide an opportunity for you to confidentially discuss your mental health issues to find out how therapy can work for you. If you think you need mental health therapy, you are not alone. Seek out help, you’ll be one step closer to your transformation.