10 Signs You Need To Seek a Mental Health Professional

People experience mood swings, stress, and anxiety. Everyone has experienced some or all of these things at some point in their lives. These emotions can stem from personal or professional experiences. Most of the time, we are able to overcome and get on with our lives, but sometimes we may need that extra help to overcome.

You can be feeling down or have a sense of emptiness, and you do not think you are able to snap out of it or rise above these feelings. Maybe you notice that you have negative behaviors or reactions to normal everyday stressors. At times its noticeable at other times, it is not immediately recognized.

Often at times, people think therapy is just for those who suffer from mental illness when in actuality, it can benefit anyone who experiences stress, intense emotions, transitions in life, or even someone just looking to make improvements. It is important that a person knows that when you reach out for therapy or help, it is not a sign that you are weak, it is a positive step in self-care, and the sooner you realize this and seek the help that is needed, the faster your life will get back on track.

These are 10 signs that it may be time to seek professional help, according to some mental health experts:

1. You are having difficulty getting control of your emotions.

When feeling sad, anxious or angry, it is important to pay attention to how often or how intense these feelings are. In children, instead of experiencing increased sadness, there are  signs of irritability, anger or hostility towards others. Therapy can help a parent or child manage emotions in an effective way.

2. You are not performing as effectively at work or school.

When there is a decrease in work or school performance, this is typically a sign that there are psychological or emotional issues. When there are mental health issues, it can impair one's attention span, memory, energy, and it can also result in apathy which takes away the enjoyment or drive to work. There may be a lack of interest or even errors in work or school.

3. You are experiencing changes or disruptions in sleep or appetite.

A person who is anxious or in a manic state may have problems sleeping and have a suppressed appetite, but someone that is depressed might sleep all the time. People who are overwhelmingly stressed may overeat to dull their emotions although others can barely eat because they do not have an appetite. If you notice that you have been eating or sleeping less or more than you normal do, it may be time to evaluate your situation.

4. You are struggling to build or maintain relationships.

A person's mental health can impact relationships in a number of different ways. It may cause a person to separate themselves from those close to them such as family or friends and also create insecurities in relationships. People who have issues with their emotions have problems creating and maintaining relationships at work or school, working in teams or communicating with superiors, colleagues or subordinates.  If you find yourself in constant conflict with others or have difficulty communicating your feelings to others, therapy can help you.

5. You have experienced trauma.

People who have a history of physical or sexual abuse or another type of trauma they have not completely recovered or mentally healed from can benefit from therapy. They will be able to explore their painful experiences with someone who is able to help them cope. A new way of thinking about the traumatic event along with techniques will be taught.

6. You no longer enjoy activities you typically did.

People struggling with psychological or emotional issues can feel a disconnect or alienation from life. Things such as hobbies or socializing, a person will lose interest in.  According to some psychologists, the most common causes of continuous disinterest and the feelings of emptiness includes depression, grief and abuse and neglect as a child. Increased isolation, apathy about one's future and a person wishing they were not alive is a sign of depression. Therapy can help a person who suffers from depression and it can also help them figure out what may be blocking or holding them back from what they want to achieve. Therapy is known to help a person get rid of negative thoughts and behavior and connect back with what initially brought joy into their lives.

7. You are grieving.

A person that experiences a breakup or loss of a loved one can be going through grief that can be very painful, especially when they have no one to lean on to help them with the emotional burden. Therapy or grief counseling will help someone who is grieving find a safe and compassionate space to process their loss and manage the emotions that come with it.

8. Your physical health has been affected.

Some people do not take care or nurture their mental health the same way that they do their physical health. Certain mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression can have an effect on your physical health. This happens because psychological issues affect the central nervous system which has an impact on a persons endocrine, immune, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health systems. Symptoms that may occur are headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and pains, weaker immune systems, chr0nic inflammation, etc. If a person suffers from any of these conditions, they could benefit from mental health treatment and support.

9. You want to improve yourself but do not know where to start.

Seeking therapy can help a person become the best person they can be towards themselves and also to others. A therapist can help you seek a better understanding  or a better outcome of particular issues that you may find yourself in that affect your relationships. A different point of view so you are able to understand how others are impacted will be something a therapist can help with. Understanding how your behavior affects another person helps you to be more effective in your interactions. A person's negative patterns and behaviors can be identified to aid in initiating positive patterns.

10.You are using substance or sex to cope.

When a person is suffering from mental or emotional stress they can turn to things that may feel rewarding, soothing, distracting or destructive to help cope. these things are considered coping mechanisms. Using substances can temporarily help with unwanted feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, irritability, and negative thoughts. What one does not realize is that it can make things worse and unfortunately lead to abuse or dependence.

If  you or someone you know find yourself in a destructive predicament, make an appointment and get the help that is needed.