Signs You May Need Therapy

The ebb and flow of the tides of life can pull at each of us from time to time. Sometimes things are going well, and it’s easy to feel grateful and content. Other times, it is harder to find the sunny side. Mental health does not mean you never feel sad, but having sad, angry, or anxious feelings that affect your daily life for extended periods of time might mean that you are experiencing issues with your mental health. Experiencing trauma, either during childhood or later in life, can also cause mental health issues. Because these issues can impact your quality of life and may get worse if left untreated, it is important to be aware of signs that you may need therapy. Working with a skilled, caring therapist can help you gain the tools you need to deal with all of life’s ups and downs–tools that can help you have a more meaningful, fulfilling life for years to come.

Despite some of the outdated social stigma that some still associate with mental health treatment, it is a sign of strength to accept help–not a sign of weakness. Admitting that you may benefit from therapy is no different. Here are a few signs that you may need therapy:

Changes in sleep schedule

The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is about 8 hours per night. However, some people tend to average anywhere from 7 to 9 hours per night. Other than those who are chronically sleep-deprived, most people know how many hours of sleep per night make them feel their best. If you notice that you have been sleeping several hours more, or less, per day, for over two weeks, then this would qualify as a significant change in your sleep schedule. By itself, it may not indicate that you definitely need therapy, but as part of a larger picture, it could help you understand where you are at in managing your mental health–and whether you need some help to get back to a healthy place.

Symptoms of depression

As described above, changes in your sleeping habits could be a symptom of depression, but these changes alone do not indicate depression. Other symptoms of depression include deep feelings of hopelessness, loss of enjoyment in activities that are usually fun or satisfying, and, in extreme cases, thoughts of being “better off dead” or other suicidal ideas. If you ever consider harming yourself or others, please understand that having those thoughts can be a sign of a mental health issue that therapy could help you deal with in a healthy way.

Anger problems at work or home

It is normal to get frustrated every so often, or even angry at yourself, your loved ones, or your coworkers. However, it is also normal for that anger to subside as problems are worked through or otherwise resolved. If you find yourself dwelling on resentments or feeling unreasonably angry over minor issues, you may benefit from therapy to help you process your feelings of anger. A therapist can help you develop coping mechanisms so that your reaction to your own feelings does not take control of your life.

A history of trauma

Experiencing trauma in your life doesn’t only mean that you are a soldier who has been to war. There are many ways that people can experience trauma. These include experiencing domestic abuse at any age, going through a tough divorce (either as the married person or as a child whose parents divorced), witnessing a terrible accident or injury, or the death of a loved one. Even an unexpected job loss can be traumatic. People who have experienced trauma can feel its lasting effects, sometimes diagnosed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, for years later. A therapist can help you work through these negative effects so that you may regain a sense of balance in life and a desire to move forward in a healthy, productive way.

If you have questions about whether you could benefit from working with a therapist, we would like to help. Chenal Family Therapy offers many compassionate, trained mental health professionals who specialize in helping clients address a wide range of issues. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you with whatever challenges you may be facing.