IS THERAPY FOR ME?

Persistent Sadness, Anger or Worry

 

​It's normal to experience a range of emotions, but if certain feelings are taking the driver's seat too often, or are disproportionate to the situation, it may be time to seek support. For example, if you find yourself persistently feeling sad, angry, or worrying excessively, and it's getting in the way of things you need to get done or occupying hours of your day, it will help to explore this with a professional psychologist.

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Difficulty managing stress

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If you're having trouble dealing with stress, you may find yourself lashing out, procrastinating tasks, neglecting your physical health, overworking, or burning out. In these situations, it can be helpful to discuss coping strategies with a psychologist. It is important to understand that chronic stress left untreated can take a serious toll on not only your mental health, but also your physical health.

 

It can lead to a host of physical and mental health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. That's why it's important to address stress and its symptoms as soon as possible, and to work with a professional to develop coping strategies that work for you. If a jam-packed schedule makes it hard to find time for self-care or support, consider online therapy to fit in around your schedule.

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Changes in sleep - too much or too little

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Difficulty sleeping can be a frustrating and debilitating experience, and sometimes a sign of an underlying mental health concern. If you're experiencing chronic insomnia, it can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty functioning throughout the day. This can lead to additional problems, such as difficulty concentrating, decreased productivity and an increased risk of accidents.

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A psychologist can help you identify the underlying causes of your insomnia and develop a personalized treatment plan that includes cognitive-behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle changes to help improve your sleep.

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Additionally, if you find yourself sleeping excessively, it may be a sign of an underlying mental health issue, such as depression. Sleeping too much, or too little can both be symptoms of mental health issues, and it's important to address these changes in your sleep patterns with a professional.

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A lack of interest in things you normally like, or 'not being yourself'

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Sometimes we lose interest in things that normally bring us joy, but it is important to distinguish between growing out of something and an overall loss of engagement or direction in life. This could indicate that there is an underlying issue that's affecting your mood, sense of purpose and engagement.

 

It could be a sign of depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Talk therapy can help you understand what's going on and provide you with the support and tools you need to re-connect and get back to feeling like yourself again.

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Abusing substances, sex, food, or alcohol to cope

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When you find yourself using alcohol or drugs more frequently and thinking about it often, it could be a sign that you're trying to numb feelings that require attention. This could also be the case with food - changes in appetite, be it overeating or not wanting to eat, can be a sign of underlying issues or neglecting self-care. Don't be afraid to reach out for help.

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Strained relationships

 

​If you're having trouble in your relationships, a therapist can help you understand what is going on and help you improve your communication and interpersonal skills. Beyond communication errors, strained relationships can also be a sign of an underlying issue like social anxiety or depression that impacts our ability to build healthy connections with others.

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Alternatively, people in your life may tell you they are worried about you or that they have noticed changes in your overall mental state or even physical health, (like weight gain or loss, or tiredness or irritability), that indicate it may be time to seek support.

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You have experienced trauma or loss

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A sharp turn, or traumatic event in life like losing a loved one, going through a separation, getting robbed, workplace-related trauma, or sexual trauma can cause carry-on impacts in your life.  Sometimes this happens right away, but it may be a change your start to notice over time.

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Symptoms of post-traumatic stress include re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the event, negative changes in mood and cognition, and increased feelings of anxiety, irritability, and arousal. It is a normal human reaction to have strong emotional responses to such events. However, with effective treatment, it is possible to overcome PTSD and improve your well-being.