Listen, you don’t have to be deep in trauma to need someone to talk to. While there are times when it might seem obvious that an appointment with a therapist would be the right thing to do, there are other, more subtle moments, when it still might benefit you. Here are 12 signs that you should open up to someone who knows how to help.
Something happened
Someone got a diagnosis or passed away. You lost your job. Your relationship broke up. Something big happened at work, at home, with family or friends. One of the most common reasons to see a therapist is in the wake of something significant, life-changing, or earth-shattering. It’s perfectly normal to need extra support in times like these.
You’ve been blue for a while
You don’t need trauma to justify talking to a professional. If you’ve been sad for a significant period of time — every day, for two weeks or more — it’s time to dig a little deeper into the reasons why.
Your energy is super low
Apathy. Listlessness. An inability to concentrate. These are all signs that you might be depressed — and depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the US.
Your worries know no bounds
If you’re overwhelmed by your own worries, if you’ve been dwelling on the negative, ruminating, or have been battling intrusive or obsessive thoughts, you might need help managing those concerns.
You’re getting negative feedback
Yes, sometimes it really does feel like the whole world is against you. But sometimes the world is just giving you feedback, helping you see that you are perhaps carrying more emotional or psychological weight than you can handle right now — and it’s showing.
Things you used to love are just kinda meh
That’s why they call it the blahs. When you can’t derive pleasure from the things that reliably perk you up — be it food, other people, or a good book — then there might be something deeper going on.
You’re self-medicating
Maybe a little glass of wine with dinner turns into the whole bottle. Or you can’t seem to get through the day without a little something. If you’re relying on something to help mask uncomfortable feelings — be it alcohol, drugs, or even food — it’s definitely time to talk to someone.
Your sleep is off — like, really off
All you want to do is sleep and you can’t get out of bed. Or all you want to do is sleep but you’re riddled with insomnia. In either case, when your body is clearly out of its normal rhythm, take note.
Your body is telling you it’s not happy
And it’s not just your sleep habits. With stomachaches, headaches, and persistent fatigue, your body is talking to you. (In children, these are sometimes the only signs you have that something is wrong.) Of course, there are many reasons why you might have aches — stress, anxiety, and depression are just three of them.
You’re avoiding other people
A little alone time is good for you, and some of us are just introverts by nature. But actively avoiding other people is also one of the most common signs of depression.
It’s a Tuesday
Meaning, any day is a good day to talk to a therapist. If mental health issues didn’t have such a stigma, we might be seeing therapists as regularly as we see other health professionals.
It’s a crisis
Sometimes you can’t wait for an appointment to get the help you need. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text “HOME” to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the US, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.
