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As a psychiatrist, I cringe when I hear therapy discussed like this.
Renée Mathews
Youre having trouble processing something in your life.
Therapy can help with both.
Are you more easily annoyed with your friends or family over the little things?
Are you becoming more enraged by your inbox with every passing day?
You dont feel like youre functioning at 100%…or anywhere close to it.
That’s data right there.
Therapy helps you figure out why these changes have occurred and how to get back to functioning more optimally.
You could use an unbiased, confidential person to talk to.
This is very different from the bang out of conversation you would have with a friend.
Therapy is [also] useful for naming obstacles to joy and getting guidance for overcoming those obstacles.
You seem to be repeating patterns in your life.
Another related sign is feeling a lack of control in their life generally or over their behaviors.
Therapy can help you learn to name, identify, and understand all those feelings you’re having.
For instance, maybe you’re overwhelmed with anger and irritability latelywhich is certainly not uncommon these days.
For example, is anxiety or stress driving it?
Is there a need for better communication?
Do you gotta take more self-care breaks so that you don’t feel as on edge?
Youre struggling with expectationslike the pressure to be constantly productive.
Perhaps most important, it can make you more understanding of the imperfections of being human.
Therapy can also teach skills to help deal with self-criticism and asserting your needs, adds Dr. Gordon.
Youre anticipatingor currently going througha major life transition.
We often get anxious about changelike moving, starting school, or starting a new job.
It helps you prepare for what to expect and make it a softer landing when the change does occur.
How do you position yourself to stay balanced despite the curveballs?
Self-awareness and coping skills learned through therapy are definitely one answer.
You experienced a trauma.
Youd like help working through difficult family or relationship dynamics.
Current and former family challengesmake for excellent exploration in therapywhether that’s in an individual or group setting.
You have a physical health condition.
Far too often we separate the mind and body, viewing mental illness as entirely different from physical illness.
Injury and illness affect us in many wayspractical, emotional, and social, Dr. McCabe explains.
You are living in a pandemic.
Seriously, every single one of us can use emotional support right now.
There really is no better time to prioritize self-improvement and stress reduction through therapy.
Adds Wise, 2020 was a walking cesspool of trauma.
We all had very different individual experiences.
I couldn’t agree more.
See more from ourGuide to Caring for Your Mental Health here.
