4 Signs Someone Needs Help
Counseling and therapy are more mainstream than they were in the past. According to Barna, approximately 42% of Americans will see a counselor at some point in their lives. And most of them benefit greatly from it. Approximately 76% have "very positive" or "somewhat positive" experiences. Even so, making the decision to see a therapist can be a difficult one.
Individuals who may benefit from therapy include those who are experiencing depression, self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, actively grieving over a loss or suffering the effects of past trauma. Here are some warning signs to watch for and which suggest it may be time to see someone.
Feeling Down or Not Oneself
While the symptoms of depression vary among individuals, most people with depression report feeling down or not quite like themselves. Other signs of depression include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of interest, anger or irritability, loss of energy, sleep changes and self-destructive behavior, according to HelpGuide.
Self-Medicating with Harmful Substances
Many people mask or soothe the symptoms of their issues via self-medication. In addition to abusing harmful substances, such as alcohol and drugs, self-medication can take more seemingly innocent forms. For example, binge-eating, binge-watching TV and drinking lots of coffee for a caffeine rush can all be forms of self-medication. Engaging in any activity regularly in order to stave off bad feelings may point to self-medicating.
Of course, there is a fine line between using proven and healthy coping mechanisms and choosing to self-medicate. Therapists can help sort this out, too.
Grieving
Grieving for a lost loved one, a failed relationship, a stalled career or a lost home can have devastating consequences on mental health. While a necessary and healthy process, grief can get overwhelming and may lead to other mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal ideation, warns Scientific American. Having someone to talk to during the grieving process can help keep the grief on track and help to keep a person moving through rather than getting stuck in the process.
Suffering the Effects of Past Trauma
Trauma changes the brain. Fortunately, the brain is plastic or malleable, which means it’s possible to undo or reverse the effects of most past trauma with medication and/or therapy. Changing the brain takes lots of effort and repetition. And it doesn’t happen quickly, says Psychology Today. Therapy can provide the strategies and techniques to help an individual change the effects of past trauma, while also focusing on moving forward. There are a number of tools including EMDR therapy, mindfulness practices, and more. Trauma victims may need to keep a therapist around for long periods to help them stay on course.
Therapy can help patients navigate difficult periods in their lives. It may even bring a sense of peace and wellbeing that other treatment options can’t. For those who have ever been curious about how therapy can relieve their symptoms and transform their lives, there has never been a better time than right now to find out how therapy may help.
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