Seeing a Therapist for Mental Health Concerns

Deciding to see a therapist for your mental health concerns is one of the best decisions that you can make. Talk therapy is an effective way to address many mental health issues because it provides you with the skills to control the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors that exacerbate your mental health issues. Alternatives like medication only address the symptoms caused by the disorder.

A therapist uses psychotherapy to identify past trauma and other issues that might be causing a patient’s mental health issues. Then, they help change harmful behaviors by educating the patient about their triggers and showing them better ways to cope with their thoughts and emotions.

Reasons to see a therapist for mental health issues

Mental health issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and phobias are not the only reasons that a person should consider therapy. In the same way that people can take care of their bodies by exercising, therapists can take care of people's minds by helping them better understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Let us take a look at a few reasons that someone should seek the services of a therapist to address their mental health issues.

1. Feeling overwhelmed by sadness or helplessness

Depression can lead to overwhelming feelings of sadness or helplessness. Tragic or traumatic events can also trigger such emotions. Treatment for depression typically involves combining psychotherapy with medication. Other signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Extreme guilt, hopelessness, or sadness.
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits.
• Low energy.
• Self-harming thoughts.

2. Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and worry

Feeling anxious before an important event like a job interview is normal, but constantly feeling worried or anxious is not. It might be a sign of anxiety disorder. Treatment for the condition usually involves combining therapy with medication. Other symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

• Insomnia.
• Fatigue.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Irritation or restlessness.

3. Struggles with life challenges

Circumstances can develop that make daily life overwhelming. For example, people often report having overwhelming emotions after losing a job, dealing with the death of a loved one, or ending a relationship.

Psychotherapy can help put things in perspective. It also teaches patients better ways to cope with the emotions brought on by their circumstances. Not being to handle one’s emotions often leads to poor decision-making.

4. Mental health disorders

Talk therapy can provide effective treatment for a wide variety of mental health issues. It also offers a permanent solution because patients can use the tools that the therapist gives them for the rest of their lives. Examples of mental illnesses that can be treated with therapy include:

• Eating disorders.
• Phobias.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Substance abuse.