A while back we wrote a blog on “6 Signs It’s Time to Seek Mental Health Therapy.” We received feedback asking about other signs, so here is part-two of the signs to seek therapy…

You’ve undergone a huge life change – it could be starting a new job, losing a family member or moving to a different city. – no matter the significance of the change, if you feel it affects your mental well-being – seek therapy.

If you’re having a hard time adjusting or things aren’t going as planned, you might feel stuck or even regret the decisions you’ve made – seek therapy.

Struggling with mental health issues, major life challenges or other emotional difficulties is hard but not something you have to go through alone. 

Therapy can help improve symptoms of many mental health conditions and help you get back on your feet. Talk therapy, counseling or psychotherapy, such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can help you develop strong coping skills. 

Everyone goes through hardships at some point in life, but if it feels like a larger mental health issue is affecting you or you’re noticing negative changes in your day-to-day life, these may be signs you should go to therapy.

Do you know the signs of when you should seek mental health treatment?

Read on to learn more and if you’re near Austin, TX, call us today!

How Common Are Mental Health Issues?

Mental health issues may be more common than you think. 

The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that annually, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. is affected by mental illness, while 1 in 6 American youth aged 6 to 17 experiences some type of mental health disorder. Additionally, 1 in 20 adults experiences severe mental health setbacks each year. 

Despite these statistics showing how common mental health disorders are, less than half of people see a therapist or seek other mental health treatment from a trained professional. 

If mental health concerns go untreated, they can worsen and lead to severe consequences. Examples of consequences include:

  • Increased risk of physical health issues
  • Difficulty with work or school
  • Tension in relationships or inability to care for children
  • Hospitalization
  • Suicide

For people in the U.S. between the ages of 10 and 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Most of those people live with a mental health condition. 

Before your struggles become serious, reach out to a mental health professional to help you deal with emotional distress. The right therapist will provide a judgment-free space where you can discuss relationship issues, childhood trauma or potentially harmful actions you’ve committed or considered. 

If you’re still unsure whether the mental health challenges you’re dealing with warrant therapy, take a look at these signs that can point to a larger problem. 

1. Your Eating and Sleeping Habits Have Changed

Eating less or actively avoiding food may point to eating disorders or other serious physical health concerns. 

If you feel you aren’t functioning correctly to the point that critical daily habits such as eating or sleeping have been disrupted, this can signify a mental and physical health problem. 

In this case, therapy can help you identify the underlying issue contributing to losing your appetite. 

Major life changes can also cause periods of insomnia or restlessness, especially if you’re having a hard time adjusting. 

When lack of sleep starts affecting your physical wellness and ability to successfully engage with daily life, such as work, school or home tasks, it may be time to talk to a therapist. 

2. You No Longer Enjoy the Things You Used To

Losing interest in things you’re passionate about and feeling low energy could indicate untreated mental health issues, such as clinical depression or bipolar disorder. 

Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder include decreased mood, little to no interest in hobbies and low energy levels. These low-energy moods could lead to feelings of frustration, anger or sadness, leaving you less inclined to turn to hobbies or interests and starting a never-ending cycle where you feel stuck. 

Seeking therapy can help pull you out of this rut.

deflated football showcasing a lack of enjoyment in daily fun activities

3. Your Emotions Are Intense

Experiencing a wide range of intense emotions that leave you feeling overwhelmed may mean you could benefit from mental health counseling. 

Therapy can help you identify and name the emotions you’re feeling and help you figure out if they’re a sign of anxiety disorders or a condition such as schizoaffective disorder

Undergoing extreme emotional highs and lows makes it hard to find balance and concentrate on your responsibilities. 

Therapy teaches people skills to grasp good emotional health by giving the issue a name and helping them realize they’re not alone. 

4. You Shy Away From Social Situations

Avoiding social situations isn’t always a bad thing. Shying away from social situations is a problem when it becomes a habit or you feel your health is declining from being alone. 

Feeling emotionally withdrawn from others, becoming suspicious of family and friends or experiencing difficulty participating in social activities can be signs of a condition such as schizophrenia

Healthy relationships with others are essential for overall mental well-being. Speaking to a licensed mental health professional can help you understand whether you’re simply taking time for yourself or outwardly avoiding social situations because of an underlying issue. 

Taking time to concentrate on a hobby or just relax and unwind can benefit your mental health. 

5. You’re Unsure of Who You Are

Maybe you’ve noticed changes in how you react to certain things or exhibited thoughts and behaviors that are uncharacteristic. 

Understanding why you might be feeling or reacting a certain way, especially when faced with new experiences or tragic circumstances, can help you break negative behavior patterns and adapt to the situation. 

A therapist is an unbiased shoulder to rest on and will offer steps of awareness and new behavioral tactics you can take to find assurance. 

6. You Could Use Someone to Talk To

Talking through your worries or other painful events can help you heal emotionally. 

Seeking support for an event that was hard to deal with and never talked about with anyone can lead to closure, especially if you’re having a tough time moving on. 

Talking therapy is meant to help you process emotions and understand why you’re reacting or thinking a certain way about past or current experiences. 

This is where a medical professional comes in.

A specifically trained psychologist knows just the right questions to ask. They can also help you manage stress better and develop stronger communication skills, which might encourage you to seek help sooner in the future. 

Are some of these signs ringing a bell?!

Alta Loma is Austin’s leading long-term mental health treatment facility

7. You Experienced a Trauma

Many people have experienced a tragic event beyond their control, whether an accident, bullying, assault or the death of someone they cared about. 

There’s no set timeline for trauma to kick in. You can experience thoughts or behaviors related to a traumatic event years later, which can interfere with personal relationships or cause physical symptoms along with emotional ones. 

Therapy can help you explore the emotional impact of trauma and better understand your psychosomatic or emotional responses to whatever triggered these thoughts. 

It can be difficult or even embarrassing to admit something traumatic happened to us, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Mental health professionals are there to provide needed help without judgment.  

Seek Help From a Mental Health Professional Near Austin, TX

If you’ve decided therapy is the right move, finding a professional you feel comfortable talking to who offers the kind of treatment you need is essential to a successful recovery. 

Along with helping you process difficult situations or identifying a mental health condition, therapy can provide other benefits as well, including:

  • More fulfilling relationships
  • Learning more about yourself
  • Achieving goals in other areas of your life
  • Better physical health

Alta Loma is a long-term mental health ranch located just minutes outside of Austin in Georgetown, Texas that helps men get the treatment they need. 

Contact us today for immediate service by calling 866-457-3843 and speaking to a mental health clinician. Get access to the care you deserve and take the first steps toward a more fulfilling life today.