There are many things that can affect a person’s mental health. So it’s not surprising that many people have had mental health problems recently. Mental health problems aren’t easy to handle, whether caused by abuse, childhood trauma, social isolation, neglect, discrimination, or other situations.
Luckily, there are many ways to overcome such situations. The first step in addressing mental health difficulties is to seek professional assistance through counseling. However, unfortunately, many people are still unable to seek professional care for their mental health. One cause is that they don’t know when they should seek help.
Knowing when one should start seeking professional counseling treatment from facilities like High Country Behavioral Health and other professional counsel providers is critical. But first, you need to learn a few things regarding mental health counseling.
Quick Facts About Mental Health Counseling
Mental health counseling, also known as talking therapy, is one of the most effective and trustworthy treatments for mental health issues such as mental disorders and psychological disturbances. Many can attest to how this therapy has helped people deal with emotional difficulties, life struggles, and mental health issues.
Mental health counseling and treatment may have a longer-lasting effect than prescriptions. This is because counselors, who provide mental health counseling and therapy to patients, delve deeper into the underlying issues that cause a disorder. In addition, they’re licensed and experienced specialists who assess a condition and provide treatments tailored for their patients’ mental health.
Suppose a person fails to seek professional help for their mental health concerns. As a result, they can experience relationship instability, poor school or work productivity, hospitalization, increased risks of health issues, or worse, suicide. Again, this emphasizes the significance of knowing when to seek mental health treatment.
Signs You Need Professional Mental Health Counseling
In addition to physical health, everyone must prioritize mental health. However, as stated above, many people fail to seek professional treatment despite its advantages, and one of the reasons is that they don’t know when they need it. Therefore, seeking mental health treatment as soon as possible is critical to prevent symptoms from intensifying.
Here are some signs that you or someone close to you should talk to a mental health professional:
- Prolonged Anger Or Sadness
Depression is a complicated feeling. It’s more than the sadness; you should handle it as quickly as possible. However, you may require professional assistance if you or a loved one suffers from depression symptoms such as extended melancholy, overthinking, or major sleep deprivation.
Not putting off psychiatric evaluation if you’re experiencing extended sadness or irritation is critical. Then, when you get help right away, the counselor may suggest antidepressants.
- Being Overly Worried
It’s natural to be concerned about frightening or unfamiliar situations. It’s also common to feel uneasy when things change suddenly and unexpectedly in your life. However, feeling like you’re drowning due to worry and continual terror is no longer natural or healthy.
Worrying too much can impair your ability to respond to life’s challenges and manage difficult situations healthily. As a result, if you or a loved one has anxious thoughts that keep you up all night, it may be time to consult a therapist.
- Withdrawal From Social Activities
Social disengagement can be a symptom of mental health problems. For example, one may want to be alone and avoid crowds, including those they know well, such as friends and relatives. This feeling can mean missing moments that make life worthwhile. If you feel disengaged from the rest of the world, that might be a sign to visit a specialist. A mental health professional can help determine what is causing this behavior and can help you get your life back on track.
- Emotional Distress
Life is full of struggles. There will always be times when you might feel demotivated and tired. These are normal, valid feelings, especially when you’re stuck in a rut. But if you find yourself unmotivated and lack the drive to do anything anymore more often than not, that’s not normal.
Extreme hopelessness is one of the most common signs of mental health problems. Signs of emotional distress include
- low energy levels, repeated suicidal or thoughts of self-harm,
- feeling overwhelmed by sudden changes in life,
- trouble dealing with situations, and
- losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
You may also experience a range of emotions from irritation, sorrow, and depression. If these feelings are familiar to you, you’ll need the help of professional mental health counselors.
- Significant Changes In Sleeping Or Eating Habits
Experts link a person’s sleeping habits to their mental health. When external factors disrupt one, the other deteriorates as well. It’s not rare for mental illness to induce sleep disturbances. However, sleep problems often come first, followed by a mental problem a few months or even years later. Oversleeping, lack of sleep, or difficulty getting a good night’s sleep may indicate that a person is depressed or suffering from another mental health condition.
The same is true for a person’s eating habits—eating disorders and mental health problems are intrinsically linked as well. A person suffering from an eating disorder has an unhealthy and unbalanced interaction with food and their body image. They frequently hide food or avoid eating in front of others. Additionally, they often have difficulties regulating their body temperature, stress over calorie intake, and develop intense mood swings.
Whether you observe such changes in your eating or sleeping habits, seeking mental health help as soon as possible is critical to preventing symptoms from escalating.
- Psychological Distress
Have you ever had a feeling of intense sensitivity or fear? Have these feelings ever been too much for you to handle, causing you to feel depressed, anxious, or lonely? These are signs of emotional strain. If you answered yes to those questions, you might need professional help.
Psychological distress, also known as mental distress, refers to various symptoms and feelings associated with a person’s inner existence. Its symptoms include
- distress,
- bewilderment,
- social disengagement,
- extreme anger, and
- far of staying in areas where escaping is challenging.
While everyone experiences tiredness, loses focus, and feels distressed from time to time, psychological distress often has a more significant effect on a person.
- Difficulties In Maintaining Relationships
Suppose you’re unable to form relationships with those around you or have difficulty handling current relationships. That is another sign to seek professional help. Failure to manage relationships is a warning flag of mental illness.
Besides, couples who are unhappy in their relationships can benefit from professional mental health counseling. Professional mental health counseling can help them resolve their difficulties or find a method to restart their connection. It’s an excellent approach for couples to properly communicate their needs and desires in a healthy and safe environment.
- Abnormal Mood Swings
Mood swings are abrupt shifts in mood in which extreme lows and highs can be sensed almost instantly, with no progress. Although everyone experiences melancholy and mood changes, excessive mood swings may result from a mental disorder such as bipolar disorder. If you notice you always have extreme mood swings, you might need counseling to address your anger symptoms.
- Addictive Behaviors
People suffering from addiction—drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, or an eating condition—may exhibit strange behavior patterns. Regrettably, medical professionals link these negative habits to an underlying psychological issue.
Drinking alcohol, misusing certain substances, or consuming materials that can alter how your brain reacts to stimuli is a method for some people to cope with sorrow or intense emotional distress. While these people always find pleasure, such substances or stimuli are short-lived. They will eventually impair the body and psyche. If you realize you have a habit you can’t seem to break, it’s best to seek professional help. Talking to a professional therapist or counselor can help you stay on the path to recovery and learn healthy coping mechanisms.
The Courage To Seek Counseling For Your Mental Health
Now that you know the signs of seeking professional counseling, you’ll need the courage to take the next step—reaching out for help. For some, sitting down with a stranger and telling them about your life and struggles is an uncomfortable experience. It’ll take courage to open up about your struggles.
If you’re uncomfortable going to counseling, know it pays off in the end. After all, only a professional, such as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or certified professional counselor, can accurately assess your mental health and, if necessary, provide a treatment plan. You can rely on them as they can help address mental health issues.
Final Thoughts
While most people experience depression, changes in mood, and irritation, severe symptoms may affect daily activities and disrupt personal and work life. If you feel or share any signs listed above, seek help from a mental health professional immediately. In the end, you’ll learn new things about yourself and realize that you want to be a happier, healthier person for your own sake and those you care about. As a result, muster the courage to ask for help; it will be worth it.