Do I Need Therapy?
Many kinds of problems lead individuals to seek therapy for themselves or those whom they care about. Some of these difficulties
include grief over the loss of a loved one or job, low self esteem, unfavorable reactions to a trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties,
phobias, eating disorders, dysfunctional patterns of behavior, drug or alcohol addiction, thought disorders, and many other conditions. Some
people might come into therapy for help communicating more effectively with their family, learning healthier coping techniques, or acquiring
parenting skills. Some people just want help resolving one particular situation.
Sometimes people are eager to begin therapy to resolve their difficulties. Others deny that they need help. Sometimes it is only when a person reaches
their lowest point or when coerced by a family member or loved one that they seek counseling. Some individuals have reported feeling embarrassed
or feeling they are somehow “weak” for needing help. This could not be farther from the truth. It takes a strong person
to look at their issues and work through them. Also, we now know that many mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders are not a sign of weakness at all, but are
a chemical problems that can only be fixed with medical intervention (psychotherapy and/or medicine). In addition, just like cancer, the sooner a condition is treated
the greater and quicker the success rate for recovery.
You might need counseling if you have experienced:
- a strong desire, but inability to change a particular behavior
- a sad mood for more than two weeks
- behavioral changes, such as overspending or making other irrational decisions
- inability to enjoy your loved ones and/or your loved ones inability to enjoy being with you (i.e. withdrawing or irritable behavior)
- a decrease interest in the activities you once enjoyed
- distress in your work or personal life
- thoughts of wanting to die or attempts to hurt yourself
- sleep and/or appetitie disturbances
- difficulty concentrating
- racing thoughts
- low self esteem
- tearfulness
- unexplained fatigue
- destructive patterns with self or others
- anxiety or panic
