Top Signs You Could Really Benefit From Seeing A Counselor
Everyone goes through hard periods in their life now and then. Sometimes, you work your own way out of it and come out the other side all the better for it. Other times, you need some help working through the trials and pain — and that's totally okay! Professional therapists and counselors have the training and knowledge necessary to help you navigate these hard times and the emotions that come with them. Here are some top signs that you could really benefit from seeing a counselor.
You feel out of control of your own emotions.
While it is normal to feel angry and sad sometimes, it is not good to feel like you cannot control or navigate these emotions. If you feel "stuck" in anger, sadness, or some other negative emotion, then it can be really helpful to see a therapist. They can give you strategies to help you regain control over these emotions and go on living your life in spite of them.
You've had thoughts about hurting yourself.
Even if you would never actually go through with it, having thoughts about hurting yourself, or worse yet, thoughts of suicide, is a sure sign you need to see a counselor. This is usually a sign of a more serious underlying mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. These are real ailments that deserve real treatment — just like you would seek treatment for a broken leg or a sprained ankle.
Your relationships are starting to suffer.
Do you feel like your friends or family members are pulling away from you? Or maybe you've been pulling away from them. Friends and family members are there to support you, but sometimes it can be overwhelming for them to constantly help you when you are going through something challenging. Speaking to a counselor can really help. First of all, a counselor's job is to support you and give you feedback; it's a one-way relationship, unlike the relationships you have with friends and family members. Also, a counselor can give you tips to better navigate your relationships so that they don't suffer just because you're emotionally suffering right now.
You are struggling at work or school.
When your emotional health starts interfering with your performance at work or school, you should absolutely seek help. This is usually a sign that the issue has been going on for a while. If you seek help now, you can get things under control before you end up losing a job or receiving less-than-adequate marks.
Counseling sometimes gets a bit of a negative stigma, but there is nothing shameful about seeking help when you need it. Reach out to a therapist if you're dealing with any of the struggles above.