Sophie Okolo, MPH

It’s an unfortunate fact of life where seeing a medical doctor is acceptable if you’re unwell, but attending therapy sessions because of mental health problems means you get judged by other people. Because of that fact, many people try to mask the fact that they need counseling. Therapy is crucial because verbalizing your feelings and emotions has a therapeutic effect on your brain and improves your self-esteem. Have you ever wondered whether you might need therapy sessions to help you deal with certain past events or situations in your life? The following telltale signs might mean that you need to look at counseling.

You Find It Hard to Control Your Emotions

Perhaps one of the most significant signs that you need to seek professional therapy is if you find it hard to control your emotions. Examples include uncontrollable crying, constant mood swings, anger, and anxiety. A therapist can work with you to determine what is triggering those emotions and help you improve your coping mechanism. You might even find you’ve got an undiagnosed anxiety disorder that causes your continual rollercoaster of emotions.

You Hate Your Family

It’s normal for everyone to feel annoyed with family members sometimes. But, what happens if you reached the point where you loathe your parents or can’t stand to even be in the same room as your siblings? Hate is a strong word, yet it’s an emotion some people feel when talking about their families. Family therapists can help you find out why you have such hateful feelings towards your family and work out a way to resolve the issue. People often have intense issues with one or more family members for various reasons, such as sibling rivalry, favoritism, and sadly, abuse.

Your Work or Academic Performance Has Tumbled

Have you noticed that your performance at work or in an academic sense has taken a nosedive? Do you find it hard to concentrate on what you’re doing, and do you often make excuses to stay at home? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, they could be telltale signs your emotions are impacting your career or academic life. That’s because problems with mental health can impair concentration and cognition. Seeking the right professional therapy can help you work through the issues that are affecting your professional or academic life.

You Can’t Maintain a Relationship

Lastly, it’s not uncommon for some people to find it hard to commit to a relationship, whether romantic or platonic. The telltale signs that you might struggle to maintain any relationship are when you find yourself alone more often because you push people away that try to get close to you. Or, you may find yourself in regular conflict with others and immediately put up a mental barrier or wall against others. Counseling will help you discover the core reasons for pushing people away, and your therapist can work with you to improve how you handle your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.