There is a common misconception that mental health counseling is only for people with a diagnosis. If you don't have OCD, bipolar disorder, general anxiety, or another diagnosed condition, you may assume mental health counseling is not for you. But this is not the case at all. Mental health counseling is a good idea for many people. It can help you deal with emotional and mental struggles that do not qualify you for a diagnosis, or it can help you arrive at a diagnosis that has maybe been overlooked previously. Here are a few signs that you could benefit from some mental health counseling.
You are mentally exhausted
Do you end every day feeling just spent, emotionally and mentally? Maybe you're going through a lot lately, but if it's leaving you so zapped you're probably not dealing with it as effectively as you could. A few sessions with a mental health therapist could help you develop some healthier ways of handling the struggles in your life and of caring for yourself so you don't feel so drained.
You're struggling to control your moods
It is totally okay to feel whatever emotions you feel. But you should never feel like you are out of control of your mood or emotions. Feeling a lack of control could mean you're dealing with anxiety or depression. A mental health therapist can teach you some strategies to give you more control over your emotions and can also help you re-frame situations in a way that doesn't trigger your emotions so strongly.
You feel like you're struggling in your relationships
If you are struggling in relationships, it could be that the people you're trying to relate with are making things tough, or it could be that your own mental health is getting in the way of you maintaining healthy relationships. A mental health counselor can help you with either issue by teaching you strategies to better relate to others even when you're not feeling your best emotionally.
You're struggling with sleep or eating habits
There are many reasons people can struggle with sleeping and eating, but usually, trouble with these habits ties back to your mental health. You may have some stress that's making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, or you may have some unhealthy body image issues that are interfering with healthy eating. The earlier you address these things with a trained therapist, the better.
Mental health counseling is not just for people with formal diagnoses. If you're mentally or emotionally struggling in any way, contact a therapist and make an appointment.
Share