I have spoken before on this blog about seeking mental health counseling, and provided some ways to find where you can turn to find a counselor that’s just right for you to speak to.  But how do you know when it’s time to talk to someone? The signs may be different for every individual, and some may not get to as far a point as others before they decide to find a therapist.  But, here I will provide a guideline that has some general symptoms you should be on the lookout for that will give you a hint that it’s time to talk to someone who can help.

You feel all emotions very strongly

When you’re sad, you’re not just frowning–you’re full out sobbing. When you are angry, it’s not just a little bit–you are full of rage. Extreme emotions do occur from time to time, but should not be the norm; feelings should happen in a wide range.

You have experienced a traumatic event that you cannot seem to get past

Of course, what is considered traumatic will vary from person to person, but some examples of highly emotionally affecting experiences include breakups, deaths in the family, and careers such as military and emergency healthcare. If you are withdrawn or cannot stop thinking about the process that happened to you, it might be the time to open up to someone about it.

You don’t enjoy things you used to

You may have once had a passion for gardening, or sailing, or drawing, but you can’t seem to find the energy to commit any time to any of your favorite hobbies anymore.  If you are generally bored by life, and especially those activities you used to love so much, you might be suffering from depression.

You have recurrent and unexplained aches and pains

It might not be something you realize at first, but mental health issues can manifest themselves in physical symptoms in a person’s body.  If you’re always nauseated, have an aching head, or other twinges of pain, this might be a sign of anxiety.

You are disconnected from your relationships

Whether it’s from a significant other or your best friend, you don’t talk to your loved ones about your problems or much of anything.  You can’t feel empathy or joy when someone shares their feelings with you.  You aren’t necessarily hiding something, but you just can’t imagine they’d understand and value your problems.

Your friends and family seem worried

If you have disconnected from the ones you love, they will notice.  If it goes on long enough and you don’t talk to them about it, they will worry about you and ask what’s wrong.  If more than one person asks you this, it means your mental state is obvious enough to those around you that they sense that you are not yourself.

These are just a few signals that you might want to talk to a therapist about any mental health circumstances you may be facing.  Trust your judgment and don’t be afraid to reach out. Help is here for you.