Life is difficult to navigate alone, no matter what your situation may be. Often, we are looking for guidance on topics we feel we can’t discuss with friends and family, either because the concerns are about them directly or because we fear the conversations may interfere with the relationship somehow.
Therapy is a useful tool to explore not only the situations in your life that cause you to struggle but also gives you the resources and opportunity to learn celebrate and enjoy the moments in life that bring you the most happiness while managing your mental health concerns. Therapy sessions can offer balance and clarity while helping you develop valid coping and conflict-resolution skills.
But how can you be sure therapy is a good option for you? Below are a few examples of key signs that beginning your therapy journey may be a useful step toward improving your well-being.
You’re struggling with depression
Depression conjures a deep, almost unrelenting feeling of sadness and hopelessness, accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Appetite loss;
- Lack of interest in your usual activities;
- Sleep changes (sleeping too much or too little);
- Concentration difficulties;
- Fatigue;
- Guilt;
- Suicidal thoughts or ideation.
If you’re dealing with depression, you know firsthand how it affects nearly every area of your life. You may begin to struggle in school or at work, finding it harder than ever to motivate yourself to complete your necessary tasks. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, with nearly a third of adults receiving a diagnosis during their lives. Therapy can help adjust your thought patterns, explore traumatic experiences, and address the root cause of your depression.
You’re more anxious than ever
Do you find yourself dwelling on upcoming events or avoiding certain situations for fear of an anxiety attack? Does this fear ever feel all-consuming, to the point where you feel physically sick? Those who are familiar with these symptoms may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Different types of anxiety disorders include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder;
- Panic Disorder;
- Phobia Disorders;
- Social Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety manifests in different ways and at different periods for everyone affected. For example, some pregnant individuals may have had no difficulty with anxious feelings before their pregnancy but became overcome with postpartum anxiety after giving birth. If any of this resonates with you, talk therapy uses various therapy techniques that can help ease your stress and teach you how to cope with anxious feelings and anxiety attacks as you experience them.
Your relationships have become overwhelming
You can’t seem to pick up the phone and return your friends’ phone calls anymore. You avoid spending time with your colleagues after work. You’re arguing with your romantic partner for what seems like every day. The worst part about it? You don’t understand why any of it is happening.
These experiences can be extremely distressing, especially since we depend on the core relationships and benefit from positively interacting with our friends, coworkers, and loved ones. Therapy can assist you with digging deep into your relationships and understanding why you may be agitated with your partner or avoiding your best friends.
Your work-life balance is unmanageable
Work seems to envelop every aspect of your life, and it is pretty much on your brain at every waking minute. You can’t sleep, and you may feel this looming sense of guilt when you’re not being productive. This can be a huge indicator that exploring therapy may be right for you. With a therapist, you can develop ways to create a great work-life balance, creating time for enjoyable pursuits and necessary tasks while completing your work and finding pride and happiness in your career again.
Book An Individual Therapy Session With Cristeta Rillera
When you’re ready to begin therapy, Cristeta Rillera is here to help you. Cristeta offers individual therapy services for those dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma. To schedule an initial consultation, connect with Cristeta by calling (530) 302-6097 or emailing [email protected] today.
