I am glad you are here.
Thinking of beginning counseling is a positive step in the right direction. It takes strength, courage, and a will to want to improve your life.
When a person starts feeling overwhelmed by a problem, or by feelings that cannot be fully understood, it may be time to turn to a professional counselor for help. Trained counselors, psychologists, and therapists can provide much-needed assistance to those who are grappling with difficult circumstances.
If you’re not sure whether to keep wrestling with your situation or to enlist the help of a counselor, here are a indicators that professional help may be needed:
1. Your emotions are getting out of control. You may start crying for no clear reason, or perhaps the smallest inconvenience can throw you into a fit of rage. It may be that you have sunk into a deep depression from which you are unable to escape. Feelings of loneliness, despair, hopelessness, and desperation may wash over you at any time of the day or night. Thoughts of suicide may trouble you with increasing frequency. When several of these symptoms occur or persist, contact a licensed counselor to discuss your situation.
2. Your everyday routine may be affected. Some people lose their appetites or eat quite a bit more than usual, gaining extra pounds as a result. You might lie awake at night, worrying about the problems at hand or about nothing in particular. Or you toss and turn, agitated and forlorn, searching in vain for an answer to your problems. You probably experience difficulty in concentrating at work or while managing simple household tasks. Others may accuse you of daydreaming or not paying attention. All of this suggests that you are having trouble managing your mental processes.
3. Your relationships may be suffering or falling apart. Perhaps you’ve lost your zest for life and have little to say to anyone around you. You might withdraw affection or communication, leaving others wondering about this change in your behavior and attitude. Or you could be taking out your frustrations inappropriately by treating those you care about abusively through arguments, name-calling, or bullying. When your relationships show signs of stress, a counselor can help you address the underlying causes.
4. Your daily schedule may be impacted. It is possible that you are now arriving late for appointments or canceling some of them. You may sleep more than usual or stay in bed to avoid the rigors of everyday life. Maybe you go to a public place like the park or a mall and just sit there, observing people who pass, with few other thoughts in mind. Your memory may be diminished, or your ability to stay focused could be impaired. When you are having trouble managing routine tasks, it’s time to make an appointment with a counselor.
There is no shame or embarrassment in talking with a counselor. Millions of people seek counseling help every year for problems ranging from depression to dying relationships or loss of self-esteem. Don’t continue to suffer needlessly when help is just a phone call away. Soon you will begin to feel better, and then you’ll wonder why you waited so long.