When to Seek Counseling

Throughout the years it has been considered taboo to seek out professional help with mood disorders or mental health issues. Many do not want to be labeled as “crazy” or having “issues” and shy away from hiring a counselor to assist them in whatever thier needs are. Often, there has been a label put on those who do reach out for professional help and they have even been stereotyped as being  in a crowede institution, talking to themselves, and suffering from involuntary tics.  And while, yes, there are some indivduals who may have these characteristics are participate in psychological counseling services, it is not uncommon for a therapist like myself to work with a  person who resembles your ethnic or cultural background, your socio-economic class, or your gender. Not to say that counseling is for everyone, but that anyone can be a part of a therapeutic relationship if he or she feels as though it will be beneficial to reaching certain goals and improving certain aspects of their life.

The tough question many people ask though is: How Do I know if I need counseling? Here are a few indicators that speaking to a professional may be beneficial:

• You feel unhappy on most days or experience a sense of hopelessness
• You worry excessively or are constantly on edge
• You are unable to concentrate on your schoolwork or other activities
• You are unable to sleep at night or constantly feel tired
• You have experienced a change in your appetite or your weight
• You have difficulty controlling your anger
• You have experienced a loss (e.g., a relationship breakup, a loved one’s death)
• You have increased your use of alcohol or other drugs (including cigarettes)
• You feel overwhelmed by what is going on in your life
• You are having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else

(Points takeen from http://ualr.edu/personalcounseling/index.php/home/individual-counseling/when-to-seek-counseling/)