How Do I Know if I Need Therapy?

If you are not sure if you need therapy, it is important to look at two different factors. One of them is symptoms you might be experiencing. If you notice a change in yourself, such as feeling more down, anxious, jittery, or notice significant changes in your mood, it might be a sign that your mental health is not in great shape. You can keep track of mood changes by logging your mood daily and in different situations.

The second factor to look at is your level of functioning. If you have trouble sleeping, or getting work done, or completing tasks, that means you are not at optimal functioning. Optimal functioning means successfully completing your usual, day to day activities with little to no difficulty. Even if you are able to complete activities, but only with difficulty or feeling very fatigued afterward, you are likely not functioning as well as you could be.

Counseling can assist you in finding tools to reduce your symptoms and regain optimal functioning. Try to pay attention and notice any changes in mood or functioning, or ask a loved one if they notice any changes. Make note of how well you are functioning day to day, and make sure to note if the overall pattern becomes less optimal functioning. If you exhibit both symptoms and lower functioning, it may be time to seek therapy.

You can always contact a mental health provider for a consultation, if you are not sure if you need therapy. You show self-awareness in asking the question about whether or not therapy is needed. This is a good first step in making sure you are taking care of your mental health, and thus yourself.