8 Signs You Need Professional Help

Seeking out treatment options, finding a therapist, or even reaching out to consider it is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s a big step toward self-care, a pillar in improving your mental and physical health and overcoming addiction and mental health conditions.

Whether individual, group or family, psychotherapy or talk therapy is for anyone with a mental illness. However, it is also for anyone going through an intense life transition such as recovery. Here are eight signs you may want to talk to a therapist:

1. You’re experiencing significant changes or disruptions in your eating or sleeping habits.

Mental health disorders and substance abuse can severely influence our appetite and sleep.

In addition, not getting enough sleep or proper nutrition increases the risk of many conditions and illnesses, ranging from stroke to dementia. Sleep affects your brain’s performance, mood, and overall health.

Suppose you realize a significant change in your eating or sleeping habits that has been going on for an extended period. In that case, it may be time to pay attention and evaluate the situation seriously.

2. You’re pulling away from the people and activities you enjoy.

When you isolate yourself, there is usually a feeling of disconnection from others or an inability to relate to people on a day to day.

People struggling with depression, mental issues, emotional stress, addiction, or a combination often lose interest in their hobbies and don’t want to socialize, even with family and friends.

The good news is that seeing a therapist can help sort out your feelings and allow you to find your path to reconnect with people and things that bring you joy.

3. You feel numb or like nothing matters.

Emotional numbness is described as an inability to connect with your environment.

Feelings of detachment from your surroundings and people around you allow for distorted perceptions of yourself and a lack of emotions. And that’s why emotional numbness is directly associated with a reduced sense of oneself.

Although many things can cause emotional numbness, it is important to remember it is only temporary. A licensed mental health professional can help you regain your feelings, help you develop coping techniques, change your medication, or prescribe you a new one.

4. You feel helpless or hopeless.

Helplessness or hopelessness is feeling like things are never going to get better. These emotions can signify a mental health problem, such as depression.

This type of thinking makes life particularly difficult because you get comfortable not doing anything about it. If you have had feelings of hopelessness that persist or you’re concerned over your mental health, reach out to a professional.

5. You’re smoking, drinking, or using more than usual.

When you’re under a lot of mental or emotional stress, people tend to turn toward coping mechanisms that are distracting and sometimes numbing.

Although substance use can temporarily provide a sense of relief from negative thoughts or help you forget a traumatic experience, it often leads to abuse and dependence.

It’s crucial to seek professional help if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. As a family member or friend, it is important to be supportive and encourage them to speak with a therapist to determine the appropriate level of treatment.

In some cases, intense treatment such as a residential treatment center is necessary to detox safely from alcohol and drugs under medical supervision and receive individualized care.

6. You’re experiencing severe mood swings that are causing problems in your relationships.

Our mental health is important and determines how we relate to others and maintain good relationships with the people in our lives.

Sudden or frequent changes in moods define mood swings, also referred to as mood instability and accompanied by anxiety and irritability.

In a study focused on lifestyle and health, participants with mood instability had problems in their marriage, faced divorce, and had disagreements with their friends and relatives.

Getting help for mood instability is the first step in improving your relationships and life.

7. You cannot do daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school.

When you have no enthusiasm or motivation to interact with your environment, you don’t get any fulfillment— affecting every part of your daily life.

These feelings aren’t laziness or lack of responsibility; it’s an inability to act because there isn’t interest in experiencing life.

Seeking treatment can help manage these emotions, leading to a more productive life. It’s important to keep in mind to be patient with yourself or the person struggling.

8. You have low to no energy.

Experiencing chronic fatigue can be a symptom of a physical health issue, but feeling unusual emotional and mental exhaustion can be a symptom of a mental illness.

Getting professional help for unexplainable exhaustion is necessary and should happen sooner than later to avoid accidents resulting from your low energy.

It never hurts to reach out and express your concerns to a caring professional that can address your symptoms. Professional help can make a life-changing difference.

What Should I Do?

If you think you or a loved one may suffer from a mental health disorder or substance abuse disorder, it may be time to seek help. Talking to a mental health professional can provide medical advice, a diagnosis, and even help treat the mental illness.

The probability of developing an addiction with a mental health disorder is exceptionally high. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 9.2 million adults have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Because mental health and substance abuse are so significantly entwined, it is necessary to recognize and treat both disorders when they coexist. This is referred to as a dual diagnosis.

Treatment that addresses any repressed trauma and the roots of addiction must be intense, such as residential treatment, evidence-based, or rooted in science, and tailored to one’s specific needs for truly effective, long-lasting recovery.

Northridge Addiction Treatment Center creates a solid foundation for profound healing and personal transformation. Our treatment programs, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), integrate all aspects of your mental health disorder into rehabilitation, acknowledging and equipping you with coping skills to conquer it without substance use.

NATC’s caring and compassionate team of professionals know the many barriers and stigmas that surround people with mental health and substance use disorders, allowing residents to heal and grow their self-confidence for a higher potential of success.

Your insurance may also cover the cost of treatment. You may confidentially verify your insurance here.

Our treatment specialists are eager to help you or your loved one get started on a path to meaningful recovery. Call today for a free consultation.