When Is It Best to Seek Therapy?
It could be time to seek therapy if an issue causes distress or interferes with daily life. Distress can mean negative thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or even a bodily sensation such as pain or fatigue. It is important not to wait until symptoms become severe before going to therapy. It may be best to seek therapy if you are often unhappy or feel overwhelmed and hopeless about issues in your life. Therapy can also help if you cannot focus on work or school, experience addiction, or feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
Some people may avoid treatment, and there are many reasons for this. Some of these reasons include:
- Worry about the stigma that can come with mental health care
- Feelings of shame when speaking about past hurts
- Not wanting to acknowledge that anything is wrong
- Fear that discussions in treatment will not stay confidential
- Money issues