When is the Best Time to Seek Therapy?

Understanding the Seriousness of Your Struggle and When to Ask for Help 

Are you struggling with one of these issues and unsure when it's time to seek help? It can be difficult to recognize the severity of the problem and decide when to get help. This article will help you assess the seriousness of the problem, understand when it might be beneficial to seek therapy, and understand when others may urge you to seek help. Read on to learn more about when is the best time to start therapy and how it can help you function at your best.   

We all experience problems in life, and often, we can work through them on our own. We can take care of ourselves by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and practicing relaxation techniques. But sometimes these problems can be too difficult to deal with alone. That's when it might be time to seek out help from a therapist.   Therapists say two factors can determine when it might be time to get help: level of distress and impairment in function. In other words, how much are you suffering and how much are those feelings interfering with your ability to do the things you want and need to do?

To better assess the seriousness of the problem you are facing, ask yourself these questions: 

Do I spend a considerable amount of time each day thinking about the problem?

Am I embarrassed by the problem?

Do I hide it from others?

Over the past few months, has the problem reduced my quality of life?

Has my problem caused me to abandon work or educational goals?

Am I rearranging my lifestyle to accommodate the problem?

Have I been feeling down most of the time for two weeks or more?

Am I withdrawing from the people I love or giving up activities I enjoy?

Is fear or anxiety causing physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, or a racing heart? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to consider seeing a therapist.

Alternatively, you may not be able to identify a problem. Maybe you just feel down or anxious most of the time. Maybe you are not sleeping well or you’re sleeping too much. Maybe you suffer from fatigue or difficulty concentrating or making decisions. In these cases, professional care from a therapist can help you.   

Sometimes it's hard to recognize a problem in yourself or judge its severity. In those cases, a loved one may be the one who urges you to go to therapy. This could be because you are experiencing problems in your marriage or relationship, seem anxious or depressed much of the time, missing excessive work or school, have problems with substances, or no longer want to go out or enjoy activities.   

There is no perfect time to seek therapy. The best time to go is when you recognize you need help and you are ready to do your part in making therapy work. It is never too soon or too late to seek therapy. Addressing a problem with a therapist early on can keep it from interfering with your life and can make the process of resolving the problem go more quickly. Seeking therapy is a sign of strength and can help you function at your best.   

If you are ready to take the first step in starting therapy, you can use ReachLink as a resource to help find the right therapist for you. It's important to remember that there is no shame in seeking help to address a problem. If you are aware of the seriousness of your struggle and ready to ask for help, you are taking the first step in getting your life back on track.