In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the demands of life, pushing through stress, anxiety, or sadness without really stopping to think about our mental health. However, our mental well-being is just as important as our physical health, and knowing when to seek professional mental health care is crucial to maintaining a balanced life. But how can you tell when it’s time to get that help?
As soon as you are ready to no longer feel bad!
There is no reason to wait to get mental health care from a counselor or therapist. We work with people at any place in their healing journey, and it is easier to get better before it gets worse. (Don’t worry, even when it is extreme, there is still hope to get better!)
Here are key signs that suggest it might be time to seek professional mental health care
1. Emotional Distress That Won’t Go Away
We all experience ups and downs, but if you’ve been feeling sad, anxious, or irritable for a while, get some help. Don’t stay feeling like this because you think you “allowed” it, and so you have to fix it.
Persistent feelings of hopelessness or a sense of emotional numbness make you suffer. Unfortunately, it also makes people isolate themselves, intensifying their negative symptoms. People need people. We aren’t meant to heal alone.
You don’t have to stay feeling depressed, unmotivated, heavy, discouraged, or anxious; individual or group counseling can help! There are many options to help us heal from emotional turmoil: find an activity or modality that fits our personality, budget, or ability. Anytime negative emotions seem to linger or deepen, consider professional mental health care to improve your emotional wellness before you get too hopeless (because then it is even harder to go).
2. Struggling to Cope with Everyday Life
Mental health issues can make daily responsibilities feel like enormous burdens. If tasks at work, home, or school have become overwhelming, or you find it hard to focus and make decisions, it could be a sign that you can use professional mental health care.
It might be hard for you to ask for help; however, it is worth pushing yourself to do it. Especially if you’re suffering, it is essential for your emotional and mental well-being. Humans are social beings; we heal in relationships. When getting through the day feels like an uphill battle, getting professional help can be the fastest way for relief.
3. Behavior or Habits that you want to retire
When you have bad experiences in your past, you have to figure out skills that help you keep yourself safe during those times, like closing off yourself emotionally or people-pleasing. Later, when you are in safe relationships, these patterns may continue but lead to determinantal outcomes: conflict, insecurity, or withdrawal.
A counselor or therapist can help you understand and appreciate these skills for how they helped you in the past. And then, start replacing them with skills that work for today. Ones that open and connect you to the people in your life you want to.
4. Physical Symptoms with No Clear Cause
Most people experience trauma that they don’t even know that they have experienced. Mental health doesn’t just affect your mind—it impacts your body as well. Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, back pain, or fatigue that persist without a clear medical cause can often be linked to a trauma history, stress, anxiety, or depression. If these symptoms don’t go away with rest or self-care, a mental health professional might be able to help identify the root cause, help you heal it, and eliminate these somatic symptoms. Try this heart and hand somatic meditation.
5. Feeling Disconnected in Relationships
Mental health struggles can put a strain on your relationships. You might find yourself feeling isolated from friends and family or disconnected from those closest to you. You may be feeling vulnerable to being rejected, afraid of their response to your feelings, or you may feel unworthy of help because you’re feeling so negative about yourself. Anxiety and depression make people withdraw and isolate, but it is the worst thing for them.
If you’re withdrawing from social interactions or feeling misunderstood by others, it may be a sign that your emotional health is affecting your relationships, and talking to a therapist can help you navigate those feelings.
6. Coping with Trauma or Grief
Trauma and loss can shake us to the core, making it difficult to regain a sense of normalcy. Whether you’ve experienced the death of a loved one, a breakup, or a traumatic event, a professional mental health care provider can help you navigate this time. These experiences are crushing. Even when what you are going through is expected and normal, it is okay to have someone to support you through.
Committing to giving yourself time to heal by going to therapy allows your body and brain the space they need to do their job. Coping with these experiences is hard; reaching out to a counselor can provide support and strategies for healing. (Article on the healing power of breath.)
7. Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide
Perhaps the most urgent sign that it’s time to seek help is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you’re experiencing these thoughts, it’s crucial to reach out immediately to a mental health professional or a crisis hotline immediately. Don’t let shame or stigma get in your way. You deserve to feel better.
8. Unexplained Fear or Paranoia
If irrational fears, phobias, or feelings of paranoia are starting to interfere with your ability to live a full life, it’s important to take action. These types of symptoms can creep up slowly or appear suddenly, but in either case, they’re often a sign of underlying stress, anxiety, or other mental health problems that can be treated with the right care. Recovery is easier the sooner you get mental health care from a therapist or counselor.
9. Feeling Out of Control Emotionally
Do you find yourself reacting intensely to minor situations, or having frequent outbursts of anger? Emotional regulation becomes increasingly difficult when your mental health is suffering. If you feel like you’re riding an emotional roller coaster and can’t get off, it might be time to talk to someone who can help you regain control of your emotions.
10. Stress is Overwhelming You
Stress is a part of life, but when it starts to feel unmanageable—when even small stressors send you into a spiral—it’s worth asking whether professional mental health care could provide relief. Stress that used to be manageable but now feels overwhelming can often be a sign of deeper issues that are bubbling to the surface.
Taking the First Step
If any of these signs sound familiar, you don’t have to face them alone. Seeking professional help can feel daunting, but it’s a brave and important step toward feeling better. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes, and talking with a mental health professional can provide the support, tools, and insight you need to navigate life’s challenges.
When Urgency Matters
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it’s critical to seek help immediately. Reach out to a crisis hotline or emergency services for immediate support. Dial 988.
Recognizing that you need help is the first step toward healing, and it’s never too early—or too late—to reach out for that support. Your mental health matters just as much as your physical health, so take care of it with the same level of seriousness.
This journey is about you, and you deserve to feel your best. If your emotional well-being is affecting your daily life, know that help is available, and there’s no shame in asking for it. Taking care of your mind is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself.