Life Changes and Stress: 4 Signs It’s Time to See a Therapist
When life changes and stress increases, it may leave you asking yourself, “Should I see someone about this?” Keep reading for 4 signs it’s time to see a therapist.
You just went through a huge life change. Maybe it was unexpected: a breakup, being fired, losing a friendship. Maybe you were ready and excited for it: moving, a new job, graduating, going to college, getting married, having a baby, adopting a dog. But what do you do when this change starts to take over your life in a way you weren’t prepared for? Here are 4 signs that it could be helpful to see a therapist/counselor to help you adjust:
Sign 1) You feel “unsettled” for longer than you would expect.
We can usually cut ourselves some slack after a huge change. Typically, we do this more with the unexpected ones. It is often the expected changes that throw us for a loop because we think we should be able to cope better with positive stressors. But if you’re experiencing a gut feeling that something is off, it could be helpful to listen to that. There is no standard timeframe that says, “If you’re not fine by X date then something is wrong with you.” That said, if you find yourself constantly thinking “Shouldn’t I be over this by now?” and continue to feel intense emotions about the change, that would be a sign.
Sign 2) You are noticing things that are out of character for you
Another sign that it could be time to see a professional is if you’re experiencing feelings/behaviors more intensely and frequently than you usually do. These could include:
Feeling really down, more often than not, when you typically describe yourself as a “happy” person
Crying more easily and frequently
Constantly asking yourself “What’s even the point?”
Feeling unmotivated
Feeling more nervous
Not being able to shut your brain off to worrisome thoughts
Frequently missing work/ school/ not following through with obligations
Isolating yourself—canceling plans frequently or not answering texts
Feeling on edge—snapping at loved ones, feeling like you can’t sit still
Acting out of character—picking fights, drinking/smoking more, taking more risks
Sign 3) You’re having physical symptoms
Stress from life changes can affect your physical health as well as your mental health. Some physical symptoms that are signs you could benefit from seeing a therapist/counselor are:
A change in sleeping patterns (sleeping more or less than usual)
A change in appetite (eating more or less than usual)
Stomach issues
Headaches
Tightness in your chest
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle tension
Sign 4) You feel like you can’t talk to your loved ones about it
This last sign commonly happens in two ways. For some, you may find that you feel embarrassed or ashamed of what you are feeling about the change. This makes it difficult to talk to your family or friends, for fear of them judging you. You start keeping to yourself instead of getting the support you need. For others, you may have talked about the change so much that your family and friends have expressed concern and frustration with you and they have nothing more to say. But you still feel like the situation isn’t resolved and still need to process it with someone.
What to consider next:
This is where seeing an unbiased professional can be incredibly helpful. The change could be one hugely life-altering event or many small changes that just don’t seem to give you a break. Big or “small,” a therapist can help you with tools to cope in healthy ways, help you determine if your experiences are turning into something more severe (like depression or anxiety), and provide a safe space for you to process your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
Check out my page on how I help people experiencing LIFE CHANGES AND STRESS
Feel like this is your sign to find support? Click HERE to contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation and I can help guide you to your next steps!
-Stephanie
