When Should You Start Therapy?

There are many reasons why people start therapy. Often times, they feel that they need support and professional help because their life is being impacted by their emotions. Learning about developing symptoms, or early warning signs of depression, anxiety and other disorders can help to take action and reduce the severity of an illness. Early intervention can help delay or prevent a major mental illness altogether. If several of the following are occurring, it may useful to follow up with a mental health professional.

Withdrawal — Isolation and recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in friends and family
A drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, a hobby you used to enjoy, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks
Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech
Increased sensitivity — Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations and feeling easily overwhelmed in social settings
Lack of motivation and apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity even the one you used to enjoy
Feeling disconnected — A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality, like “if it was a movie”
Feelings of not belonging or not being understood by others
Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers or ability to influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult
Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling
Unusual behavior – Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior
Changes in sleep, weight or appetite — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care
Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings
Angry outbursts or inappropriate expression of anger
Panic attacks
Fear of being alone