5 subtle signs it's time to see a Psychologist & start therapy

BAM Therapy
Sep 17
4 min read

Understanding when to seek therapy can feel daunting. Many people go through tough seasons of stress, anxiety, or sadness. However, detecting when these feelings require professional help is crucial. Here we explore five subtle signs that may suggest it's time to reach out to a Psychologist.

Explore the article:

How to know if it's time to see a Psychologist
Other reasons to see a Psychologist
Taking the next step: starting therapy

How to know if it's time to see a Psychologist

1. Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness or anxiety

If you consistently feel sad or hopeless for much of the time or more than two weeks, it may signal that professional help is needed. Depression is common and research shows that almost 10% of adults experience episodes of depression, low mood and sadness at some point in their lives.

Having ongoing negative feelings such as anxiety or stress or being overwhelmed by emotions suggests you might benefit from psychological support, especially if these feelings get in the way of everyday life or you feel less able to cope.

Therapy provides a safe space to explore and understand these emotions while equipping you with tools to cope more effectively and overcome depression with evidence-based psychological interventions.

2. Changes in sleep patterns

Have you experienced changes in your sleep habits? Whether you are sleeping excessively or struggling to get to sleep with insomnia, these shifts often indicate some underlying emotional distress.

If sleep disruptions are repeated and frequent, it might be beneficial to consult a psychologist to help you identify the underlying causes of the sleep issues and work together in therapy to help you get better sleep again.

3. Changes to activities

Are you withdrawing from social gatherings or distancing yourself from friends and family? Do you find yourself pulling away from other people? Maybe you're feeling less interested in the activities that you used to enjoy? These tendencies will be an understandable response to emotional struggles, and at the same time, they can contribute to the unhelpful feelings and keep things stuck.

Therapy can guide you in reconnecting and exploring the root causes of the withdrawal pattern.

4. Increased irritability or mood swings

If you've noticed feeling more irritable or frequent mood swings, it may indicate that your emotional wellbeing is off balance. It might be that your stress levels are higher, but we know that increased irritability and mood swings can bring unintended consequences to our relationships and daily interactions if left untreated.

Having difficulty regulating mood is a potential sign that some extra support with therapy is needed.

A psychologist will help you understand these feelings better and then work with you to bring changes into your life including how to manage your mood effectively.

5. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Are you finding it increasingly tough to concentrate or make decisions? Perhaps you're finding it hard to disconnect from your thoughts or overthinking things? Struggling with these aspects can be another significant sign of emotional distress and underlying psychological problems that need a bit of help.

Therapy can help you work on these areas to see changes in your day-to-day life.

Other reasons to see a Psychologist

Of course, there are many reasons to see a Psychologist and start therapy. The five warning signs explored above are some of the most common contributors to emotional distress and changes to our wellbeing that might lead someone to reach out for psychological support.

Other reasons to see a Psychologist include problems in relationships, dealing with the consequences of distressing events (including trauma), struggling with communication, negative feelings about oneself and low self-esteem, significant life transitions and changes, grief and loss, feeling "stuck" in life, and difficulty managing at work including burnout.

It might be time to see a Psychologist and start therapy if any of these changes become more of a problem and get in the way of day-to-day life.

Taking the next step: starting therapy

Recognising the signs that it's time to seek therapy is vital for enhancing your emotional wellbeing, mental health, and psychological resilience. If you identify with any of these signs, consider reaching out to a psychologist. Therapy can offer essential safe and confidential support and insights, guiding you through your feelings and helping you make meaningful changes.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. Taking that initial step can open the door to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Dr Kayleigh Darch is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist offering high-quality and expert online therapy to people living in Devon and the UK. If you're considering therapy, then you might like to find out more about: online therapy, the main therapy models used, and Kayleigh's qualifications, background and skills.