Mental Health used to be a hush-hush subject matter. It wasn’t discussed at the dinner table; it wasn’t discussed in social circles; it wasn’t discussed when looking in the mirror. It was something that we hid from the world, because we didn’t want to be stigmatized for what we were going through or who it was making us be. Luckily, the times have changed and now a spotlight shines upon mental health and we (Alta Loma) want to outline, what we feel, to be 6 signs it’s time to seek help when you have a mental health issue, mental illness or mental health disorder.
If you struggle with your mental health, it’s not always easy to see when you need therapy. Most people will feel sad, angry or anxious at different periods of their life. How do you know when your problems require the help of mental health professionals? Continue reading to learn six signs it’s time to seek therapy for your mental health.
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background_blend_mode=”none” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ last=”false” border_position=”all” element_content=”” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_3″ type=”2_3″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”center” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” 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display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” content_align=”left” size=”6″ font_size=”18px” text_color=”#9fc061″ text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”default” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Read on to learn about the 6 Signs It’s Time to Seek Mental Health Therapy[/fusion_title][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” content_align=”left” size=”3″ font_size=”30px” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”default” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]And if you are ready to seek help…[/fusion_title][fusion_button target=”_self” color=”default” linear_angle=”180″ stretch=”default” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” link=”tel:(866) 457-3843″ icon=”fa-phone-alt fas”]Austin, TX — Call today[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_repeat=”no-repeat” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” hover_type=”none” background_blend_mode=”overlay” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]1. You Have Intense Mood Swings
It’s normal for your mood to change at times. For example, if you’ve had a bad day, it’s normal to feel a little sad, angry or overwhelmed. However, most people have a reasonably even mood or temperament throughout their day. If you find you have intense mood swings, this could be a sign you’d benefit from seeing a mental health professional.
Intense mood swings are most commonly associated with bipolar disorder, but they can also appear in mental illnesses like panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The type of mood swings, their frequency and other symptoms will help mental health care professionals determine what mental illness you have.
2. You Have a Lack of Motivation
Living with anxiety disorders can cause overwhelming fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest. This overwhelming fatigue is often a contributing factor to having little to no motivation. If you have a mental disorder like depression, a lack of motivation may happen regardless of energy levels. In ADHD, a lack of motivation may occur because you have trouble concentrating on any one thing and it becomes overwhelming. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, no motivation could be caused by the overwhelming feelings associated with repeating compulsions.
Emotional distress of all kinds can make it difficult to motivate yourself. However, many types of therapy can help you feel more motivated, improving your overall quality of life. For example, interpersonal therapy or psychodynamic therapy could help find and treat the root cause of your low motivation. Likewise, art therapy or music therapy could relieve emotional issues causing unhealthy stress levels.
3. You Have Anxiety in Social Situations
Some anxiety in social situations is normal. For example, many people feel a little nervous before giving a speech in front of a crowd or hanging out with a group of people they don’t know well. However, you could have a mental illness called social anxiety disorder if you feel intense or debilitating fear in most social situations. Social anxiety can happen with several personality disorders, including avoidant personality disorder.
If you have severe social anxiety, you may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is helpful because it focuses on changing how you think or feel in specific situations. If your social anxiety stems from a specific traumatic event, mental health treatment like talk therapy, group therapy and medications may be helpful. You may also benefit from animal-assisted therapy.
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display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” content_align=”left” size=”6″ font_size=”18px” text_color=”#9fc061″ text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”default” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Are you ready to grow your mind, body & spirit?![/fusion_title][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” content_align=”left” size=”3″ font_size=”30px” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”default” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Alta Loma is Austin’s leading men’s mental health transformational service[/fusion_title][fusion_button target=”_self” color=”default” linear_angle=”180″ stretch=”default” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” link=”tel:(866) 457-3843″ icon=”fa-phone-alt fas”]Austin, TX — Call today[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_repeat=”no-repeat” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” hover_type=”none” background_blend_mode=”overlay” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]4. Your Relationships Are Suffering
Relationships have ups and downs, but poor mental health can cause otherwise healthy relationships to suffer significantly. Rapidly changing moods, angry outbursts and paranoia can make it difficult for you and your partner’s relationship to thrive. Certain disorders can cause more profound relationship problems.
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) can come off as selfish or push people away. Unlike people with narcissistic personality disorder, those with BPD act out of a desperate desire for love. BPD often appears after a traumatic childhood and can co-occur with problems like PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can prove helpful in this situation, and couple or family therapy could also be beneficial.
5. You Feel Paranoid or Anxious Most of the Time
The average person doesn’t feel paranoid, anxious or on edge most of the time. If you feel like this at least half the time or feelings persist for weeks, you’d likely benefit from therapy. Paranoia and anxiety can present as anger or frustration, especially in men. A treatment approach will depend on the root cause of your paranoia and anxiety.
For example, exposure therapy may be helpful if a specific place or situation causes your anxiety. If your symptoms are debilitating, you may find a short residential stay in a supportive environment helpful. Many mental illnesses can cause anxiety and paranoia that are difficult to manage or treat independently. A therapist can give you healthy techniques for managing stress and prescribe medication.
6. You’ve Experienced a Traumatic Event
Anyone who’s experienced traumatic events would benefit from therapy. These events can have lasting effects on your mental health and cause post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of PTSD include paranoia, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, hallucinations, panic attacks and avoidance of anything that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Veterans often have PTSD after serving in active combat or deployment. However, they aren’t the only ones who may suffer from this. A traumatic event may include:
- Being in a car accident
- Watching a bad car accident take place
- Getting robbed or watching someone get robbed
- Suffering domestic violence as a child or adult
- Growing up in an abusive household
- The sudden or unexpected death of a loved one
- A sudden, severe medical problem
- Being in a natural disaster like a tornado, hurricane, flash flood or earthquake
- Being shot or watching someone else be shot
- Finding a loved one who’s died of suicide or an overdose
These aren’t all the potentially traumatic events a person may go through. Anything that causes you significant distress or anxiety is considered traumatic.
Alta Loma Is Here To Help
If you or a loved one are showing any of the six signs you need therapy for your mental health, Alta Loma is here to help. We’re a transformational service based in Georgetown, Texas, designed specifically for men’s mental health care needs and addiction treatment. Our facility is conveniently located a few miles outside Austin.
Call us today at (866) 457-3843 to learn how we can help with your mental health conditions. You can also fill out our online contact form if preferred and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
