Could you benefit from counselling?
Many of us suffer in silence, hesitating to reach out and receive the help we require to cope during tough times. Should you be experiencing emotional distress, therapy could go a long way towards freeing you from the emotional baggage and thought patterns holding you back in life. Here are a few signs that you could benefit from psychological treatment.
1. Your relationships are strained
If you’re experiencing ongoing family issues and struggle to maintain friendships or romantic relationships, a therapist or psychologist may provide insight into what’s going on and offer advice to improve your interpersonal relationships. Should a particular relationship be causing you distress, a counsellor can help you to work through issues or provide the perspective needed to walk away if necessary.
2. You’re stressed out
Cassey Chambers, operations director at the South Arican Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), points out that South Africans have various contributing factors to their stress levels including demanding working environments, relationship issues, financial stress, crime, violence, substance abuse, grief, illness and more.
‘Many people start struggling to cope when the stress in their lives outweighs the resources available,’ says Chambers. Too much stress can cause the following symptoms:
- Physical ailments such as headaches, back pain, digestive problems.
- Changes in sleeping habits, such as sleeping too much or too little.
- Changes in eating habits. Women tend to overeat or comfort eat to cope with stress, whereas men tend to lose their appetites.
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions or multi-tasking.
When these types of issues start to affect your daily functioning, it’s time to seek professional help.
3. You’ve got a bad temper
It’s normal to be irritated at times or grumpy when circumstances in your life are not ideal, but if your temper is out of control a therapist may help you identify the source of your rage and offer ways to deal with everyday challenges more constructively. Regularly feeling frustrated, resentful or overwhelmed are also signs that the demands in your life outweigh your coping resources and help is required.
‘If you leave these symptoms to persist without intervention, it may lead to more serious conditions such as depression, anxiety and burnout,’ cautions Chambers.
Bankmed support
The Bankmed Online Stress Assessment can help you assess your mental-health status. You can log in to conduct the assessment at www.bankmed.co.za.
SADAG support
SADAG’s helpline number (0800-21-22-23) offers free telephonic counselling, information and referrals for various mental health issues. For online information and support, refer to the SADAG website at www.sadag.org.