Mental health issues have found a lot of attention lately. However, seeking professional help for managing these issues continues to be unfamiliar territory for most. Also, people tend to brush aside these issues, wondering why make a big fuss about a minor issue, or brushing it all off as being something in their head.
Like most health issues, understanding psychological issues is not that easy and the symptoms are not always obvious. Psychologist & Clinical Director of Manah Wellness, Debasmita Sinha talks about some common signs that one may need a mental health professional.
The psychologist was quoted in the article as saying, “Prolonged emotional health issues (usually lasting two weeks or more) typically should be discussed with a mental health professional.
These issues include low mood or sadness; being anxious/unable to relax; brain fog or focus issues; unexplained fatigue/difficulty in starting or getting through the day; feeling disinterested suddenly in things that were previously enjoyable; having thoughts of self-harm or ending life; or any unexplained shift in appetite and/or sleep.”
One of the signs you need to see a mental health professional is that you are unable to cope with a difficult life event on your own. Even the unhealthiest individuals may struggle with stressful events or periods of transition in their lives. Sinha said, “If you lost a loved one, going through divorce or breakup, a stressful relocation or a new project, undergoing physical or mental assault, you may need help.”
It is important to consult a professional to address these issues. But before you do, you should figure out who would best suit your needs. There are different kinds of mental health professionals. These include counselling or clinical psychologists, guidance counsellors, mental health social workers, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists.
These professionals do not work in isolation. As most patients may need a combination of medication, counselling, or therapy, it’s quite common for psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists to work in close coordination.
