Psychotherapy, counseling, talk or talking therapy, or just a therapy—no matter the name it’s known by, mental health counseling can help people struggling with emotional difficulties, life challenges, and mental health issues.

It may take some necessary steps before you decide that you’re ready for therapy or not. You may want to wait and see if time, lifestyle changes, or the support of friends and family improves whatever you’re stressed with.

If you experience any kind of emotions or feelings to the extent that they interfere with life, therapy may assist you to reduce their effects. It’s particularly necessary to consider getting help if you feel controlled by symptoms or if they could cause harm to yourself or people around you.

1. Overwhelm

You may feel like you have a lot of things to do or too many problems to cope with. You might feel like you don’t even have time to rest or breathe. Stress as well as overwhelm can lead to serious physical health concerns.

2. Fatigue

 This physical symptom many a times results from or accompanies mental health problems. It can be a sign of depression. Fatigue makes you sleep more than usual or sometimes have trouble getting out of bed in the morning.

3. Disproportionate rage, anger, or resentment

 Everyone feels angry many a times. Even passing rage isn’t necessarily harmful. Looking support to deal with these feelings may be a better idea when they don’t pass, are compared to the situation, or if they lead you to take violent or potentially harmful steps.

4. Agoraphobia

 People with agoraphobia fear being in places where they may experience panic attacks or become trapped. In fact few people may become unable to leave their houses.

5. Anxious or intrusive thoughts

It’s quite normal to worry about things from time to time, but when worrying takes up a significant part of your day or causes physical symptoms, therapy can be a better idea to help you deal with it.

6. Apathy

 Losing interest in regular activities, the world around you or life in general can be a sign of mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

7. Hopelessness

To lose hope or motivation, or feeling as if you have no future, can indicate depression or another mental health issue. Feeling hopeless after specific intervals, especially after a period of difficulty, isn’t uncommon. But when it exists, it may even lead to thoughts of suicide.

8. Social withdrawal

 Most of the people feel good when they’re able to spend at least some time alone. Introverted people might need even more time alone as compared to that of others. But if you feel distressed with others being around or fear being with other people, therapy can help you understand as well as tell you ways to deal with such kind of feelings.

Even if you are unsure, whether you want to commit to therapy or not, many therapists provide a free first session or phone consultation to talk through what you’re dealing with. Depending on your symptoms, they might encourage you to get assistance.