It's Time to Consult a Psychotherapist.

Before we go in-depth on the topic, we need to understand what do we need when someone suggests consulting a psychotherapist. Or what does "psychotherapy" mean in general?

According to the American Psychiatric Association:

By definition, Psychotherapy is a collaborative approach toward the treatment of "mental disorders" or "mental illnesses". However, psychotherapy deals with a pattern of irrational thoughts as well as disturbing feelings/emotions of an individual.

Let's have a look at a scenario!

Suppose you are living with a family member and suddenly you see an emotional change in him. Like you see him crying most often, being oversensitive or you see a change in his temperament. Furthermore, there is also a change in his pattern of the sleep cycle or eating habits, etc.

What will you do? Firstly, you will "talk about the problem that is distressing that individual". Or if there is an event or any incident that you think might have changed or disrupted his mental state, you will ask him if that is bothering you.

So, for an understanding of the "psychotherapy", you need to understand that psychotherapy is always needed when "an individual is following a disturbing pattern of life! And for that, you need to know about the "triggering events", or incidents that have triggered any mental disorder. And for which a person needs a psychotherapy.

There are several numbers of "psychotherapies" that are undoubted, evidence-based treatments to psychological disorders. Let's have a look at a few of them:

• Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy is a specific therapy that is used to improve & polish "interpersonal skills. It is related to family, workplace relationships, friends, etc. Moreover, interpersonal psychotherapy is an effective technique that can be used for the treatment of major depressive episodes as well as anxiety disorders. It also helps a person to maintain and build healthy relationships with people.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Another "effective approach" to mental disorders is known as "Cognitive Behavioural Therapy". It is an important tool in the treatment of several mental disorders like anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders, etc.

One of the many reasons behind the success of CBT is that " it modifies the irrational beliefs or thoughts of a person into more productive, rational beliefs/thoughts. Consequently, this is a popular strategy among mental health professionals as well as counsellors.

to be noted...

Furthermore, it helps in "problem-solving" as well as in "decision-making" techniques. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a "practical approach" to the mental illness and working effectively for the clients. Thus, CBT is a psychotherapy that converts negative, automatic irrational beliefs into more healthy ones.

This is a type of psychotherapy that is mainly focused on your "unconscious", repressed thought patterns. However, these repressed desires or thoughts may disrupt your life.

So, this is one of the important psychotherapies that will help you identify the problematic patterns of your unconscious mind and open ways for you to be more rational, and healthy thinking patterns!

• Acceptance Psychotherapy

Acceptance therapy is used by psychologists as well as a mental health counselor to help clients with "relationship" problems. Especially, this is a psychotherapy that is used for the couple therapy as well.

Acceptance therapy is also an effective approach for "adjustment issues". As it is beneficial for the individuals to cope in a much better way in daily-life stressors!

Thus, all psychotherapies are efficient & effective approaches for the clients that are being used by modern psychologists. Though, psychotherapies have their roots in the past and are originated by the famous psychology theorists.

As this article revolves around the whole idea of "When its actually a time to see a therapist?". Or what could be the signs or symptoms that will make you decide that you need professional help or psychotherapy!

Generally, there are times in our lives when we feel low or we feel sad or down. but that feeling goes away in a day or two. However, in our lives, we also come across the times when this feeling of sadness or disturbance in our life just doesn't go away!

All of a sudden we start to lose interest in daily activities. For instance, we find it really hard to perform the simple tasks of daily routine. Or you can also say if a person who once loves socializing with his friends suddenly don't feel like going with them!

When do you realize that you need a psychologist?

Firstly and essentially you need to "pin-point" the "changed patterns in your lifestyle". According to a Mood Disorder psychologist from New York, named Dr. Lindsay Giller, " Our thoughts & emotions have a direct effect on our overall functioning in life as well as on our health". She also adds that "it is essential to take care of your mental health as it enhances the ability to cope up with routine life stressors!"

Moreover, the American Psychological Association has provided with a criterion that tells when do you need to see or consult a psychotherapist. Thus, if you feel any of the following signs/symptoms in your life, it is important to consider psychotherapy or professional help.

If you:

If you have a consistent depressed feeling or mood or if you don't feel like doing daily routine chores and find it a burden for a number of days.

If you feel a persistent feeling of hopelessness or low self-worth for a longer period of time.

If you keep on worrying excessively or if you feel stressed out easily over simpler tasks.

If you urge to harm yourself or another person or people around you. Or you may have feelings to hurt yourself or others.

If you become over-aggressive or abusive most frequently.

If you feel difficulty in concentrating on your work or focusing.

If you find it problematic to decide on simple tasks, etc.

So,

If you ever feel any of the following symptoms then remind yourself that its the time to see a therapist. Because mental health is as important as your physical health!!

American Psychological Association. Understanding psychotherapy and how it works. 2016