Do I need therapy? Seven signs it could help

Many people put off therapy because they think their problems are not serious enough. Others wait until things fall apart. Neither is necessary. Therapy is useful long before a crisis, in the same way a physiotherapist is useful before an injury becomes chronic.

Seven signs worth paying attention to

1. It has lasted more than a few weeks. Everyone has bad days. Low mood, worry or irritability that hangs around for two weeks or more deserves attention.
2. It is getting in the way. Work, sleep, appetite, relationships or things you used to enjoy are suffering.
3. You are coping in ways you do not like. More alcohol, more scrolling, more avoiding, more snapping at people.
4. The same pattern keeps repeating. The same argument, the same kind of relationship, the same dead end.
5. Something big has happened. A loss, a move, a baby, a break-up, a diagnosis, a redundancy.
6. The people around you are worried, or you have run out of people to talk to.
7. You simply want to understand yourself better. Curiosity is a perfectly good reason.

What therapy is, and is not

Therapy is a structured conversation with someone trained to listen, notice patterns and teach skills. It is not advice from a friend, and it is not someone telling you what to do. A good therapist helps you work out what you think, feel and want, and what to try next.

A low-pressure first step

If you are unsure, start small. A short self-test can help you put words to how you have been feeling. A free intro call lets you meet a therapist and ask questions without committing to anything.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please do not wait. Use the numbers on our Get help now page.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are in crisis, please use the resources on our Get help now page.