No matter how close you are to your best friend, brother, sister, cousin or colleague, there are certain things you prefer keeping to yourself. Sometimes, you keep on doing so till it’s no longer bearable. Then, you might end up doing something you would regret for the rest of your days. This is just how it is – its human psyche.

There is no doubt that therapy can go a long way in improving your mental health. The ones who’ve gone through the process really know how beneficial it can be. Investing in therapy can prove to be a blessing in the long run.

When any type of mental health or emotional concern affects daily life and function, therapy is recommended. Therapy can help you learn about what you’re feeling, why you might be feeling it, and how to cope. It also offers a safe place to talk about life challenges such as breakups, grief, parenting difficulties, or family struggles.

Therapy can help improve symptoms of many mental health conditions. In therapy, people also learn to cope with symptoms that may not respond to treatment right away. Research shows the benefits of therapy last longer than medication alone.

Medication can reduce some symptoms of mental health conditions, but therapy teaches people skills to address symptoms on their own. These skills last after therapy ends, and symptoms may continue to improve, making it less likely people will need further treatment.

But when does it become obvious that one is in dire need of therapy? It is very important to know the right time to consult because the procedure cannot be effective if we end up going too early or end up in being too late.

To really know when is the right time to consult a therapist, it is essential to know the symptoms. Here are some signs one might face that would indicate that a consultation has becomes a necessity. If any of these feelings prolong, it’s high time you contact a therapist as soon as possible:

1) Loneliness

One of the most common feelings someone who suffers from mental health issues experiences is loneliness. This type of loneliness doesn’t occur in a locked room or behind walls, it can occur when you are taking a shower, having dinner, are out partying or even with friends. There is no real time or place for this sort of feeling, which is why it is extremely dangerous and overwhelming.

2) Fatigue

Fatigue may indicate a lot of things, the top most being depression. Fatigue can lead to laziness, lethargy, or countless hours of unneeded sleep. It can make you uneasy and ending up in bed longer than necessary, ultimately making you late for academics or work.

3) Anxiousness

It’s alright to worry about some things but overthinking everything and constantly making out situations in your head without really finding a solution can be worrisome for your mental health, indicating that it’s high time you talk to a psychotherapist.

4) Social Withdrawal

Ever wondered how in the past you were really excited going out on weekends with friends but now all you want to do is chill alone in your bed thinking about stuff that you shouldn’t really be thinking about? Yes, this often happens even to the best of us. But persistently feeling so is extremely harmful. If you feel distressed being around people and prefer spending time along, therapy may improve your well-being.

5) Hopelessness

Losing hope or motivation or feeling you have no future can indicate mental health condition, often depression. Feeling hopeless from time to time, especially after a period of difficulty, isn’t uncommon. But when it persists, it may lead to suicidal thoughts. It becomes imperative to go to a therapist.

6) Feeling overwhelmed

You might feel like you have too many things to do or too many issues to cope with. You might feel like you can’t rest or even breathe. Stress and being overwhelmed can lead to serious physical health concerns. Even positive changes in life such as new year of university, new relationship or a baby can make you feel overwhelmed. If you feel you have to juggle a lot of stuff, then its the right time for you to take a step back and make space for yourself. Therapy can help you create that positive space in your stressful life.

7) Thinking About Suicide

Constantly thinking about scenarios and ways to end it all by committing suicide is without a doubt the most serious and obvious sign on which immediate consultation becomes necessary.

Your health is undoubtedly the most important thing without which there is no reason to live life. Just like physical pain, mental pain, too, is a real thing and should be dealt with effectively and preferably as soon as possible.

So before it’s too late, go see a professional. Book an appointment with a psychotherapist, because believe it or not, therapy can actually do wonders for you, You’ll start noticing the results very soon after starting therapy. End the negativity and go help lead yourself to the road to productivity.