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Signs You Should Consider Therapy
by Stacy Cesar
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May 10, 2022

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Signs You Should Consider Therapy

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It’s Mental Health Awareness Month! As a community, Black folks are turning the tide in discussions about therapy and healing, but so many people still have questions about why therapy is needed and I understand. One of the biggest misconceptions of therapy is that there must be something seriously wrong in order to go and that could not be further from the truth. My name is Stacy Cesar, and I’m a therapist that specializes in childhood trauma, marriage counseling, and trauma-informed care. Beyond that, I’m a Black woman that has experienced years of childhood trauma that I had to work to heal and I know firsthand how important therapy is for me as well. As a therapist, oftentimes by the time I am seeing a client, there are at the breaking point of their concern/issue. While therapy is helpful during a time of crisis, the earlier you seek the right help, the more it will benefit in helping to resolve your concern. 

Let’s get proactive and discuss five signs that could indicate it is time to speak to a therapist: 

  • Change in your eating and sleeping pattern 

Your sleeping and eating patterns are pretty clear signals of trouble with your emotional and mental wellbeing. During periods of stress, it can be normal to struggle with sleeping and or eating less or more. This becomes increasingly concerning if you notice that you are experiencing a prolonged period of difficulty with sleeping and/or eating.   

 

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  • Feeling less productive or finding it difficult to concentrate

Do you find yourself struggling to get through your to-do list, forgetting things that just happened, making careless mistakes, lack of focus, and having difficulty sitting still. It becomes increasingly difficult to focus on tasks when experiencing stress. Lack of concentration can be a sign that there is something more going on, it can be a symptom of a medical or mental health condition. If you are experiencing an extended period of difficulty with productivity and concentration, it may be time to speak to your primary care physician to rule out any medical conditions and seek counseling with a mental health professional. 

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  • Difficulty managing your emotions 

Emotions are a big part of life and we can experience many different emotions throughout the day.  Some of these are easy to deal with and others are more intense and difficult to manage. If you have difficulties managing your emotions for a long period of time this may indicate that you need additional support. The most common emotions that people experience such as anger, irritability, worry, and sadness can be a good barometer of how you are dealing with stress and if you are having an extreme response.  

 

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  • Conflict in your relationships

The people we love are often those closest to us, and because of this, experience a shift in our mood. When we are struggling with stress we can take it out of those around us unknowingly. If you find yourself becoming easily angered or irritable when interacting in your relationships, this is a sign that seeking a mental health professional can help understand underlying concerns that may be contributing to the change in mood. 

  • You are avoiding social situations or begin to isolate   

When struggling with a stressful situation you may find yourself avoiding social gatherings with friends and/or family. Social isolation is not necessarily bad as most people crave solitude as a form of recharge (introverts). It’s important to assess if you are avoiding social situations due to not wanting to address the emotions coming up or fear of responding negatively to people or if you are avoiding social situations to recharge energy. If you find yourself not feeling recharged or replenished even after some time alone, this is a good indicator to seek some support with a mental health provider. 

If any of these sounds familiar, then you should consider seeking professional help by speaking to your primary care physician and/or searching for a mental health professional in your area. 

Mental Health Resources and Directories:

therapyforblackgirls.com
therapyforblackmen.org
blackmenheal.org
melaninandmentalhealth.com
inclusivetherapists.com
therapyden.com
openpath.com
cliniciansofcolor.org

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