20 Signs You Need Therapy

Reasons to Go to Therapy

When making the decision to go to therapy, it can help to have a good understanding of why you want to go to therapy. What are your goals? What do you hope to get out of it?

Some reasons people go to therapy include, but are not limited to:

• Recovery from trauma.
• Help with relationship issues. 
• Healing from mental illness like depression or anxiety.
• Coping skills for disorders such as ADHD, OCD, autism, etc. 
• Referral to a psychiatrist to get medication for mental health issues. 
• Help through a major life transition. 
• Help managing stress levels. 
• Diagnosis of mental health disorders. 
• Help setting and achieving goals. 
• Enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. 
• Better self-esteem and self-confidence. 
• Better communication skills. 

Another perfectly good reason to attend therapy is that something feels off, but you don’t know what. Although goals are always helpful when starting out in therapy, it’s okay if you don’t have any. If all you know is that you’re not where you’d like to be in life and want some help getting there, seeing a therapist is a good option. 

20 Signs You Need Therapy

Below are 20 true or false questions. Try to answer honestly. At the end, we’ll tally up your “True” and “False” responses to determine if you need therapy. 

Disclaimer: This test is not a diagnosis tool. Therapy is for everyone, no matter how big or small your issue seems. If you are unhappy or struggling in life, talking to a therapist can help. 

1. I feel deeply unsatisfied with my life. 
2. I’m lonely and feel like I can’t deeply connect with anyone. 
3. I’m constantly sad. I don’t think I’ll ever be happy again. 
4. I feel aimless. There’s no point in my life. 
5. I can’t concentrate on anything. My thoughts feel like they slip through the cracks before I can catch them.
6. Sometimes, I really hate myself. 
7. I’m constantly on edge. I jump at little interruptions. 
8. I can’t stop thinking. My mind won’t shut up. 
9. My stress levels feel overwhelming. 
10. I don’t sleep enough, eat healthy, or exercise. Taking care of myself feels like a chore that I either can’t remember to do or don’t have the energy to do it. 
11. I feel like I’m at fault for every bad thing that happens in my life. 
12. Nothing brings me joy anymore. 
13. I feel scared more often than not, even if I can't tell you why. 
14. I have a lot of unexplained physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pain. 
15. I have trouble communicating my wants and needs. 
16. I feel like there’s something wrong with me. 
17. I have goals, but I don’t know how to accomplish them. I feel like I’m going nowhere in life. 
18. I feel like my head is in the clouds. My world or myself doesn’t always feel real. 
19. Sometimes I feel ecstatic, like nothing can go wrong, and other times I feel unbearably down.
20. My work life, relationships, and physical health have been suffering lately. 

If you answered “true” to any of these, then therapy can help. A therapist can help you heal from mental illness, chronic stress, trauma, or relationship issues, but they can also be there during a difficult transition, grief, loneliness, or goal setting. 

If you answered “true” to more than 10 of these questions, then you should probably see a therapist, as it is likely you have a mental health condition that a therapist can help treat.

Think of your health as a scale from -10 to +10. -10 might be lowest of the low, you might be experience suicidal thoughts, are unable to leave your house or get out of bed, and feel as if your life has lost all purpose. In your physical health, -10 to -1 would be those things you have to see a doctor for: A broken leg, the flu, or a chronic illness. +10 is the best: you’re succeeding at life, accomplishing your goal, and you feel firmly rooted in your sense of self. In your physical health, +1 to +10 would be things like weight loss goals, healthy habits, exercise goals—things that elevate your life. 

Therapy is for those at -10, but it’s also for those at +9, and everyone in between. In fact, if you feel might be at +10 one day but +7 another, and you want to talk to a therapist to help you on those lower days—that’s a great reason to come to therapy. 

In general, if you are in that negative range of 0 to -10, we highly recommend therapy. Just like how you would see a physical doctor for physical ailments, a therapist is a doctor for the mind and emotions. 

What many people don’t realize is that therapy is not a life-long commitment. The goal of a therapist is to get you to the point where you can leave their services and be healthy, happy, and self-sustainable for years to come. Most people are only in therapy for 3-4 months before they feel ready to end therapy. 

A good therapist will always be there when you need them, so you can take breaks and come back as needed. (Read this guide on how to find a good therapist!)

Is it okay to not do therapy?

Yes, of course. Therapy has become very main-stream lately, with some people saying it's a red flag to not go to therapy. This isn’t always true. We all have things to work on and work through, yes. Therapy has been scientifically proven to help us with these things. But if you have a different way of growing and healing, then that’s perfectly fine. 

You might also want to consider alternative therapy modalities. Not everything has to be talk therapy, in which you talk with a therapist one-on-one. Group therapy can be very helpful to some people, as can art therapy, music therapy, or wilderness therapy. There are many different therapy modalities; find one that is a good fit for you. Exploring alternative ways to achieve well-being is a good option for those who don’t feel like traditional talk therapy is a good choice. 

Lifebulb therapists can help you with your decision. If we aren’t a good fit for you we can refer you out to someone who is. Don’t let your fears or questions around therapy hold you back. Our support team can answer any questions you have, and we can get you scheduled with a therapist near you within 7 days of your calling.

Call us, or book an appointment for online therapy, online counseling today!

Our team of counselors will assist you with treatment plans that can help build a positive attitude towards fighting mental health issues.

Find a Therapist

703-955-3703