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Confusion surrounds therapy -

There is a lot of confusion surrounding psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, provides you with a safe place to speak about your experiences, explore your options, and develop skills to deal with life’s challenges.

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Stress management and emotional regulation -

Dr. Lindsey Giller, a clinical psychologist for the Mood Disorders Center at Child Mind Institute in New York, describes a therapist as someone who helps us form strategies to self-regulate our behavior and manage stress effectively.

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It comes in many forms -

There are many forms of psychotherapy, including interpersonal psychotherapy, which centers on improving social functioning and relationships.

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Psychoanalytic psychotherapy -

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is used for treating depression and other psychological disorders.

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Cognitive analytical therapy -

Cognitive analytical therapy looks at one’s past behavior, belief systems, and negative behavioral patterns.

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CBT -

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, works by helping people to initiate change in their lives for the better. People often seek treatment if they want to improve their lives but don’t know how to do so.

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Mapping the way forward -

"A skilled therapist can help you understand your part in a situation and what you can do differently to produce a better outcome,” says Missouri-based clinical psychologist Dr. Helen Friedman.

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Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes -

There are some signs that it’s time to seek professional help. And there is no shame in seeking it.

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Emotional regulation -

Having difficulty regulating your emotions is one sign that a therapist may be helpful. If someone feels sad, angry, empty, and disinterested in everything for an extended period, it may be a sign of clinical depression, says Dr. Friedman.

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The duration and intensity of negative emotions -

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a California-based clinical psychologist, says it is essential to note these feelings’ intensity and duration, as we’re supposed to feel sad and angry now and again.

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Low energy and concentration -

Dr. Durvasula also says if you are performing overwhelmingly poorly at work or school because you feel like you have no energy and can’t concentrate, it may be a sign that you’re struggling with psychological or emotional issues.

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Subpar work performance -

This can result in a lack of interest in what you’re doing and make you perform at subpar levels at work or in other parts of life.

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Not being alert can be dangerous -

In certain professions, Dr. Durvasula adds, this can be risky not only for the person themselves, but also the people around them. Consider the dangers of a truck driver losing concentration.

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Sleeping and mental health -

Dr. Friedman points out that someone who is anxious or in a manic state may have significant sleeping issues, whereas someone experiencing depression may sleep too much.

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Eating and mental health -

People may sleep or eat considerably more when experiencing stress, and others may find that they can barely sleep or eat.

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Long-term changes in sleeping patterns and appetite -

The main point is that if someone has been eating or sleeping much more or much less for an extended period, they should consider seeking professional help, according to Dr. Friedman.

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Mental health and relationships -

Our mental health can lead to a variety of issues in a relationship, says Dr. Durvasula. It may lead to someone pulling away emotionally or leaning too much on the other person for support.

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Strained social connections -

According to Dr. Durvasula, people suffering from psychological or emotional issues may have difficulty cultivating relationships at school, work, or anywhere else in their lives. The symptoms of these various issues can put a strain on new or old relationships.

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Suffering in silence -

Often, people who have experienced trauma may not feel like speaking about what happened to them to other people because they believe this will burden those individuals. This is where the therapist comes in.

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Working through trauma -

People experiencing emotional distress in their lives will often benefit from talk therapy. Although people may be intellectually aware of what happened to them, this kind of treatment allows them to work through it emotionally.

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No longer enjoying activities -

Similar to a previous point, if someone no longer enjoys the activities they typically did, it may be a sign that they’re struggling with psychological or emotional stress.

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Victims of abuse -

"The most common causes of perpetual disinterest and feeling of inner emptiness include depression, grief or chronic childhood abuse or neglect," says Dr. Friedman.

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Emptiness and perpetual disinterest -

People who have experienced trauma in the past that they haven't dealt with are likely to benefit hugely from talk therapy.

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Loss -

Grieving because of a loss, a breakup, and so on is a painful and often dragged-out process. Therapy can help people by serving as a compassionate place for people to process the loss and the distressing emotions that go with it.

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Unusual phobias -

Many phobias are quite common, but some phobias can lead to serious problems. For example, sitophobia (fear of eating) leads to a range of health problems.

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The connection between mental health and physical health -

Mental health is linked to physical health. Dr. Durvasula explained that this is because psychological issues affect the nervous system, impacting all other health systems like the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

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Addiction -

Addiction is a very common pitfall for people who are under exceeding emotional or mental stress. People who use substances or sex, for some examples, to numb or distract themselves or to cope, may benefit from therapy.

Sources: (Forbes)(Healthline)

See also: Reasons why people refuse to go to therapy

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