Recognizing when it’s time to seek professional help is one of the most important yet difficult to do when facing a mental health struggle. It takes courage and humility to admit to ourselves that we can’t solve it ourselves. Unfortunately, many people struggle by themselves for far too long and by the time they see a professional. Below are some signs that indicate it may be time for you to see a professional.

Lasting Emotional Distress. If you find yourself constantly overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress that lasts over a considerably long time, it might be time to get external help. While everyone experiences emotional stress from time to time, a persistent long-lasting negative emotional state ( be it sadness, anger, or other types of unpleasant emotions) may mean whatever it is you’re doing is not working as expected. A common symptoms is deep sense of sadness, numbness, or feeling irritated for weeks without any apparent reason.

Impact on Daily Activities. It’s also wise to seek help when emotional struggles begin to interfere with your daily life, such as work, studies, personal responsibilities, or daily routine. It can manifest as being easily distracted or difficulty concentrating at work, or something as subtle as being unable to enjoy things you used to. The longer we let negative thoughts and emotions linger in our mind, the deeper the problem will affect other areas of our lives.

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms. Sometimes it’s not about the severity of the issue, but how we cope with it. Turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking, gambling, or doing drugs can be just as if not more damaging towards both our mental and physical health. A case of depression or trauma can quickly lead to substance abuse or addiction, digging oneself into a deeper hole. This is how a person can end up suffering from multiple mental health issues. Like cancer that spreads throughout one’s body, prompt and timely action can make a lot of difference.

Negative impacts on relationships. A mental health issue doesn’t only affect the person, but also people around them as well. Depression or anxiety disorder doesn’t only impact how affected people function or feel in daily life, but also hinders their loved ones from fostering an intimate relationship with them. If you feel like your relationships with others are strained or negatively affected, it’s time to introspect. Constant struggles and conflicts within relationships, whether romantic or professional, can be a telling sign that our problems have spread.

Intrusive Thoughts or Behaviors. Persistent intrusive thoughts, self-harm tendencies, or suicidal thoughts require immediate attention. While obvious, individuals having intrusive thoughts tend to believe there is no more hope, creating a downward spiral which prevents them from getting help, feeling like it’s meaningless. It’s important to seek help as soon as you notice any signs of dangerous thoughts. There is always a solution to the problem and mental health professionals are specifically equipped to work together with you to find a way out.

Understand that getting professional help is not a sign of weakness, but courage and responsible to ourselves. Getting help shows our commitment to our own wellbeing. A person doesn’t have to have all the signs above to get help. If any or some of these signs resonate with you, reaching out to a mental health professional can be a great first step to understand the next steps towards a better life.