Many people think therapy is only for times of crisis, but in reality, it can be immensely helpful before: when things feel “off” or harder than usual, or maybe you’re just not feeling like yourself. Rebecca Brown, LCSW, Director of Adult Clinical Services, identifies five early signs it’s time to reach out:
- You feel overwhelmed most of the time
"Often times people come in because they are feeling stuck. There are so many things going on that they are shut down, immobilized, or blocked,” says Rebecca. “Sometimes people feel like they can't get out of their own way, but think they just need to push through it. This can be a sign they might benefit from more support.”
2. Your sleep, energy, or appetite is off
This might look like trouble sleeping, waking up tired no matter how much you rest, or eating more or less than normal. “The body tends to signal stress before we fully recognize it emotionally,” Rebecca explains. “Sleep and energy shifts are often an early clue; however, many people think it's something physical like getting sick, having a late night out, etc. Many people don't realize it could be related to something emotional."
3. You feel more irritable, anxious, or reactive than usual
Maybe things that normally wouldn’t bother you suddenly do, or you’ve been feeling edgy. “People often say, ‘I just don’t feel like myself,’” says Rebecca. “That shift in baseline can be really important to pay attention to. Also notice if your friends and family have been asking you more frequently, 'how are you doing?'"
4. You’re pulling away from people or things you used to enjoy
You might cancel plans more often, lose interest in hobbies, or want to be alone more than usual. “Pulling away from life can be an indicator of stress or developing depression/ anxiety,” Rebecca points out.
5. You keep telling yourself you should be able to handle it. “You might be brushing things off because ‘it’s not that bad’ or because ‘other people have it worse,” says Rebecca, but "we all have struggles and it's important not to minimize our own experience."
Often, our struggles can look like several seemingly small signs rather than one big signal. Rebecca advises:
“When thinking about whether therapy might be helpful, it can be useful to look at your overall functioning — how you’re actually managing day to day compared to how you used to. Maybe things that once felt manageable now feel heavier or harder to keep up with. You might notice shifts in your relationships, your energy levels, or your ability to focus and follow through on tasks. Sleep or eating patterns may be off, and your sense of self may feel more critical or uncertain. You could find yourself forgetting things, missing deadlines, or struggling with responsibilities that normally wouldn’t be an issue. And it’s not just an occasional rough day — there’s a pattern over time where these challenges are becoming more frequent or more intense. When these changes start to interfere with your daily life and don’t seem to improve on their own, it may be a sign that additional support could be helpful.”
You don’t need to wait for things to feel unmanageable. Our skilled, empathetic clinicians work with you to provide support for anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and more. Learn more and reach out for an appointment with our Adult Clinical Services here.