We all experience stress, anxiety, and other forms of mental health issues at some point in our lives. Professional setbacks, rejection, financial issues, relationships, personal loss, etc… are just some of the reasons these issues start, but most of the time, we're able to bounce back. Sometimes thought, you might need a little extra help

If you’re unable to "snap out of it", or noticing negative patterns, thoughts, or emotions that are affecting your lifestyle it may be time to seek other options. 

Here are 6 critical signs it's time to see a therapist:

1. You're having a difficult time regulating your emotions. 

While we all feel sad, anxious or angry at some point in our lives, it's important to pay attention to how often or how intensely you feel these emotions. For example, in men, depression is often overlooked because anger or irritability is wrongly assumed as a normal masculine trait. In children, instead of showing visible signs of sadness, many may show irritability, anger or hostility towards others. 

2. Your work performance is decreasing

A decrease in performance at work is a common trait among those struggling with mental health issues. These types of issues can impair attention, concentration, memory, or energy, which can lead to apathy towards work or whatever tasks are in front of them. A lack of interest in work often results in subpar work performance.

3. You're experiencing changes in your sleep or appetite.

Mental health issues often have a profound impact on ones sleep and appetite. On one end of the spectrum, an anxious individual may be sleepless, while a severely depressed individual might sleep all the time. Stress often dulls emotions, which can lead to forgetting to eat or in others leads to overeating. 

4. You no longer enjoy activities you once did. 

People struggling with mental health issues often feel disconnected from life. They lose interest in things they usually loved to do and grow distant from relationships they used to love. Increased isolation, apathy about the future, and even wishing they weren't alive are also sure signs of mental health issues that should be addressed with the help of a professional.

5. You're neglecting your physical health.

Mental health issues have both direct and indirect effects on our physical health—directly due to them both being influenced by the central nervous system, and indirectly as they are associated with headaches, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, weaker immune system, chronic inflammation, etc. 

6. You're using substance, sex, or an addiction to cope.

When under stress, we turn to things that are rewarding, numbing, or distracting for comfort — which explains why substance use, sex, and addiction are often used as coping mechanisms for mental health issues. Substance use additionally interferes with many treatments for mental health disorders, complicating the issues even further.

If you are noticing any or a combination of these signs in yourself, a friend, or loved one, it is critical you do not wait to address the issue or try to solve it on your own. Seek professional help as soon as possible in order to have the highest chance of a healthy and quick recovery!