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Managing Your Mental Health: It Is Okay to See a Therapist

by | Apr 6, 2021 | Features, fitness, Life

Throughout the years, there has been a great deal of stigma surrounding mental health and therapists. This is especially true for people in communities of color.

Stress, conflict, anxiety, depression and mood disorders can be difficult to tackle on your own. If left untreated, poor mental health can lead to substance abuse, family problems, job loss and suicide.

That’s why managing your mental health must be one of your top priorities. Scheduling an appointment with a licensed therapist can improve your quality of life.

How a Licensed Therapist Can Help

A licensed therapist can provide you with the resources to help you overcome mental and emotional challenges. Therapy offers a judgment-free space that allows you to share anything that is on your mind. You can talk about your job, childhood, past traumas, relationships and physical health.

Some of the benefits of talk therapy include:

  • Improve Your Communication Skills
  • Learn Coping Skills
  • Make Healthier Choices
  • Gain a New Perspective
  • Deal With Repressed Emotions
  • Get Feedback

Reasons You Might Want to See a Licensed Therapist

1. You feel sad most of the time.

It’s okay to feel unhappy at different times during your life. However, you should consider seeing a therapist if you experience prolonged sadness or depression. Regardless of your mental state, a therapist can help you deal with the source of your sadness.

2. Medical tests haven’t been able to determine the cause of your physical ailments.

It’s possible that you’ve undergone medical tests, and your doctor has not been able to define your medical condition. You should know that there is a connection between specific physical symptoms and mental disorders like anxiety and stress. In instances where medical tests return undetermined, it could be a sign that your physical problem is caused by emotional distress.

3. You’re getting negative feedback at work.

Changes in your productivity, focus and concentration can affect your career. Maintaining a healthy mindset is essential for building positive relationships and making good decisions at work. If you are receiving negative feedback about your job performance, it may be a good idea to discuss it with a mental health professional.

4. Your intense emotions get easily triggered by people and circumstances.

Potential emotional triggers are all around you. These include events, memories, experiences and people that cause an intense reaction from you.

Internal signs that you are experiencing an emotional trigger include:

  • Muscle Tension
  • Sudden Anger
  • Feelings of Abandonment, Overwhelm or Vulnerability
  • Physical Pain
  • Hopelessness
  • Disconnection From Reality
  • Flashbacks From Previous Events
  • Daydreaming
  • Confusion

5. You’re using substances to cope.

Do you find that the only way to manage your feelings is by drinking alcoholic beverages or taking drugs? Then you may be using substances to deal with uncomfortable emotions. A licensed therapist can walk you through these unprocessed emotions and help you find better tools to cope with your problems.

Seeing a therapist is nothing to be ashamed of. Not only can talking about your problems improve your outlook, but it can also boost your job performance. If you have a few things that you would like to get off your mind, find a licensed professional who can help you.

About Corporate Counsel Women of Color

At Corporate Counsel Women of Color, our mission is to help women of color thrive in the legal profession. Join our network of over 4,500 women to build professional relationships and get access to career growth strategies.

Looking for resources to help you manage your mental health? These books can help.

  • The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
  • Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
  • It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn

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