How to Tell If You Need Professional Help

A trained professional, such as a social worker, counselor or therapist, can help individuals overcome feelings of grief, anger and confusion. These overwhelming feelings are often caused by a number of things, including family disintegration, injury, loss, addiction and abuse. Individuals who question whether or not they need help may benefit from talking to a professional. A professional can help you recognize and overcome the symptoms and causes of repressed emotions and thoughts.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize signs of addiction. Although alcohol and drugs are the most widely recognized addictions, you may be addicted to gambling, sex, food, video games or pornography. If you're having trouble with relationships, employment and emotional stability due to an addiction, you may benefit from professional help.

• 2

  Monitor signs of anxiousness and fear. It's completely normal to feel anxious or afraid at one time or another, but consistent feelings of dread or panic may indicate a post-traumatic stress disorder or a generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety can hinder your quality of life; contact a professional to learn how to manage the symptoms of anxiousness, fear and panic.

• 3

  Get to the root of depression. Depression may be caused by many things, including the loss of a loved one, a breakup of the family unit, loss of employment or stress. However, genetic, biological and environmental factors may contribute to its development. Although it may take time for a therapist to identify the cause of depression, he can help you overcome the feelings associated with the condition. Reach out to a professional immediately if you have thoughts of suicide.

• 4

  Pay attention to signs of unwanted intrusive thoughts and auditory hallucinations. Obsessive thinking and intrusive thoughts may be associated with a number of conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), postpartum depression, anxiety disorder, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. However, intrusive thoughts coupled with auditory hallucinations, such as hearing faint noises or voices, may indicate a disorder such as schizophrenia. A psychiatrist can help identify and treat the causes of these symptoms.