Signs You Need a Psychologist

A psychologist is a mental health professional who is trained to identify thought and behavior patterns that stand in the way of a productive, fulfilling life. While a psychiatrist has the authority to prescribe drugs, a psychologist uses some form of talk therapy to help an individual heal from phobias, depression, anxiety or long-standing negative relationship patterns. Some mental health issues can be solved by a self-help book, a productive conversation with a friend or by taking a vacation. For more serious problems, such as recurring thoughts of suicide, an individual should seek professional help.

Clinical Depression

• A career setback, the state of the stock market or even a long stretch of bad weather can have a negative effect on your mood, leading to short-term depression. This is normal. When symptoms of depression become severe or last for unreasonably long periods of time, it's time to seek the help of a professional therapist. Symptoms of depression include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, aches and pains, loss of interest in daily activities, loss of appetite and thoughts of suicide.

Anxiety

• A degree of anxiety can be productive. Feeling anxious before a test can motivate you to study harder. Being anxious while walking through a poorly lit stretch of sidewalk can make you become more alert to danger. When anxiety causes debilitating physical symptoms, or keeps you from fulfilling basic life tasks, such as going to work or interacting with friends, it's time to consider seeking help. Anxiety disorders are often a family trait, and the earliest signs of an anxiety disorder are usually seen in adolescence and early adulthood. Symptoms of anxiety include racing heartbeat, nausea, extreme feelings or fear, insomnia and shortness of breath. If any of these symptoms persist over time or prevent the individual from normal functioning, it's time to seek professional help.

Chronic Relationship Problems

• Tensions between parent and child, husband and wife, boss and employee are a normal and expected, if unpleasant, part of life. If you have a pattern of taking jobs in which you are verbally abused by your supervisor or in romantic relationships in which your partner is unfaithful, these can be signs of a mental health issue requiring professional help. A person in a physically abusive relationship should also seek mental health counseling.

Suicidal Thoughts

• An occasional fleeting thought of death is usually not a cause for concern; however, regular, frequent thoughts of suicide that include having a plan and putting affairs in order are a reason to seek immediate professional help. People at risk for killing themselves include those with a family history of suicide or suicide attempts, people with substance problems or people with a family history of severe mental illness.