With the world slowly coming back to life due to the coronavirus pandemic, another quiet and unpublicized pandemic has been taking a toll on people everywhere. This pandemic is mental illness.
Research shows that cases of mental illness have been steadily increasing worldwide over the last few years. In fact, for every four individuals, at least one will suffer a mental illness at some point in their life. Therefore, the need to seek mental health help from professionals has never been greater than it is now.
If you don’t know when and how to consult a psychologist Edmonton, this article is for you.
Although help from friends and family can help, these mental illnesses often need extra support from a psychologist. Apart from dealing with mental disorders and treating mental illness, psychologists promote mental well-being.
They can establish the root cause of the problem, enable patients to overcome emotional challenges, and impact their lives with positive changes. With strong mental health, the patients can cope with tough, everyday stressors and reduce the odds of relapsing.
When Do You Need To Consult A Psychologist?
Contrary to most opinions, reaching out to a psychologist is not an admission of weakness but an initiative to change your life. Occasional stress, grief, and sadness are normal feelings, but if they persist or become severe and start interfering with your usual self, you should seek help from a psychologist. Here are reasons why you need to see a psychologist.
Continuous Irritation And Anger
Anger, anxiety, sadness, and irritations are part and parcel of our everyday lives. However, if you have had these feelings for quite some time and they have started affecting your life, it’s essential to consult a psychologist. For instance, being irritated all the time suggests an underlying issue that a psychologist needs to address in a better way.
You Have Digestive Problems And Constant Headaches
If you have lasting and recurrent headaches or digestive problems, the chances are high that you have an underlying mental issue. Like a system, our entire body is designed to function as one. The mind is interconnected with the body. Constant digestive problem is just stress manifesting itself; hence you should see a psychologist.
Decreasing Performance At Work
If lately you have not had the energy or will to report to work, and while at it, your concentration span has been questionable at best, the most likely reason for this shift in mood may be due to mental problems.
Mental illnesses are notorious for causing patients to lose focus and efficiency at work. If you’re constantly being summoned by your boss or reproached by coworkers concerning your work performance, it’s time to see a psychologist.
You Are Under Depression
If you are feeling overwhelmingly hopeless and helpless, you’re most likely depressed. When you’re depressed, you tend to lose interest in things you love. Additionally, you constantly lose control of your emotions and experience fatigue. Contrary to popular assumptions, depression hardly fades away with time.
You can’t just sit and wait for the depression to go away. You need to see a psychologist. They will help you identify the root cause of the depression, which is often the first step to recovery. Also, they will find ways to eliminate your negative thought processes.
How Do You Consult A Psychologist
Seeing a psychologist doesn’t require you to have a referral from your doctor. That’s because, unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not prescribe medication. To find a psychologist, you can reach out to a mental health treatment facility and book an appointment. You can also find your state’s psychological association by searching the internet.
That way, you can consult a psychologist based on their specialty and location. Another effective way you can find a psychologist is through friends and family referrals. However, you need to ask why they would prefer that recommended psychologist to handle your problems.
You can also get referrals by calling a University or a College counseling center near your location. These centers often refer students with personal issues to private practitioners; therefore, they tend to have a list of excellent psychologists.
The psychologist should be someone you trust– someone you can freely express your pain and suffering too. In essence, they should provide an environment of trust, full of empathy, and listen to your problems in a non-judgemental manner.