When should I seek help?
Psychological treatment (both short and longer term) may be beneficial for many kinds of difficulties. Adults as well as Children and Adolescents can benefit from improving their emotional well being and interpersonal functioning.
Making the decision to seek help can be complex, but listed below are some signs that a visit to a Psychologist may be helpful:
Adults: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms that are described below, and they are severe and/or chronic enough to interfere with your ability to function well, then it may be time to seek help from a professional:
Children/Adolescents: If your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms/behaviors that are described below, and they are severe and/or chronic enough to interfere with his/her ability to function well, then it may be time to seek help from a professional:
Children who are not yet school-age could benefit from seeing a developmental or clinical psychologist if there is significant delay in achieving developmental milestones such as walking, talking, and toilet training, and if there are concerns regarding autism or other developmental disorders.
Source: Kidshealth.org
What can you tell me about the effectiveness of psychotherapy? The benefits of therapy have been demonstrated in numerous studies as evidenced by a review of a Consumer Reports Study by Martin Seligman (1995): http://horan.asu.edu/cpy702readings/seligman/seligman.html.
Here are some of Seligman's key findings regarding therapy effectiveness:
Psychological treatment (both short and longer term) may be beneficial for many kinds of difficulties. Adults as well as Children and Adolescents can benefit from improving their emotional well being and interpersonal functioning.
Making the decision to seek help can be complex, but listed below are some signs that a visit to a Psychologist may be helpful:
Adults: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms that are described below, and they are severe and/or chronic enough to interfere with your ability to function well, then it may be time to seek help from a professional:
- feelings of depression, helplessness, hopelessness or excessive self-doubt
- anxiety or panic attacks (sometimes experienced as things seeming out of control)
- lack of self-worth/self-value and/or recurrent self-loathing
- extreme perfectionism and/or relentless preoccupation(s) with how others perceive you
- significant difficulties in setting boundaries and/or taking care of own needs
- extreme dependency on others to make you feel better
- significant anxiety around, and need to, manage/control the feelings and needs of others (a manifestation of codependency)
- difficulty finding meaning or sense of purpose
- extreme difficulty in knowing, tolerating or understanding your own emotions and/or that of others (particularly around feelings of anger or sadness).
- extreme avoidance and inability to tolerate any form of discomfort and/or failure/rejection, specifically around things that involve: learning a new skill; general change or challenges; self-growth; addressing conflict; boundary setting; expressing needs or wants; tolerating emotions, etc.
- decreased energy or enthusiasm for things that used to be satisfying
- emotional "numbness" or social withdrawal
- excessive self-blame, shame and/or guilt
- changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or sleeping too much)
- binge eating, excessive fasting/restricting, and/or obsessive calorie counting and exercise
- excessive need to control and/or obsessive body-image concerns (experienced as never feeling like you look "good enough" and/or obsessions around being "healthy").
- feeling as though you do not belong (experienced as a loss of connection to self and/or others)
- crying easily and more often
- decreased tolerance for stressors that were formerly coped with more readily
- loss of pleasure in activities that were formerly enjoyed
- increased or repeated arguments with family members
- excessive workplace stress or conflicts
- extreme stress related to life changes or transitions- both positive as well as negative
- excessive or chronic anger or irritability directed toward yourself or others
- impulsive or excessive spending, especially after emotionally charged experiences
- chronic sexual problems and/or sexual preoccupation or addiction
- risky and/or dangerous behaviors
- self-injurious behaviors (e.g., cutting or hurting self; lack of regard for self)
- suicidal thoughts or feelings
- substance abuse or dependency in yourself or family members
- obsessive or compulsive behaviors that interfere with daily functioning
- separation or divorce; difficulties in being effective as a parent
Children/Adolescents: If your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms/behaviors that are described below, and they are severe and/or chronic enough to interfere with his/her ability to function well, then it may be time to seek help from a professional:
- developmental delay in speech, language, or toilet training
- significant or unusual learning or attention problems
- significant sensory intolerances (e.g., to certain noises, textures, or touch).
- little to no eye contact (parents often describe this as being unable to "reach" or be attuned to/with their child).
- behavioral problems (such as excessive anger, acting out, bedwetting or eating problems)
- a significant drop in grades, particularly if your child normally maintains high grades
- increased episodes of sadness, tearfulness, or depression
- social withdrawal or isolation
- being the victim of bullying or bullying other children
- decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
- overly aggressive behavior (such as biting, kicking, or hitting)
- sudden changes in appetite and/or friends (particularly in adolescents)
- insomnia or unusual sleepiness
- excessive school absenteeism or tardiness
- excessive mood swings (e.g., happy one minute, upset the next)
- development of or an increase in physical complaints (such as headache, stomachache, or not feeling well) despite a normal physical exam by your doctor
- problems related to management of a serious, acute, or chronic illness
- signs of alcohol, drug, or other substance use (such as solvents or prescription drug abuse)
- problems in transitions (following separation, divorce, or relocation)
- excessive lying
- bereavement concerns
- concerns related to custody evaluations
- concerns related to sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or other traumatic events
- soiling undergarments despite being toilet trained (urinating or defecating in underwear, closet, carpet or location other than household toilet)
- self-injurious behavior (cutting or marking wrists, thighs, or other body parts)
Children who are not yet school-age could benefit from seeing a developmental or clinical psychologist if there is significant delay in achieving developmental milestones such as walking, talking, and toilet training, and if there are concerns regarding autism or other developmental disorders.
Source: Kidshealth.org
What can you tell me about the effectiveness of psychotherapy? The benefits of therapy have been demonstrated in numerous studies as evidenced by a review of a Consumer Reports Study by Martin Seligman (1995): http://horan.asu.edu/cpy702readings/seligman/seligman.html.
Here are some of Seligman's key findings regarding therapy effectiveness:
- Psychotherapy produced positive effects in 92% of respondents.
- People who were active in therapy by being open, asking questions, and following up did better than those who were passive.
- The longer people stayed in therapy, the better their results.
- For most ailments, people in therapy alone did as well as people who had medication plus therapy.
- Respondents who stayed in therapy only until insurance coverage allowed did worse than those who stayed until their concerns resolved.
