How to Know When to Ask for Help with Mental Health

Almost 20% of U.S. adults struggle with mental health issues, meaning nearly 50 million Americans need mental health support each year. But almost half (54.7%) don’t get the help they need…maybe because traditional insurance policies require patients to demonstrate "medical necessity" to get coverage. That is, your symptoms have to be so severe, you can’t function normally.

So what if your symptoms don’t interfere with your daily routine, but you still struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, or even mild to moderate depression? How do you know when to seek support–and avoid reaching a crisis point?

Here are some examples of when it may be time to get help with mental health, and how a therapist can assist you in managing life’s challenges.

When to Seek Professional Help for Mental Health

1 - You’re Noticing Aches, Pains, or Other Physical Changes

Often, some of the first signs of mental health issues are physical. If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to think about getting mental health help:

Grinding Your Teeth and/or Clenching Your Jaw

Do you find yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, especially at night? These can be signs of stress and anxiety, and can lead to headaches and other dental problems. A therapist can help you get to the root of your anxiety and give you the tools to cope with your stress more successfully. 

Frequent Headaches

Stress can trigger tension headaches or even migraines. If you're experiencing more headaches than usual, it may be a sign you’re under too much stress.

Stomach Issues

Stress can also cause digestive issues, such as heartburn, stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea. If you're experiencing these symptoms without a medical explanation, they may be related to stress.

Appetite Changes

Stress can affect your appetite in different ways. You might lose your appetite, turn to food for comfort and overeat, or crave sugary or snack foods as a way to cope.

Sleep Problems

Stress can interfere with your sleep in a number of ways. You might find yourself lying in bed with racing thoughts, struggling to fall asleep, waking up repeatedly throughout the night, and/or feeling tired during the day. 

If you’re experiencing any of the above physical issues, a therapist can help you get to the root of your anxiety, develop skills to address it, and ultimately improve your overall well-being.

2 - You’re Noticing Emotional Changes 

Perhaps the most obvious signs of excessive stress, emotional changes like low mood or energy can be an indication that it’s time to seek mental health support. Here are some common signs to look out for:

Things That Used to Give You Pleasure No Longer Do

Do you find yourself not enjoying things you used to like doing? This can be a sign of depression or other challenges related to mental health.

You’re Anxious, Excessively Worried, or Fixating on Things

Frequently worrying, feeling nervous, or ruminating on things to the point where it interferes with your ability to relax and enjoy life may be a sign of anxiety.

Socializing is a Drag 

Do you find yourself avoiding social situations or feeling drained after socializing? This could be a sign of social anxiety or depression.

You Don't Have the Energy to Do Anything After Work

Feeling too exhausted to do anything other than work, or as though you’re just going through the motions of life? These could be signs of depression or burnout.

You’re Feeling Low, Depressed, Unmotivated, or Unable to Concentrate

Do you feel sad or hopeless most of the time? Is it hard to concentrate or find motivation to do things you need or want to do? These can also be signs of depression.

You’re Often Irritable

Being easily irritated or snapping at others can be symptoms of anxiety or depression.

If you’re experiencing any of the above emotional changes, talking with a licensed mental health therapist can help you develop coping skills to start feeling better–before your anxiety, depression, or low energy get intense enough to interfere with your daily life.

3 - You’re Going Through a Life Change

Life changes can be both exciting and stressful. Here are some common ones with which you could benefit from a therapist’s support:

Becoming a Parent for the First Time

Becoming a parent is a major life change that can bring about a range of emotions. While it's natural to feel excited and happy, it's also common to experience anxiety, stress, and even depression. 

Going Through a Divorce

Divorce can be a painful and stressful experience, even if it's amicable. It can trigger feelings of grief, anger, and anxiety. 

Experiencing Grief and Loss

Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. Grief can stir up a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and loneliness. If you're struggling to cope with the loss of a parent, friend, or loved one, a therapist can help you work through your grief and find ways to honor your loved one's memory.

Starting a New Job or Career 

Starting a new job or making a career change can be both exciting and stressful. It can bring about feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and self-doubt. 

If you're going through a life change and struggling to cope, a mental health professional can help you process your emotions and build resilience, resulting in a smoother, less stressful transition.

4 - You’re Noticing Unhealthy Habits

Often, when we engage in unhealthy habits like excessive drinking, smoking, or overeating, we’re attempting to cope with challenging emotions. And while these habits may provide temporary relief, they can ultimately worsen your mental health and lead to additional problems. 

Here are some common situations that can indicate a need for mental health support: 

Excessive Substance Use or Eating

If you find yourself using drugs, drinking, or overeating to cope with your emotions, it's important to seek mental health help. Substance abuse and binge eating can lead to addiction, physical health problems, and worsening mental health symptoms. 

Excessive Spending

Compulsive shopping can be a sign of mental health issues and lead to financial problems, as well as worsening mental health symptoms. 

If you’re struggling with any of these unhealthy habits, a therapist can help you uncover the underlying issues that drive your behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms. This can help you not only make healthier choices but feel better over all.

5 - You’re Dealing with Trauma

We all have some sort of trauma in this day and age–even if it’s not what you’d consider a major, capital-T-trauma. Here are some common situations that may mean it’s time to seek help with mental health:

Covid-19 Trauma

The Covid-19 pandemic has created lasting stress, uncertainty, and anxiety for many people, as well as grief and loss if you or someone you know was affected. 

Social or Political Trauma

Many of us are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or hopeless due to recent social and political events. Therapy can provide you with a safe space to process these emotions and develop effective ways to navigate these challenging topics.

Financial Trauma or Stress

Money problems can take a toll on your well-being. If you're struggling to make ends meet, facing debt, or dealing with job loss, a therapist can help you manage your stress and develop a sound plan of action for the future.

Relationship Issues 

Relationship issues or family conflict can add stress and anxiety to your daily life. A therapist can help you work through your emotions and find new, healthy ways to navigate these challenges.

Health Concerns

If you’ve received a diagnosis or are otherwise worried about your health, therapy can offer a supportive and non-judgmental environment to address any associated anxiety.

As a solutions-focused therapy service, Nice’s mental health team tends to focus on issues that you’re going through currently, as opposed to significant, unresolved childhood trauma. But if you have ongoing or deep-seated trauma, thoughts of suicide, patterns of self-harm, or a mental health diagnosis like bipolar or other personality disorder, Nice can still support you in finding a more specialty treatment option to help you best address your needs.

Getting Mental Health Help is Easy with Nice

Getting mental health support can be tough, but seeking help is a sign of strength. At Nice, our therapists are trained to help you manage a variety of mental health issues and provide you with short-term, solution-focused therapy–often resulting in an improvement in symptoms in as little as three months. That’s because we focus on coping skills and identifying negative thought patterns to help you make practical changes that make a big difference, quickly.

Even if you have insurance, finding an affordable, in-network therapist can be very challenging. But with Nice, you can simply schedule a virtual visit with one of our friendly clinicians, who can refer you to our mental health therapy team to get you the support you need–before your symptoms interfere with your day-to-day life.

No matter what stressors you're facing, Nice is here to offer support and guidance every step of the way. 

If you’re an employer interested in offering mental health support to your staff, visit our employer page to learn more.