The news has been delivering a never-ending cycle of fear, corruption, and dread. That stacked with our own personal stuff can be a heavy burden to carry alone. Here are five signs you may recognize in yourself or a loved one that indicate it may be helpful to return to or begin therapy:
1. You find yourself annoyed very easily and verbally snapping at those closest to you.
Sometimes anxiety can present a lot more like anger than fear. We often snap at those we feel safest with and while that is understandable, it is not acceptable. When you start to notice the irritation bubbling up, take a pause and try to breathe in as slowly as you can and then exhale as slowly as you can and wait for the irritation to pass. Emotions come and go like waves, and even when those waves feel very big they are not permanent.
2. It’s getting more difficult to get out of bed in the morning.
It can be difficult for even the most motivated individual to get out of bed. But if you find yourself laying in bed until the last possible moment to get your day started and that behavior has been hanging out for a while, it may be helpful to seek therapy and take a depression screener.
3. You’re experiencing difficulty concentrating at work and completing tasks.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by your to-do list and yet still struggling to get things done it can be a sign of depression. Some find it helpful to sort tasks or break down tasks throughout the week and for others that just isn’t an option. Speaking with a therapist may be helpful to identify the source of the lack of concentration and finding a solution.
4. You’re spending more and more time finding ways to “numb out.”
Numbing can look different for different people. For some that may mean overindulging in alcohol or weed or maybe even food. For others, it can be spending hours after work glued to your phone. A way to notice yourself “numbing out” is to pay attention to how much time you’re spending doing different things and then evaluating if you enjoyed your time or lost track of it.
5. You’ve been telling yourself “I just need to get through this week” for weeks on end.
If you’ve been trudging through each week to the point that you have lost count, that can be a sign of high functioning depression or burnout. Collectively, we have experienced a lot of anxiety, overwhelm, and grief since March 2020 and there has not been a lot of time for rest. It is important to engage with support and carve out that time for you to just take a break.
If you notice some or all of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you may greatly benefit from the extra support of therapy. You do not have to carry all of this alone. Schedule a free consultation here to assess your situation today.
