How do you know if you need counselling?

This is hard to explain. I spend a lot of time convincing myself I’m OK, and making sure other people think so too. In a weird, fake it til you make it way, it kinda works. But sometimes it really doesn’t. I get overwhelmed from 2 fronts: the weight of everything awful that people do to each other in the world in general, and the anxiety of having to deal with my own life. I get stressed about all the annoying things I have to get done but don’t have the energy for, and miss out on doing the things I want to do. It fills my head with noise and stops me writing stories which is my major passion. I have this dream to write a few books and become a full-time author, but it feels so out of reach when my creativity is being drained away.

But… I’ve never done anything dangerous, I’ve never self-harmed or had suicidal thoughts. My job stresses me out but I have supportive coworkers. My friends and family are far away but we talk online, and I live with my long term partner who is awesome and tries to help me accept my feelings even though it upsets me and I hate talking about it.

So I don’t know. I feel like I’m just being whiny with my first world problems. Last week I wished I had a mild form of cancer so I could get a few months off work. I have no idea how unusual that could be because people don’t talk about that kind of stuff. I’d be grateful to get some opinions.

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Penny

4 Answers

To your question: It's different for everyone, but it's usually when something emotional or mental interferes significantly in your everyday life, or before it gets to this stage so you can prevent it from getting worse.
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To what you really want to know: You could probably benefit from some counseling. I can't diagnose you, but there's some kind of underlying problem that needs to be addressed, and probably by a Psychologist or a physical doctor, not just a counselor. It's obviously inferring with your life, and that's really when you really should go talk to someone. It could be a physical problem, not an emotional one as well. There is a wide range of things that can cause your issue.
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You should go get that in-depth check up with your local doctor, blood test, everything, the works, and if everything turns up positive from that, then I would suggest you find a local psychologist, which can be done easily through Google.
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Good luck, and I hope you find and solve your issue.

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Jess

2,717

Sounds t me there is underlying issues,unresolved perhaps.It would be a good idea if you spoke to someone who is a professional so they can give you the best ways to move on in a better light,not thinking all the time the way to do.
If you dont know how to approach some one face to face why not hop on the pc and see if there is any one you can call.As there are numbers for teens,there must also be numbers for adults where you live.May be it will be all you need to start feeling better,more at peace!.
Good luck!

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Anonymous

630

If you feel as if you need help, seek it. :)

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Staceylou

967

Reading your words is like i've written this exact thing down previously, and am now reading it back. To find someone who has the same daily struggles as I do, I thought was a rare thing. Not so much your thoughts about the general world, but the anxiety you feel in dealing with your own life I can understand 110%. I can't give you an answer to your problems (as would have solved mine a long time ago) but I can say don't feel like you're being whining about things and that nobody wants to listen to them! Your mental health is important, and even though I may not know you, for someone who so clearly mirrors myself is worrying, and I feel like I want to listen to you vent about your problems, so then at least you have someone to moan about them too! That is the sole reason I sought out this website, too. I have never really voiced any of my problems or thoughts and I know it's taken a real toll on my mental health and general well being. If you ever want to vent to me about your worries anytime just let me know, and i'll probably return the favour haha. x

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Roselover