How to Know When You Should Seek Help

Deciding you need mental health treatment can feel scary. You know you don’t feel like yourself and you want to feel better, but sometimes it’s hard to admit you need help. The stigma, in the form of misunderstood diagnosis labels and negative language (“crazy”, “psycho”, “loony bin”) that surrounds mental illness and addiction, prevents many people from taking that first step towards recovery. Although more people are talking openly, many still feel a certain amount of shame when they come to the realization that they need help.

How to Tell When You Need Help
You should be evaluated by a mental health professional if you:

• Experience sadness most of the time for several weeks
• Have trouble concentrating, feel like you are thinking too slow, or have racing thoughts
• Experience extreme mood swings
• Have excessive worry, irrational fears, obsessive thoughts or actions
• Feel hopeless or helpless and worry you will never feel better again
• Have a change in sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or too little)
• Have a change in eating habits (eating too much or too little)
• Feel tired, have less energy and have a hard time getting out of bed
• Begin to isolate yourself from others
• Use drugs and/or alcohol to cope with negative feelings
• Experience extreme irritability, anger, and frequent outbursts, sometimes for no reason
• Begin thinking about death or are seriously considering suicide (If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. Tell a loved one, go to a doctor or emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Finding a Mental Health Professional
A variety of professionals can provide mental health services, so understanding the differences between the specialists can help you choose the right one. No matter which one you choose, they all have enough knowledge about the field to refer you to another specialist if they cannot meet your needs.

Psychiatrist – a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has additional training, at least four years, in psychiatry. They are licensed by the state in which they practice. A “Board Certified” psychiatrist has passed the national exam given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Psychiatrists can have additional board certifications in specialized areas such as child and adolescent or addiction psychiatry. A psychiatrist can evaluate and diagnose psychiatric disorders and also prescribe/manage medication and provide psychotherapy.

Psychologist – A psychologist has a doctoral degree, usually a PhD or PsyD, in psychology. They are also licensed by the state. A psychologist provides evaluations, psychological testing and various types of psychotherapies, however they cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists and psychiatrists often work together to treat patients.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – Psychiatric nurse practitioners have an undergraduate degree in nursing and a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP). They are licensed by the state and in some states they are required to work under the supervision of psychiatrists. They can evaluate and diagnose patients as well as prescribe/monitor medications and provide psychotherapy.

Social Worker – Social workers typically have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree and in most states, social workers can take an exam to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). They provide a wide range of services based on their level of education and training. Social workers with a bachelor’s degree typically do case management work (arranging and coordinating services) while those with master’s degrees can conduct psychiatric assessments and provide psychotherapy in addition to case management.

Licensed Counselor – Licensed counselors have a master’s degree in psychiatry or related mental health fields and usually have two years of additional training after graduation. Counselors can evaluate and diagnose mental health disorders and provide counseling services for individuals, families or in group settings. Most states require counselors to be licensed and they can also obtain board certification by The National Board of Certified Counselors.
Once you decide what type of professional you would like to see, it’s time to make an appointment, but how do you choose a person to go to? It can seem like an overwhelming task to just pick a name off of a list. One of the best ways to find someone is to ask for a recommendation. Ask your primary care doctor, OBGYN, or trusted friends and family members.  You can also consult the following professional organizations for recommendations:

• American Psychiatric Association (APA) 
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) 
• American Psychological Association (APA) 
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

Keep in mind that the first person you see may not be the right person for you. If you don’t feel like you connect with the person or you aren’t comfortable, there are many others to choose from.
Mental Health America has compiled a list of resources to help you find mental health services in your community, including affordable treatment for those who don’t have insurance.

Additional Resources
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
National Alliance on Mental Illness
“Seeking Mental Health Care: Taking the First, Scary Step” – PsychCentral
“How to Persuade Your Loved One to Seek Professional Help” – PsychCentral
“5 Sure Signs It’s Time to See a Therapist” – PsychCentral