Are you going through a big change in your life? Sometimes, you can get thrown in ways you could not anticipate. Some of the big changes that people typically struggle with:
- Death of a loved one, or anticipating a death.
- Divorce, the end of a significant relationship.
- Betrayal and loss of trust.
- The arrival of a new baby, and struggles with parenting.
- Moving across the country, or across the world, and starting anew.
- Major illness or injury.
- Job loss.
- Empty nesting.
If you’re feeling teed up, drinking more than usual, struggling to find ways to cope, sunk into a withdrawn state and feeling helpless or adrift, it may be time to seek out therapy.
Therapy can help you manage stress, normalize the reactions you’re having, and point to any precedents that might be related to the reaction you’re having. It can help you navigate difficult transitions. If you’re considering therapy, here are some indicators that it could be right for you:
1. You feel shut off from your intimate partner.
2. You feeling disconnected from your friends and family.
3. You’re struggling to adjust to a new job, school, or living situation.
4. You’re experiencing more than the usual conflict in your relationships.
5. You’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed.
6. You’re drinking or smoking too much as a way to cope, and this is having negative impacts on work and relationships.
If you’re inhabiting emotional states like these, therapy could be of use to you. Major life changes bring about a need for adjustment. There may be a need to grieve, a need to process anger or disappointment, a need to reevaluate your values. It helps to have a grounded and reliable presence by your side in facing a major change, especially when you feel alone and have few people to rely on. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’re having a rough time coming to terms with a major life change.