When Should You Seek a Mental Health Professional for Overwhelming Stress? | Safe and Sound

Modern life with work, financial, family and social pressures makes many people fall into a state of prolonged stress. A little pressure can help you concentrate and work more effectively, but if the stress is too much and prolonged, it can seriously affect your mental and physical health. So how do you know when stress is out of control? When should you seek help from a psychologist? 

Ngo Thi Sang | Master of Educational Psychology – Applied mental health care Safe and Sound

Institute of Medical Technology Applications

1. Signs that you are too stressed

Signs that you are stressed out

Stress is not just a fleeting feeling, if it lasts for a long time, it can have a negative impact on your psychology, health and daily life. Here are some signs that you are falling into a state of excessive stress and may need help from a psychologist:

- Feeling constantly tired, even after resting: Are you getting enough sleep but still feeling exhausted? Chronic stress can put your body in a constant state of "fight or flight", leading to excessive energy consumption and a feeling of constant fatigue.

- Mood swings, irritability or loss of emotional control: When stress becomes severe, you may feel frustrated, easily angered or even cry for no reason. This affects personal and work relationships.

- Difficulty concentrating, constant negative thinking: Excessive stress causes the brain to function less effectively, leading to reduced concentration, memory loss, negative thoughts, and pessimism about the future.

- Insomnia or poor sleep: When you are stressed, your brain has difficulty relaxing, leading to insomnia or restless, shallow sleep. Psychologists say this increases the feeling of fatigue the next day, creating a vicious cycle that makes the situation worse.

- Feeling helpless, losing motivation: If you feel uninterested in anything, whether it's work or previous hobbies, it could be a sign that stress is seriously affecting your psychology.

- Unexplained physical problems: Stress not only affects the mind but also causes many physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure or muscle aches without a clear cause.

If you experience many of the above symptoms for a long time and have tried to self-regulate but to no avail, it may be time to consider seeing a psychologist to find a suitable solution.

2. When do you need to see a psychologist?

When do you need to see a psychologist?

Many people tend to tolerate stress alone and think that "everything will be fine". However, if stress persists without being dealt with, it can lead to more serious psychological problems such as anxiety, depression or sleep disorders. Here are some situations you should not ignore:

- When you can't control stress : If you've tried changing your lifestyle, getting enough rest, exercising, and eating healthy, but still feel mentally overwhelmed, consider seeing a psychologist. They can help you find the root cause and show you how to manage stress more effectively.

- When stress seriously affects your work and life: You feel unable to do your job well, lose motivation to perform daily activities, or constantly have problems in relationships. These are clear signs that your psychology is being negatively affected and needs support.

- When you have excessive negative thoughts: If you constantly feel hopeless, have negative thoughts about yourself or even think about harming yourself, immediately seek help from a psychologist. This is a serious sign and should not be taken lightly.

- When the body reacts strongly to stress: Do you feel a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, stomach pain, persistent headaches, or other symptoms that your doctor cannot find a specific cause for? This may be the way your body is reacting to psychological stress. A psychological evaluation can help you get to the root of the problem.

- When you can't talk to anyone: If you feel like there's no one to listen or you're afraid of being judged when you share your difficulties, a psychologist can help you confide in them without judgment. They can help you see the problem from a different perspective and offer appropriate solutions.

3. How can psychological testing help you?

Psychological examination will help identify and understand the problem.

Seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist doesn't mean you're "weak" or "troubled." Instead, it's a smart way to protect your mental health. Here are some of the benefits of seeing a psychologist:

- Identify and understand the causes of stress: A psychologist will help you find the root of your stress and guide you on how to deal with it in a healthy way.

- Learn how to manage stress effectively: Instead of letting stress overwhelm you, you will be guided through relaxation techniques, emotional management, and controlling stressful situations.

- Improve sleep and physical health: When your mind is stable, your sleep will be better, thereby helping you restore energy and reduce negative effects on your body.

- Improved quality of life: When stress is controlled, you will find work, relationships and life in general become easier and more enjoyable.

If you find yourself in need of professional help, start by finding a trusted counseling center or service. You can choose to have face-to-face or online counseling, depending on your situation and comfort level. Most importantly, be open to sharing and accepting guidance from a professional. 

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