What are the signs that you need psychological help?

Understanding when to seek psychological help is critical to maintaining mental health and quality of life. In the fast pace of modern life in Calgary, where people face challenges of adaptation, professional stress, economic changes, and social pressures, it is important to be able to recognize warning signs and seek help in a timely manner. In this article, we will look at a detailed list of symptoms and signs that indicate the need for professional psychological support, as well as provide recommendations for immediate action.

Emotional and mood signs

Prolonged mood swings

If you notice that your mood has changed significantly over a period of two or more weeks, this may be a signal to see a psychologist. Such changes include:

Constant sadness or depression: feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or melancholy that do not go away even after positive events.
Increased anxiety: excessive worry, fears, or apprehensions that interfere with normal functioning.
Extreme mood swings: rapid transitions from euphoria to depression, which may indicate bipolar disorder or other serious conditions.

Loss of interest in activities

Anhedonia: complete or partial loss of the ability to enjoy things that previously brought joy.
Social isolation: avoiding meetings with friends, family, or colleagues for no objective reason.
Giving up hobbies: stopping doing favorite activities, sports, or creative pursuits.

Feelings of hopelessness

Pessimistic view of the future: feeling that the situation will never improve.
Low self-esteem: self-criticism, feelings of guilt or inadequacy.
Thoughts of death: even if not directly suicidal, constant thoughts of death or a desire to “just disappear”.

Cognitive and mental signs

Problems with concentration

Difficulty focusing: inability to concentrate on work, study, or daily activities.
Forgetfulness: problems with short-term memory, forgetting important things or appointments.
Confusion: feeling “foggy-headed” when it is difficult to formulate thoughts.

Obsessive or irrational thoughts

Obsessions: repetitive thoughts, images, or urges that are impossible to get rid of.
Catastrophic thinking: a tendency to imagine the worst-case scenarios.
Paranoid ideas: unfounded suspicions or fears about other people.

Physical symptoms

Changes in sleep patterns

Insomnia: difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, or early awakening.
Hypersomnia: excessive need for sleep, constant fatigue even after long periods of rest.
Disruption of the sleep-wake cycle: falling asleep and waking up at the wrong time.

Appetite and weight

Significant weight loss or gain: weight change of 5% or more within a month without conscious effort.
Loss of appetite: complete or partial refusal to eat.
Overeating: compulsive eating as a way to cope with stress.

Somatic complaints

Chronic pain: headaches, back pain, muscle pain without obvious physical causes.
Gastrointestinal problems: nausea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome.
Cardiovascular symptoms: rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain.

Behavioral changes

Decreased functioning

Decreased productivity: decreased work quality or academic performance.
Absenteeism: frequent absences from work, school, or university.
Neglect of responsibilities: inability to perform daily tasks and obligations.

Social behavior

Conflict: increased irritability, aggressiveness in relationships[48].
Avoidance of social contact: refusal to participate in social events, meetings.
Change in communication: becoming more withdrawn or, conversely, overly talkative.

Risky behavior

Substance abuse: increased use of alcohol, drugs, or medication as a form of “self-medication”.
Self-harm: cuts, burns, or other forms of intentional self-harm.
Reckless behavior: ill-considered actions that could lead to injury or legal problems.

Specific signs for different groups

Children and adolescents

Regressive behavior: a return to behavior typical of younger ages.
Problems at school: a sharp decline in grades, conflicts with teachers or classmates.
Changes in play: loss of interest in games or a shift toward more aggressive play.

Middle-aged adults

Life transition crises: difficulty adapting to changes in career, family, or health.
Burnout at work: chronic fatigue, cynicism, feelings of professional inadequacy.
Relationship problems: marital conflicts, difficulties in raising children.

Elderly people

Social isolation: loneliness after the loss of loved ones or retirement.
Fear of death: excessive anxiety about one's own mortality.
Cognitive changes: forgetfulness that causes anxiety about dementia.

When to seek immediate help

Suicidal thoughts or behavior

If you or someone you care about is having suicidal thoughts, planning to harm themselves, or talking about wanting to die, seek help immediately:

988 Canada Suicide Prevention Service – national helpline
403-266-4357 – Calgary Distress Centre (24/7)
911 – in case of an emergency

Psychosis or loss of touch with reality

Hallucinations: seeing or sensing things that are not there.
Delusions: a firm belief in false things, despite evidence to the contrary.
Disorientation: not understanding time, place, or one's own identity.

Threatening behavior

Aggression: threatening or attacking other people.
Self-harm: serious attempts to cause physical harm to oneself.
Dangerous behavior: actions that threaten the safety of oneself or others.

How to assess the severity of symptoms

Duration

If symptoms persist for more than two weeks without improvement, this indicates the need for professional evaluation. For some conditions, such as acute stress or trauma, help should be sought immediately.

Intensity

Assess how much the symptoms affect your ability to function:

Mild impact: some difficulties, but you can still perform basic tasks
Moderate impact: significant difficulties in one or more areas of life
Severe impact: inability to perform basic daily tasks

Context

Consider the circumstances that may have caused the symptoms:

Reaction to stress: a normal reaction to traumatic events
Life changes: adapting to new circumstances
Chronic problems: long-term patterns with no obvious cause

First steps to getting help

Self-assessment

Keep a symptom diary: record your moods, thoughts, and physical sensations throughout the week
Assess your functioning: how symptoms affect your work, relationships, and daily activities
Identify triggers: what makes your symptoms worse or better

Seek professional help

Family doctor: first line of help, can refer you to a specialist
Alberta Health Services: free initial mental health assessment
Private psychologists: list available through the College of Alberta Psychologists
Calgary Counselling Centre: sliding scale fees based on income

Support resources in Calgary

Access Mental Health: 24/7 telephone counseling (403-943-1500)
Mobile Response Team: emergency mental health assistance (through the Distress Centre)
BounceBack Alberta: free online self-help program for mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression

Tips for loved ones

If you notice signs of mental health issues in a loved one:

Listen without judgment: give the person a chance to express themselves
Show support: tell them you are concerned about their condition and are willing to help
Encourage them to seek help: offer to help them find a professional
Don't leave them alone: especially if there is a risk of self-harm
Take care of yourself: supporting another person can be exhausting

Recognizing the signs that someone needs psychological help is the first important step toward recovery. There are numerous support resources available in Calgary, from free government services to private practices. Remember: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Early intervention can prevent deterioration and significantly improve quality of life. If you recognize the symptoms described in yourself or your loved ones, don't delay — professional support can be the beginning of positive changes in your life.

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