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In the United States, we have a very strong mindset when it comes to mental illness and how we deal with it. It is a self-sufficient mindset that makes us feel like we have to fend for ourselves to solve our problems without any outside help. This can lead to high levels of stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. We need to start to rewire our brains to want to ask for help when we need it and reach out to people that can alleviate that stress or anxiety related to these issues. 

Anxiety is a state of emotion where you have a feeling of uneasiness or a greater sense of worry about things in the future or even in the past. Aside from the emotional responses anxiety can elicit, it can also cause physical symptoms like insomnia, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. If you have any of these symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issues, contact your doctor and they can put you in contact with someone that can help. 

Below there are five tips to help alleviate the stress and anxieties in your daily life: 

• Understanding Why You Don’t Ask for Help 

 If you find yourself worried about not being able to receive help when you are in need, then it may cause you to not seek that help during that time of true need. Persons with anxiety and other mental disorders may feel as though they will be perceived in a negative light or even judged if they ask for help. This can also be an effect of that self-sufficient mindset we discussed earlier on and many believe they can handle it themselves.  

• Benefits of Asking for Help 

The main reason why some people do not ask for help is that some may fear they will be judged for asking for help and look as though they are weak and can’t solve problems on their own. Some people may just not know where to start, and have a hard time processing the emotions that are in front of them. Many people want to be their own problem solvers and more likely than not they cannot solve their problems without at least some outside help. The first step in getting out of that type of hopeless mindset is thinking about the positives and benefits of reaching out for help. You can practice this by even making a list or talking out loud to yourself. This is a great first step in getting yourself comfortable with seeking help. 

• Creating a Support System

Sometimes the first step in asking for help is reaching out to someone you trust, whether that be a family member or a close friend, or a partner. Usually, those people in your life are there to listen to you and are there when you need them. They may not be able to give you advice, but they can push you in the right direction. Sometimes the first step is even to reach out to your doctor and they can recommend mental health professionals in your area that can help you. Therapists and counselors are certified in helping people with their mental health struggles and can help give you tips and tricks to start you on your road to healing. 

• Practice

The idea of asking for help when you need it may not come as naturally to you as it does to others. It may take a lot for you to ask for help in even the smallest of situations. Starting by making yourself comfortable and opening up to the idea of asking for help is the first step into normalizing talking about your emotions with someone that can help. This idea of practice will make it easier for you to reach out and ask for help in situations that are impossible to face alone. 

• The Negatives of Waiting

Playing the waiting game can be detrimental to your overall mental health and well-being. Waiting and not seeking help when you truly need it can make these symptoms and illnesses worse, and can even elicit a snowball effect that can lead to even more serious mental illnesses. Seek help when you need it, whether it be with a mental health professional, your friend, a family member, or from a partner. These people are here to help you and can give you advice on which direction to go in. 

Here at Evans Counseling and Consulting, we have a wonderful team of mental health professionals that can start you on your path toward healing. Contact us and set up an appointment today and get in touch with someone that can help. Let’s work together to help break those stigmas around seeking help, and continue the movement to normalize the importance of mental health.