5 Signs It's Time to See a Therapist (Not Just 'Tough It Out')
We've all heard it before: "Just push through." "You'll be fine." "Everyone goes through hard times."
And yes, everyone does go through hard times. Struggling doesn't automatically mean you need therapy. But there's a real difference between normal stress that you can manage on your own and the kind of struggle that needs professional support.
In Southern Ohio, there's a strong culture of self-reliance. People here are used to handling things themselves, not asking for help, and definitely not admitting when they're struggling. That mindset works great for a lot of things—until it doesn't.
The truth is, knowing when to see a therapist isn't about being weak. It's about being honest with yourself about what's working and what isn't.
If you're reading this and wondering whether therapy might help, here are five signs that it's time to reach out—not just tough it out.
Sign 1: You're Struggling to Get Through Normal Daily Activities
Life has always had its demands—work, family, responsibilities, basic self-care. You've managed before. But lately, things that used to be automatic now feel overwhelming.
What this looks like:
Getting out of bed feels impossible, even after a full night's sleep
Basic tasks like showering, eating, or responding to texts feel exhausting
You're calling off work more often or barely making it through the day
Household chores are piling up because you can't find the energy
You're isolating yourself and canceling plans you used to enjoy
Why this matters:
When depression, anxiety, or stress start interfering with your ability to function in daily life, that's a clear signal that what you're dealing with has moved beyond "just a rough patch."
You might tell yourself, "I just need to try harder" or "I'm being lazy." But struggling with basic functioning isn't a character flaw—it's often a symptom of something that therapy can help address.
The tough-it-out approach says: Just push through and force yourself to do it.
The reality is: If willpower alone could fix this, you would have already done it. Depression and anxiety don't respond to "just try harder." They respond to treatment.
Sign 2: Your Coping Strategies Are Making Things Worse
Everyone has ways they cope with stress. Some are healthy—exercise, talking to friends, taking a break. Others... not so much.
What this looks like:
Drinking more than you used to, or drinking alone to numb feelings
Using substances (prescription or otherwise) to get through the day
Binge eating, restricting food, or using food to manage emotions
Sleeping too much to avoid dealing with life (or not sleeping at all)
Engaging in risky behaviors—driving recklessly, picking fights, spending impulsively
Self-harm or thinking about it
Withdrawing from everyone and refusing all support
Why this matters:
Unhealthy coping mechanisms create a cycle: you feel bad, you use the behavior to feel better temporarily, then you feel worse because of the consequences, so you use the behavior again.
This isn't about judgment. When you're overwhelmed and don't have better tools, you use what's available. But if your coping strategies are creating new problems—relationship damage, health issues, financial stress, legal trouble—it's time to learn healthier ones.
The tough-it-out approach says: Just stop doing the thing. Use willpower.
The reality is: You're using these behaviors because they're serving a purpose (even if they're harmful). Therapy helps you understand what you're actually trying to cope with and gives you better tools that don't come with devastating side effects.
Sign 3: People in Your Life Keep Telling You Something's Wrong
Sometimes we're the last ones to notice how much we've changed.
What this looks like:
Your partner, family, or close friends have expressed concern about your mood or behavior
People say things like "You haven't been yourself lately" or "I'm worried about you"
Coworkers or managers have mentioned changes in your performance or attitude
Multiple people have suggested you might benefit from talking to someone
You're getting feedback that you're more irritable, withdrawn, or unpredictable than usual
Why this matters:
When you're in it, it's hard to see the full picture. The people around you have perspective you might not have right now.
It's easy to dismiss: "They're overreacting." "They don't understand." "I'm fine."
But if multiple people who care about you are noticing the same changes, that's worth paying attention to. They're not trying to label you or make you feel bad—they're seeing something you might be too close to see clearly.
The tough-it-out approach says: Everyone else is the problem. They need to back off.
The reality is: The people who know you best can often see warning signs before you can. Their concern isn't criticism—it's care.
Sign 4: You've Been Feeling This Way for Weeks or Months (Not Just Days)
Bad days happen. Bad weeks happen. Everyone experiences sadness, anxiety, anger, or stress sometimes. That's being human.
But when those feelings don't lift—when weeks turn into months and you can't remember the last time you felt okay—that's different.
What this looks like:
You've been anxious, depressed, or irritable for more than two weeks straight
The feeling persists even when external stressors improve
You can't pinpoint a specific cause, or the original cause has passed but you still feel awful
You've tried the usual things (rest, exercise, talking to friends) and nothing helps
You're starting to think "This is just how life is now"
Why this matters:
Temporary emotional responses to difficult situations are normal. Persistent symptoms that don't improve on their own are not.
Clinical depression and anxiety disorders don't just go away because you wait them out. In fact, untreated mental health conditions often get worse over time, not better.
The tough-it-out approach says: Give it more time. You'll snap out of it eventually.
The reality is: If it's been months and you're not improving, you're not going to suddenly "snap out of it" without help. Therapy provides the tools and support to actually get better, not just wait and hope.
Sign 5: You're Having Thoughts That Scare You
This is the big one. If you're experiencing thoughts about harming yourself or others, that's not something to tough out. That's an emergency.
What this looks like:
Thinking about suicide or wishing you weren't alive
Making plans or researching methods of self-harm
Thinking "Everyone would be better off without me"
Fantasizing about hurting someone else
Intrusive thoughts about violence that won't go away
Feeling like you can't trust yourself to stay safe
Why this matters:
These thoughts are symptoms of a mental health crisis. They don't make you a bad person, but they do mean you need immediate help.
If you're having thoughts of suicide:
Call 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) right now
Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
Go to your nearest emergency room
Call a trusted friend or family member and tell them what's happening
The tough-it-out approach says: These are just thoughts. You can handle this alone.
The reality is: Suicidal thoughts are a medical emergency, just like chest pain or difficulty breathing. You wouldn't tough out a heart attack. Don't tough this out either.
Even if you're not at the crisis point but you're having scary or intrusive thoughts that won't go away, therapy can help you understand and manage them before they escalate.
What If You're Not Sure?
Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "I have some of these signs, but not all of them" or "My situation isn't that bad."
Here's the thing: you don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Therapy isn't just for people who are falling apart. It's also for people who:
Are going through a major life transition (divorce, job loss, grief, becoming a parent)
Want to improve their relationships
Are dealing with past trauma that's affecting their present
Feel stuck and want to make changes but don't know how
Want to understand themselves better
Are functioning but not thriving
If you're wondering whether you should see a therapist, that question itself is often a sign that you could benefit from it.
You don't need to meet some threshold of suffering to deserve support. If something in your life feels off and you want help figuring it out, that's reason enough.
Common Reasons People Avoid Therapy (And Why They Don't Hold Up)
"I should be able to handle this on my own."
You probably could eventually figure some of it out on your own—just like you could teach yourself calculus or fix your own car engine. But why suffer longer than necessary when professional help exists?
Therapy isn't admitting defeat. It's choosing the most effective path to feeling better.
"Therapy is for people with serious problems."
Therapy is for anyone who wants to improve their mental health, just like the gym is for anyone who wants to improve their physical health. You don't have to be sick to get healthier.
"People will think I'm weak or broken."
The people in Wheelersburg, Portsmouth, and Southern Ohio who are going to therapy aren't broadcasting it, so you don't know how many of your neighbors, coworkers, and friends are already getting help.
Also: choosing to address your mental health takes strength, not weakness.
"I can't afford it."
Many therapists accept insurance, including Medicaid. Some offer sliding scale fees based on income. The cost of not treating anxiety, depression, or trauma—in terms of lost work, damaged relationships, and physical health problems—is often much higher than the cost of therapy.
"I don't want to take medication."
Therapy and medication are different things. Many therapists (including licensed social workers and counselors) don't prescribe medication at all. Therapy is about talk, coping skills, and processing—not necessarily pills.
If medication does become part of the conversation, you're always in control of that decision.
"Nothing will help anyway."
This thought itself is often a symptom of depression, which makes everything feel hopeless. The research is clear: therapy works. It won't fix everything overnight, but it does help the majority of people who engage with it.
What Happens If You Keep Toughing It Out?
Ignoring mental health symptoms doesn't make them go away. Here's what actually happens:
Physical health declines: Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression take a toll on your body—weakened immune system, high blood pressure, digestive issues, chronic pain.
Relationships suffer: When you're struggling, it affects how you show up for the people you care about. Irritability, withdrawal, and emotional unavailability damage connections.
Work performance drops: It's hard to focus, stay motivated, or do your best work when you're barely holding it together mentally.
The problem gets worse: Untreated mental health conditions tend to worsen over time. What starts as manageable anxiety can become debilitating panic. Situational sadness can become clinical depression.
You lose time: Every month you spend suffering is a month you could have spent feeling better, enjoying life, and being present for what matters.
Toughing it out has real costs. Getting help does too—but the investment pays off.
How to Take the First Step
If you recognize yourself in these signs, here's what to do next:
1. Acknowledge that you're struggling. Just admitting "I need help" is huge, even if you only say it to yourself.
2. Reach out to a therapist. You can call, email, or fill out a contact form. You don't need to have everything figured out—just say "I'm struggling and I'd like to schedule an appointment."
3. Show up to your first session. That's it. You don't have to commit to months of therapy right away. Just show up once and see how it feels.
4. Be honest. The more honest you are about what's really going on, the more your therapist can help.
5. Give it time. Therapy isn't a magic fix. It takes a few sessions to see progress. Stick with it.
You Don't Have to Keep Struggling
If you're in Wheelersburg, Portsmouth, or anywhere in Southern Ohio, Wildflower Wellness Group is here to help.
Our therapists—Sarg Engle, Mindy Haaf, and Josh Adkins—specialize in helping people who've been toughing it out finally get the support they need. We treat anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and life transitions with compassion and evidence-based approaches that actually work.
We offer both in-person therapy at our Wheelersburg office and secure online sessions. We accept most insurance plans and work with you to make therapy accessible.
You don't have to hit rock bottom to deserve help. You don't have to keep suffering alone.
Contact Wildflower Wellness Group today:
Call or text: 740-301-1039
Email: info@wildflowerwellness.org
The hardest part is reaching out. After that, we'll help you with the rest.
Wildflower Wellness Group provides licensed mental health therapy in Wheelersburg, Ohio, and surrounding areas. Our therapists help clients recognize when it's time to stop toughing it out and start getting real support for anxiety, depression, trauma, and life's challenges.
