It is recommended to see a psychologist when you are experiencing emotional difficulties, psychological distress, or challenging life situations that are significantly impacting your well-being or functioning. This can include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or emptiness, difficulty coping with stress, changes in mood or behaviour, relationship problems, trauma, grief, or when you want to improve self-awareness and personal growth.

There is no single right moment to begin a therapeutic process. Each person experiences their difficulties differently, and what may be manageable for one person can become a significant source of suffering for another.

A good way to know if therapy could help you is to observe if what worries you is affecting different areas of your life:

• Mood.
• Personal relationships.
• Work or studies.
• Rest.
• Motivation.
• Self-esteem.
• Physical health.

If you notice that the discomfort is significantly interfering with your day-to-day life, seeing a psychologist can help you understand what's happening and find strategies to cope.

Recommended reading First visit to the psychologist: what to say, what to expect.

Is my distress enough to seek psychological help?

One of the most frequent doubts is the thought that the problem isn't «that serious» to warrant therapy.

Many people minimise their suffering by comparing it to that of others or believe they should be able to sort it out themselves.

However, mental health doesn't work in terms of extreme severity or a complete absence of problems. There is a broad spectrum between well-being and intense suffering.

The important question isn't whether your problem is serious enough, but:

• Is it affecting you?
• Does it cause you suffering?
• Is it limiting your well-being?
• Would you like to feel better?

If the answer is yes, there is already a valid reason to consult a professional.

Seeking help in a timely manner often facilitates recovery and prevents discomfort from becoming chronic.

Recommended reading  What is the therapeutic alliance?.

Guidance self-assessment: signs that may indicate you need psychological support

The following questions do not replace professional assessment, but can help you reflect on your current situation.

If you frequently identify with several of these, it may be beneficial to consult with a psychologist.

You experience physical symptoms with no clear medical cause.

Our bodies often reflect that which is emotionally difficult for us to express.

Ask yourself:

• Do you suffer from frequent headaches with no medical explanation?
• Do you experience recurrent digestive discomfort?
• Are you constantly feeling tired even though you're resting?
• Do you have any chest tightness or shortness of breath?
• Do you habitually suffer from sleep disturbances?

Stress, anxiety and other emotional problems can manifest physically and significantly affect quality of life.

Recommended reading  What is the therapeutic alliance?.

You experience physical symptoms with no clear medical cause.

Our bodies often reflect that which is emotionally difficult for us to express.

Ask yourself:

• Do you suffer from frequent headaches with no medical explanation?
• Do you experience recurrent digestive discomfort?
• Are you constantly feeling tired even though you're resting?
• Do you have any chest tightness or shortness of breath?
• Do you habitually suffer from sleep disturbances?

L'ansietà è una sensazione di disagio, preoccupazione o paura che può variare da lieve a grave. Può manifestarsi come una sensazione di nervosismo, inquietudine, aumento della frequenza cardiaca, sudorazione o difficoltà respiratorie. L'ansia è una reazione normale a situazioni stressanti, ma quando diventa eccessiva o persistente, può indicare un disturbo d'ansia.

Stress, anxiety and other emotional problems can manifest physically and significantly affect quality of life.

2. You find it difficult to concentrate and stay motivated

Mental health directly influences our ability to think, organise tasks, and make decisions.

Reflect

• Do you get distracted easily?
• Are you finding it difficult to finish tasks that you used to do easily?
• Are you noticing any problems with your memory or concentration?
• Do you feel that any activity requires excessive effort?

Apathy and difficulty maintaining attention can be linked to various emotional problems that warrant attention.

3. You have lost interest in activities you once enjoyed

An important sign is to stop enjoying things that used to bring satisfaction.

Ask yourself:

• Have you given up hobbies or interests that you used to enjoy?
• Do you find it hard to find motivation for enjoyable activities?
• Do you prefer to remain isolated instead of spending time with other people?
• Do you feel like nothing excites you like it used to?

When this loss of interest persists for weeks or months, seeking professional support may be advisable.

What is depression

4. Your emotions seem difficult to control

All people experience intense emotions at certain times. However, when these emotions become overwhelming or frequent, they can lead to significant psychological distress.

Here are some questions that might help you:

• Do you feel sad a lot of the time?
• Do you experience constant anxiety or worry?
• Do you get irritated easily?
• Are you noticing sudden changes in your mood?
• Do you feel like your emotions are overwhelming you?

Psychological therapy can help you develop emotional regulation and stress management tools.

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences.

5. Your personal relationships are being affected

Emotional health directly influences our relationships.

Reflect

• Do you argue more often than before?
• Do you feel misunderstood by the people around you?
• Do you avoid social contact?
• Do you find it difficult to express what you feel?
• Do you rely too much on the approval of other people?

Relationship difficulties are often one of the main reasons for starting therapy.

Do you get drawn into arguments?

6. Have you experienced traumatic or very stressful events?

Some situations leave a deep emotional mark.

For example:

• Abuse or mistreatment.
• Bullying or workplace harassment.
• Gender-based violence.
• Accidents.
• Serious illnesses.
• Situations of abandonment.
• Highly stressful experiences.

Even though years have passed, some experiences can continue to influence how we think, feel, or relate to others.

What is trauma

7. You find it difficult to cope with significant loss

Loss is a part of life, but it's not always easy to process.

It could be:

• The passing of a loved one.
• A romantic breakup.
• Losing a job.
• Major life changes.
• Losing a pet.

When pain remains stuck or significantly interferes with daily functioning, psychological support can be particularly helpful.

The process of grieving.

8. Fears limit your everyday life

Fear is an adaptive emotion, but sometimes it becomes excessive or irrational.

Ask yourself:

• Do you avoid certain situations out of fear?
• Do your worries limit your decisions?
• Are there places, objects, or circumstances that cause you intense anxiety?
• Do you feel that some fears are holding you back in life?

Many phobias and anxiety-related problems respond favourably to psychological intervention.

What are phobias

How to interpret these signs

It's not enough to identify an isolated symptom. To assess whether therapy might be advisable, it's beneficial to observe three fundamental aspects.

valuable information about our needs.

Curiosities: 7 types of anxiety

Duration

How long have you been feeling like this?

A temporary emotional upset usually resolves naturally. However, if symptoms persist for weeks or months, it's worth paying attention.

Frequency

How often do these difficulties occur?

If sadness, anxiety, irritability, or exhaustion appear constantly, they could be indicating the need for professional support.

Intensity

What impact do these symptoms have on your life?

When they significantly affect your relationships, work, studies, or general well-being, it is advisable to consider starting a therapeutic process.

The importance of listening to your emotional distress

There aren't always obvious or visible symptoms for others.

Sometimes suffering is experienced internally:

• Constant feeling of emptiness.
• Demotivation.
• Insecurity.
• Emotional block.
• Feeling lost.
• Difficulty in finding meaning or direction.

Listening to these internal signals and giving them importance is a healthy way to take care of yourself.

You don't need to wait until you hit rock bottom to seek help.

You might want to read: Some tips for switching off

Benefits of attending psychological therapy

Psychological therapy offers a safe space to understand what you're going through and develop resources to cope with it.

Among its benefits are:

• Improving emotional management.
• Reduce anxiety and stress.
• Strengthen self-esteem.
• Improve personal relationships.
• Learn communication skills.
• Overcoming emotional blocks.
• Coping with grieving processes.
• To increase psychological well-being.

Furthermore, therapy is not only useful for problem-solving, but also for fostering personal growth and self-awareness.

You might want to read: Mindfulness curiosities

Psychologist or psychiatrist: which professional do I need?

It is common to have doubts about the difference between both professionals.

Psychologist

The psychologist works through therapeutic techniques aimed at understanding thoughts, emotions and behaviours, helping to develop changes that promote emotional well-being.

Psychiatrist

The psychiatrist is a medical specialist in mental health and can assess the need for pharmacological treatment when it is appropriate.

In some cases, both professionals work in a coordinated manner to offer more comprehensive care.

You might want to read: Am I stressed or anxious?

Psychological therapy in Fuengirola and Mijas

At CALMA Psicólogos, we offer individual psychological attention tailored to each person's needs.

We work with challenges such as:

• Anxiety. (Reading: Anxiety upon waking)
• Depression.
• Stress.
• Self-esteem issues. (Reading: Self-esteem)
• Emotional dependency. (Reading: Do I have a dependent attachment?)
• Duel. (Reading Difficult duel)
• Trauma. (Reading: PTSD)
• Relationship problems. (Reading: Couple)
• Emotional management.

Our aim is to provide a space of trust where you can understand what is happening to you and find tools to help you regain emotional balance.

You might want to read: Am I stressed or anxious?