Well, all these are indicators that you are not alright and should seek help.

• Do you notice a change in your usual schedule and habits? 
• Did you enjoy listening to music but not lately? 
• Has your appetite changed? 
• Are you oversleeping or feeling sleep-deprived? 
• Do you notice a persistent change in your mood?

In the hustle and bustle of a city like Toronto, individuals grapple with mental health struggles. Nearly one-fifth of Toronto’s residents are plagued by a diagnosable mental health concern (Canadian Mental Health Association statistics). Mental health is paramount to overall well-being so it should get attention. 

In today’s era, many people are suffering with anxiety and depression without knowledge of anyone around them. 

According to the WHO report, depression is the single largest contributor to global disability. Society has made strides in acknowledging these silent battles but much more must be done.

Many times, people struggle to reach out for assistance as they lack clarity on therapy options and mental health resources. People need to understand that depression is not a joke or normal stress. In this article, we aim to outline the signs that you can look out for— to help determine whether you or your loved one may be in need of therapy. 

Additionally, we have tried to discuss the therapy options for both anxiety and depression and ways to find the best psychologist in Toronto!

Signs You Need Therapy 

Therapy is a collaborative process between you and a mental health provider. It is the primary step in diagnosing your mental health issue and planning a recovery path. Therapy gives you a safe space to vent your emotions and learn to understand your feelings better. Here are the signs that you need to try therapy:

1. You feel overwhelmed with emotions all the time. You might feel sad, angry, anxious or irritable. If these feelings persist for a longer time, it’s a sign that you should try therapy. Therapy would help you understand and manage your feelings better. 

2. Do you feel negative thoughts creep up all the time and feel insecure about yourself? Do you dwell on these thoughts long and are left unable to go about your daily tasks with the same enthusiasm? Then therapy might help you get out of the self doubt spiral. 

3. Stress is a part of life but is it debilitating your energy and not letting you function normally? Then probably it is time to seek therapy to learn to handle and manage stress better.

4. Are all these issues leading to strained relationships with people who matter to you? Is it leading to arguments, frustration and tears? Then therapy might be your solution to improve your relations as well. 

Understanding therapy options 

Let us look at the therapy for anxiety and depression options that you can try:

Anxiety

It is common for many people globally to have anxiety. Some of the signs you could experience include nervousness, nausea, shortness of breath, or even panic attacks. But an extreme case can be controlled with the right therapy and medications prescribed by a professional. CBT, IPT, PP or ET are considered as effective therapy options for anxiety. 

You can evaluate yourself so as to understand which among the usual therapy options would be ideal for you. A licensed psychologist can also assist you in deciding on which treatment plan would be the most suitable for your treatment. Medication along with therapy is normally used in severe cases of anxiety. 

Depression

Depression is a mental disorder affecting your health. It leads to the continuation of an extremely low mood for an extended period of time. It is known to cause a decrease in appetite, withdrawal from things you used to enjoy as well as anhedonia, which is the feeling of hopelessness. You can try therapy for depression combined by certain medications depending on the patient in question.

Some of the frequent therapy treatments that are considered by the patients suffering from depression include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and MBSR/MFT or Mindfulness Based Therapy options. These options do not apply to every individual. It is not a ‘one size fits all approach’ and before you decide what kind of therapy for depression would be suitable for you, you should ideally discuss it with a therapist.

Self Help Measures to Deal With Anxiety and Depression

If you feel that your stress is getting out of hand further intensifying your anxiety and depression, then you could try out the following recreational activities and self help measures to deal with it in a better manner:

1. Try journaling. Writing down your emotions can help you cope better with it. 

2. Try indulging in some sport or physical activities. This rejuvenates you and releases endorphins which stimulate your mood. 

3. Cut down on fast food and try increasing green leafy vegetables in your diet. 

4. Try learning an instrument or listening to calming music everyday. 

5. If you are feeling irritable you can try doodling as well. 
6. Build Mastery. Try something new (e.g., reading, cooking, working on a crossword puzzle, playing an instrument), practice, and give yourself credit.

While these activities aren’t a treatment for anxiety or depression, you could use them additionally with therapy to alleviate stress in a better manner. 

Finding the best Psychologist in Toronto

To find the best psychologist in Toronto that suits your requirements, you can go about it in the following manner: 

Understand Your Requirements

You need to evaluate yourself on why you require therapy. Try researching the common therapy options that are available and which approach best resonates with you. Try to be clear on your goals that you wish to achieve through therapy. 

Figure out Your Budget

Figure out if your health insurance also encompasses therapy. If not then look up for the fee options and find the therapists you can go for. 

Look for Therapists in Toronto

You can start by contacting your local therapy clinic or looking up online directories. Additionally you can search on the Canadian Psychology Association page. 

Review the Profiles

Most therapists have online websites hosting information about them. You can look those up to understand the experience, qualifications and even the background of the psychologist to see who you would feel the most comfortable with. This is important so that you can share your problems with them with ease. 

Opt for Initial Consultation and Demo Sessions

You could have brief consultations with them just to understand their expertise and their conversation style to see if it suits you. Ask for all the details about the session charge and the number of sessions and the growth metrics they use. 

Wrapping Up

Through this article, we have focused on the significance of mental health with reference to the scenario of Toronto. If you or your close ones experience some issues related to mental health, then this guide will be useful for you. We have briefly touched upon five signs that would signify that one needs to go for therapy and how therapy can provide a solution to such problems. 

Additionally we have tried explaining the common therapy options that one can explore for anxiety and depression. Since every person has a different personality and issues, one needs to evaluate what therapy options would suit them the best, after consulting with the best psychologist in Toronto!

Disclaimer: 

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for personalized guidance. The views expressed are those of the expert and do not replace professional diagnosis or treatment.