Finding Mental Health Support in Albuquerque

If the past few years have taught me anything, it’s that we all need support sometimes.  Mental health might be something we try to sweep under the rug, but we shouldn’t.  Mental illnesses should be given the same amount of care as physical ones, and we should prioritize caring for ourselves.  

Part of this might be investing in counseling or therapy.  What are some signs you should find someone to talk to, though, and what can we do to help ourselves?  Keep reading to find out, especially if you’re in the Albuquerque area!  There are options out there for you!

When to Get Help

This is, of course, a bit of a grey area.  I can’t definitively tell you exactly when, since our own personal symptoms can vary when it comes to these disorders.  However, there are some common signals that we shouldn’t ignore.

We will start with anxiety disorders.  The main thing here is experiencing an unusual and heightened feeling of nervousness or restlessness.  If you start to feel like there is impending doom or terror even when you are sitting at home and relaxing, there might be cause for concern.

Remember – I’m not referring to reasonable fear or worry.  Rather, I mean nervousness or tenseness that rules over your life to a large degree.  If it starts to interfere with your daily life or routine, that’s not a good thing.

Next, let’s turn to one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  I’m bringing it up because I experience it, and it’s something that significantly impacts my life every day.  You can learn a bit more about it here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/.

Unfortunately, it has been studied mostly in men and not women, so some of the symptoms may or may not apply to you.  However, the biggest sign is an inability to focus, even on important tasks that you need to get done, or feelings of hyperactivity.  Another sign is impulsiveness, especially when it comes to financials.

One that we hear about a lot is depression and for good reason.  On the severe end of things, someone experiencing this might have thoughts about harming themselves.  A sudden loss of appetite, disinterest in hobbies and activities that you used to enjoy, or a sense of heaviness on your shoulders at all times might be some symptoms you experience.

A surprising amount of people experience depression each year.  It’s nothing to be ashamed of.  Rather, getting help and support from your family and friends is one step to recovery.  However, that shouldn’t be the only thing you do, leading to my next point.

Counseling – why it’s Important

These days, it feels like the words counseling and therapy are thrown around a lot.  It almost devalues these services, as many of us feel it’s just a fad or not actually beneficial.  This couldn’t be more wrong.

You see, investing in counseling services is investing in yourself and your future.  We shouldn’t have to deal with the difficulties of the above disorders (or any I did not mention) all by ourselves.  While our loved ones can give us support, we deserve to have more as well.

A counselor will help you to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you.  They might also refer you to a psychiatrist to get medicine, if applicable.  Perhaps one of the biggest benefits though is the opportunity to explore yourself.

What do I mean by this?  Well, we rarely take the time to evaluate what our personal beliefs, values, and views are.  Talking to a professional allows us a chance to do this in a structured space that is designed for reflection and healing.

Of course, you can also learn how to curb any behaviors that are self-punishing or self-defeating.  A lot of us have coping mechanisms, even if we don’t realize it, but they aren’t always good ones.  For example, if we ignore our feelings and do anything to avoid them, they can bubble up to the surface and eventually explode if we aren’t careful.

Don’t hesitate to seek assistance and support if you need it.  If you’re in Albuquerque, know that there are services near you that you can enjoy.