[AllyKat]

What is that breaking point? And what systems are in place to help a person down that road?

I'm a 20 year old looking at my life and knowing things aren't quite right in my head. Now, without proffesional diagnosis, I have no clue if I should go see a doc, or if it's a waste of money and time.

Personal Experience or proffesional advice is greatly appreciated but I just really wanna know when it is time to see a shrink?

~AllyKat

I believe that everyone can benefit from seeing a psychotherapist. There is no magic line that has to be crossed to be "worthy" of seeing one. You can see one for many different personal reasons - problems with home life, school, making decisions, financial stress, marital stress, depression/anxiety, etc, etc, etc. You said "things aren't quite right in my head" and you are feeling a little nudge to check things out here. I think that's a good first step and one that is pointing you in the direction to try it out and see if it helps. I don't believe investing time and money in to helping yourself is ever a waste.

[sidony]

Hey, go for it! You've already posted enough of a reason to see a therapist. You don't need to have any particular diagnosis -- therapists can be helpful at transitional points in your life or any time you feel a need for change. I wish I'd gone sooner than I had! If you find it isn't worthwhile you certainly don't have to go back. But many folks -- me included -- will tell you it's the best thing we've done for ourselves!

Sidony

[struggling931]

I think the "time" is whenever it's something that *you* think is important to pursue.

I don't know if there is a distinct line that you have to cross in order to be described as "needing" to see a therapist (which is what it feels like you are asking to me), you could simply make an appointment with one for the purpose of finding out what it's like, what they have to say about where you're at, if it feels helpful and so on (and make the decision about whether to make another appointment later on).

I mean, you might be all worried that you "should" be seeing a therapist and s/he might tell you just need to take a vacation!

(I don't mean to minimize any potential distress you may be experiencing, I'm just trying to point out the possibility that sometimes things turn out differently from what we expect, so it's usually worth exploring them.)

[gimmeice]

((((((((((( AllyKat ))))))))))))))
As long as you find a good therapist I don't it would be a waste of time or money. If you feel like there are things that you need to work on then it is probably time to see a therapist.

[AllyKat]

Thank you everyone! Those are all incredibly insightful answers!

I suppos i just constantly over analyze things and I don't want to make a big fuss or inconvenience any of my family. I know it's childish to associate going to a therapist as meaning you have something wrong with you, but it took my being suicidal to get my mom to even consider taking me to a counselor for 5 weeks, so I never really felt like, unless you had a serious problem, that you should go.

But I appreciate real answers from people who have been there. I'm starting my search for a good therapist, I don't know when or if I'll find one, but I think that is the best course of action right now, and to take it slow.

~Ally

[Fuzzybear]

[Rapunzel]

Don't wait until the breaking point. If you would like your life to be better than it is, give therapy a try. That's what breaking points are, anyway. Most people who become suicidal don't really want to die so much as they need their lives to be different than they are, and are stuck. What they want and need is change and a better life. But we don't have to wait until we run out of options to get help with making those changes.

why not just ask a therapist directly just exactly what you asked here? i mean... they know, right? you don't need to be at a breaking point, or "crazy." Therapists help people figure stuff out. And, a therapist can tell you whether you do need a doctor or an official diagnosis.

if my car wasn't working i'd ask a mechanic if it needed work. If i had pain (well, more than usual for me ) i would ask a doctor. For some reason it's harder to admit and seek help when it's your mind. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you... it really means you're willing to accept help and take care of yourself - bravo!