Do I need to see a Psychiatrist?
Where do I begin?
Deciding whether to see a psychiatrist depends on the severity and impact of your mental health struggles. You might benefit from seeing a psychiatrist if you experience:
Persistent anxiety or depression- if feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or excessive worry interfere with your daily life, work, or relationship. You may also notice you feel frequently overwhelmed, on edge, or trapped in a cycle of worry. These feelings may persist for weeks or months.
Difficulty managing stress or indecision- if overthinking and self-doubt keep you from making decisions, leading to emotional distress or career stagnation. This can also entail excessive guilt, self-criticism, or feelings of worthlessness even when things seem objectively fine.
Physical symptoms of mental health issues- such as fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, or trouble sleeping that aren’t explained by medical conditions
Unmanageable mood swings or irritability- frequent emotional ups and downs that affect your work or personal relationships
Difficulty concentrating or feeling motivated- struggling to stay focused, meet deadlines, or find motivation, even in things you once enjoyed
Previous therapy hasn’t been enough- if you’re tried counselling or therapy but feel like you’re not making progress, you may need a psychiatrist’s expertise, including possible medication options
Signs you’re struggling at work
The decision to see a psychiatrist can be especially challenging for young professionals who may attribute their struggles to work stress, high expectations, or temporary burnout. Clouding the picture can be the reality of very demanding work in the corporate setting. However, persistent mental health challenges can significantly impact performance, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
Persistent anxiety that affects work performance: anxiety is normal in high-pressure jobs, but excessive or persistent anxiety can interfere with decision-making, productivity, and confidence
Paralyzing overthinking: you spend hours rewriting emails or preparing presentations, afraid of making a mistake. Even after sending a simple email, you ruminate over whether you worded it correctly
Fear of speaking up: you avoid speaking in meetings, even when you have valuable input, due to fear of judgement or being “wrong”
Difficulty handling criticism: a minor critique from your manager sends you into a spiral of self-doubt, making you question your abilities
Physical symptoms at work: before big meetings or deadlines, you experience headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, or trouble breathing
Indecision and fear of making mistakes (analysis paralysis): young professionals often struggle with decision-making, but if fear of making the wrong choice prevents you from taking action, it could harm your career progression
Delaying important decisions: you procrastinate on assignments because you feel like you need to gather “just a little more information” to make the “best” choice
Delegation issues: You struggle to delegate tasks, fearing that no one else will do it perfectly, leading to burnout from taking on too much
Missed opportunities: You’re offered a promotion or new role but hesitate for weeks, worrying about whether you’ll succeed or fail
Work stress leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion: stress is common in demanding jobs, but prolonged stress that leads to mental and physical exhaustion could indicate burnout or an underlying mental health condition
Loss of passion: work you once enjoyed now feels meaningless, and you dread starting each day
Irritability with colleagues: small frustrations, like a coworker asking a simple question, trigger outbursts of irritation
Physical fatigue: no matter how much you rest, you feel exhausted and unmotivated. You find yourself zoning out during meetings
Withdrawal: you avoid social events, calls, or interactions, feeling disconnected from your team
Imposter syndrome and perfectionism interfering with growth: feeling like a fraud or believing that your success is due to luck rather than skill can prevent you from advancing in your career
Downplaying your achievements: even after receiving praise or a promotion, you feel like you don’t truly deserve it
Overworking to prove yourself: you take on excessive work, believing you must go above and beyond to “earn” your role
Avoiding new challenges: you turn down leadership opportunities because you fear you’re not qualified, even when others believe in you
Frequent mood swings or emotional dysregulation at work: frequent emotional shifts that affect your work relationships or ability to function may indicate an underlying mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders like bipolar disorder
Extreme frustration over small issues: a minor setback- like a meeting being rescheduled- feels like a personal attack, leading to an angry outburst or withdrawal
Crying at work: you feel emotionally overwhelmed and break down after receiving constructive feedback
Euphoria followed by crashes: one day, you feel highly motivated and work long hours, but the next, you struggle to get out of bed
Difficulty concentrating, staying motivated, or completing tasks: lack of focus an motivation can be a sign of underlying depression, anxiety, or even undiagnosed ADHD
Procrastination on important tasks: you sit at your desk for hours but struggle to start or complete tasks, even when deadlines are approaching
Easily distracted: you find yourself switching between multiple tabs, unable to stay focused on one project
Forgetting meetings or deadlines: despite setting reminders, you frequently miss important tasks or meetings
Avoidance of work interactions: if you find yourself increasingly isolating at work, it may be due to underlying social anxiety, depression, or stress
Avoiding team meetings or networking events: you decline invites, even when attending could help your career growth
Feeling uncomfortable in open office spaces: you dread small talk or feel panicked in social work settings
Taking unnecessary sick days: you frequently call in sick or work from home to avoid interacting with coworkers
Thoughts of self-harm or feeling hopeless about work and life: if you frequently feel like you can’t keep up with life’s demands or have thoughts of harming yourself, it is crucial to seek professional help
Feeling like you can’t handle one more thing: every new task feels like the last straw, leading to overwhelming emotional distress
Having passive or active suicidal thoughts: even if you don’t intend to act on them, thoughts of wanting to disappear or not wake up in the morning are serious warning signs
Engaging in self-destructive behaviors: drinking excessively, abusing substances, reckless spending, or ignoring personal responsibilities and relationships as a way to cope
Why see a psychiatrist instead of a therapist?
Unlike non-medical therapists, psychiatrists are trained to:
Diagnose mental health conditions with a medical perspective
Provide medication management alongside therapy
Rule out underlying biological factors such as hormonal imbalances or neurological issues that may contribute to symptoms
Offer a comprehensive treatment plan that combines therapy, medication, and lifestyle strategies
If any of the above struggles resonate with you, seeing a psychiatrist could be the first step towards regaining control, improving your mental well-being, and thriving in your career.
