ANGELIC NESPOLA AND ASSOCIATE PSYCHOLOGISTS INC

STELLENBOSCH

When to see a psychologist as a student?

It can be difficult to know when “it’s the right time” to seek out professional support—but there are some common signs and guidelines that can help you decide whether talking with a therapist (whether a counseling psychologist or a clinical psychologist) might be right for you:

1. Notice Persistent or Worsening Distress

  • Emotional: Feeling down, tearful, or irritable most days for more than two weeks.
  • Anxiety: Experiencing overwhelming worry, panic attacks, or constant restlessness that interfere with concentration.
  • Sleep & Appetite: Major changes in sleeping or eating patterns (sleeping too little or too much, losing or gaining a lot of weight).


If these patterns stick around and you can’t shake them off on your own, that’s a strong cue to talk to someone trained in mental health. Especially if they start to affect your studies, relationships or daily life.

2. Impact on Academic Functioning

  • Falling Grades: If you notice a significant drop in performance, for example, turning in late assignments, failing tests, or skipping classes.
  • Concentration Issues: If you cannot focus on studying, or your mind races with worries whenever you sit down to work.
  • Procrastination from Overwhelm: If you are putting things off not because you do notcare, but because even small tasks feel too big

When your struggles start to undermine your goals as a student, that is an indicator it’s time for extra support.

3. Changes in Behaviour or Motivation

  • Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from friends, skipping social events, or feeling isolated. Even when you want company.
  • Loss of Interest: Things you used to enjoy, such as playing sports or practicing hobbies, begin to feel meaningless or exhausting.
  • Reliance on Unhealthy Coping: Using alcohol, drugs, or other comping mechanisms to escape

If you notice these shifts, it’s a sign your usual coping strategies are not enough.

4. Recurrent or Traumatic Themes

  • Intrusive Thoughts: Replaying upsetting memories or worries over and over, especially if they are traumatic.
  • Nightmares or Flashbacks: Reliving distressing events in dreams or sudden flashbacks during the day.
  • Self-Harm Ideation: Thoughts about harming yourself or others, or engaging in self-harm.

These are red-flag symptoms that really benefit from professional attention.

Remember

Seeking therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. It is reaching out for the expertise and support you deserve when life becomes too heavy to manage alone. If you’ve checked off any of the boxes above, or even if you’re just curious, making that first appointment could be the best thing you do for yourself this semester.

Start therapy