When might counselling be beneficial?
It is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of 'problems' that should always be passed over to a counsellor. Some people facing enormous personal difficulties prefer not to receive professional help and can cope well with the support of family, friends and colleagues. Talking things over with an interested person can be very helpful and a referral to a counsellor might not be necessary.
In our experience an individual's motives for seeking counselling are many and varied. They might, for example, include a wish to resolve a particular problem, gain support during a crisis or a need to engage in a process of personal development. Nevertheless, a general guide to some of the factors indicating a need for professional help may be useful in arriving at the decision to suggest a student or colleague contact the Counselling Service. As there is a danger of over-interpreting a single or isolated behaviour it is advisable to look for clusters of signs that appear around the same time.
Indications that a person may be in need of professional counselling help might include:
A request for help
This may be stated explicitly or may be implicit in the way the person talks about a problem. For this reason it is important to pay attention to not only what he or she is telling you but also to the intentions and feelings behind the message. Having someone listen attentively is often a cathartic experience for the speaker and this can result in the individual feeling a lot better. This is sometimes difficult for the listener to believe, particularly if they are prepared to bear the weight of a person's distress. A referral may not always be necessary if this type of listening can be offered.
References to suicide
Most of us are aware of the need to distinguish between talk of suicide as a cry for help and the serious intention to end personal anguish in a suicidal action. However, if an individual talks about or alludes to details of how, where, or when, he or she may be contemplating suicide this has to be taken seriously. It can be extremely risky to conclude that suicidal talk is a bid for attention. Up to 70% of people who kill themselves have given definite warnings of their suicidal intentions, often to several people.
If the person you are concerned about is expressing suicidal thoughts immediate action may be necessary.
Changes in mood or behaviour
Actions which are inconsistent with an individual's usual behaviour and which give rise to some concern may be an indication of psychological distress. Examples could include social withdrawal, loss of motivation to work, spells of unexplained crying, outbursts of anger and irritability and anti-social behaviour.
Anxiety and Depression
Both emotional states are common expressions of underlying difficulties. When an individual's ability to function in a satisfactory manner is impaired for a prolonged period because of anxiety or depression, some kind of assistance should be recommended.
Psychosomatic symptoms
Physical symptoms with no apparent organic cause may well be psychosomatic. Such symptoms may include tension-headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, excessive eating, insomnia, excessive sleeping, gastro-intestinal disorders and so on. These symptoms are real for the individual and so is the pain.
Loss or other traumatic changes in personal relationships
It is to be expected that the death of a family member or a close friend, difficulties in marriage or family relationships, divorce, changes in family responsibilities and difficulties in other significant relationships can have a tremendous impact on an individual.
Alcohol and drug abuse
Excessive drinking, drug abuse or drug dependence are often indicative of emotional problems.
Eating problems
Binge eating or self-starvation can be signs of deep underlying distress. As with excessive alcohol and drug abuse, motivation to seek help may not be there and may only emerge over a period of time.
Unwanted sexual experiences
Changes in societal attitudes and responses have made more possible the disclosure of childhood sexual abuse or of sexual assault in adulthood. Individuals suffering the effects of such experiences (both men and women) should be encouraged to seek counselling help. Leaving home for the first time can provide the opportunity for this disclosure to be dealt with in a sympathetic manner and University Counselling Services are becoming increasingly engaged in helping students with difficulties of this nature.
Academic-related problems
All of the above have a significant impact on students' ability to perform according to their potential although there are some students who continue to achieve well, even brilliantly, despite suffering social and emotional difficulties. It is often difficult in practice to disentangle these difficulties from clearly defined educational ones which may include poor study habits, test anxiety, dyslexia, unsuitable subject choice and so on. Talking through some of these issues with a counsellor may help to clarify the problem.
The effects of transition
Moving from home to University can prove extremely disturbing. Recent research on homesickness has indicated that over 60% of all students suffer this, that the effects last for several months and that increased oscillations in mood swings and psychosomatic symptoms are experienced. Research on international students also indicates higher incidence of health service usage during their first year at University (than home students) owing to aspects of culture shock. Support from the Counselling Service may well be useful in those circumstances.