Is it just me? The most common reasons people start therapy

Is it just me?

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night thinking, Why am I like this? Why can’t I just get it together like everyone else? If so, welcome to the very large, very human club.

Starting therapy can feel like a big, scary step — and often, people delay it because they worry their struggles aren’t “bad enough,” or that they should be able to handle things on their own. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from talking to a therapist. In fact, many people come to therapy simply because they’re tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or alone in their thoughts.

Let’s break down some of the most common reasons people decide to start therapy — and why none of them mean there’s something wrong with you.

1. Anxiety and overthinking

One of the most common entry points into therapy is the feeling of being constantly on edge. Whether it’s social anxiety, general worry, or those racing thoughts that just won’t quit, many people come to therapy because their brain feels like it’s running a marathon — without a finish line.

People often say things like:

• “I can’t turn my brain off.”

• “I replay every conversation wondering if I said something stupid.”

• “I wake up already feeling anxious.”

Therapy helps you learn how to respond to anxiety, instead of being run by it. It doesn’t make your worries disappear, but it can help you stop believing every anxious thought as if it were gospel.

2. Burnout and exhaustion

It’s not just you. So many people arrive at therapy emotionally fried — especially those juggling demanding jobs, parenting responsibilities, or caregiving roles. You might feel numb, irritable, or like you're on autopilot.

Burnout often hides behind statements like:

• “I used to love my job, now I dread it.”

• “Everything feels like too much.”

• “I cry on the drive home but put on a smile at work.”

Therapy offers a space to slow down, unpack what's draining you, and find new ways to restore your energy — without feeling like you're letting everyone down.

3. Grief and loss

Grief isn’t just about losing a person through death. It can show up after a breakup, the end of a friendship, the loss of a job, or a life change that you didn’t ask for. People often start therapy during or after one of these “life earthquakes” because they can’t seem to bounce back the way they expected.

Grief can feel like:

• “Everyone else has moved on, but I’m still stuck.”

• “I don’t know who I am without them.”

• “It’s been months, but I still cry all the time.”

Therapy helps hold space for grief in all its messy, unpredictable forms. It won’t rush you to move on — instead, it walks with you as you find meaning and healing.

4. Relationship stress

Romantic, platonic, family — relationships are both beautiful and complicated. If you find yourself in patterns of conflict, people-pleasing, emotional distance, or just plain confusion, you’re not alone.

People often come to therapy saying:

• “Why do I keep picking the same kind of partner?”

• “I don’t know how to set boundaries.”

• “I feel like I give more than I get.”

Therapy is a great place to explore how your past might be shaping your present, and how to move toward relationships that feel more balanced, secure, and authentic.

5. A deep desire for change

Sometimes, people start therapy because something just feels off. They might not even be able to name it at first — just a low hum of dissatisfaction or a sense that they’ve lost connection with themselves.

This can sound like:

• “I feel like I’m going through the motions.”

• “I’m not unhappy, but I’m not happy either.”

• “Is this all there is?”

Therapy helps you reconnect with your own values, desires, and identity. It’s a space where you can safely ask the big questions without needing to have all the answers.

So… Is it just you?

Absolutely not.

Therapy is full of people who look just like you — people who are smart, kind, functional… and also anxious, tired, grieving, confused, or craving something different. Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you’re ready to start paying attention to yourself in a deeper way.

There’s no one “right” reason to start therapy. Whether you’re in full-blown crisis or just feeling a little lost, you deserve a space to feel heard, understood, and supported.

Because the truth is: you don’t have to wait until everything falls apart to take care of your emotional wellbeing.

Sometimes, talking it out is the bravest and kindest thing you can do.