I was referred by a family member's spouse and don't really know if I need treatment.

Hello Dave, Thank you so much for reaching out with this concern. There is not much information to go on from the question, but I'll give you the best information that I can at this point. It sounds like some issues with family members, and someone is encouraging you to get some help in some fashion, and you were unaware of this need and the reasons why. In response to your question, is this common to be unaware of your actions or responses and conversations? It absolutely can be.

Often, when an individual has an issue or a problem that they're dealing with, the first people that usually notice are the closest family members and friends. This is because these people have access to you on a more common basis and have interacted with you on a more personable level. We are a lot more comfortable in who we are around people most of the time, instead of maybe strangers at a store. So depending on what the issue is or what your family members are saying you need help with, it could be something that you've been dealing with over a long period that's come from the way you interact with others that you've developed over childhood. This could be something that you are just accustomed to and may have no recognition of it within your own behavior because you have acted or said or done things this way for so many years. Something can be just so normal for us in what we do or say because of our upbringing or the surroundings in which we were raised. As we get older and interact with others, that may show up as a problem.

Again, I don't know what the direct issue is or the problem, but just directly answering your question, yes, these are things that other people can notice, and we may not see those ourselves. Often, people go into counseling because a family member told them they needed to or they have relationships on the verge of ending. They don't know what the issue is, but they go into counseling to try to figure that out. I would encourage you to talk with a counselor more in-depth. In that session, they'll be able to get more background information and find out the issues or things you've been told and what you feel about that. This can help you gain more insight into yourself and who you are. Counseling can be done in a safe and secure place where the counselor can work with you without judgment and patience while they're helping you figure things out. If there are things that need to be addressed or processed, they will do their best to assist with that. I hope this answers your question.