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I’m in a vicious cycle of working, but not feeling satisfied with my work, excessive studying, weird sleep schedules, bad thoughts. I’m to a point where I feel that I may need external help and not sure how it works. I’d love to hear experiences from people who may have gone through a similar experience.
Caveat: Finding a good therapist that works for you and your situation.
First, sorry to hear about your vicious cycle. Based on what you wrote it sure seems like you owe it to yourself to at least try therapy.
The process is designed to be gentle, so in general it's one of the easier activities to try in the sense of tolerating newcomers. For example if you are more comfortable discussing your "current status" and things you've tried, or might try, but not comfortable getting into your feelings, you can typically be forthright about that and expect a reasonably assuring response.
If you have specific concerns or fears regarding therapy, IMO it's a good idea to write them down and see if they pan out, or share them with your therapist as an objective way of showing that you are bringing your best circumspect self to therapy. They may also help by providing additional context.
In case it's also relevant, my professional area of interest, personality dynamics, involves the ways in which people work together well, or don't, and so I'd also note that it is often a good idea to try multiple therapists and see which pairing (you & them) is working out. People have personas / personalities into which they naturally self-organize, and if that persona is not one you enjoy being open with in a therapeutic setting, it may be time to move along.
Personally, I once had a therapist who was engaged with some clients (particularly those who enjoyed sports) yet he literally fell asleep on others. Another seemed disinterested and burnt out. These things can happen. But I also had another therapist who was fantastic for me--he told really funny jokes, recommended very useful books, and was really brilliant in lots of ways that were relevant to my situation.
Since you're coming from tech AFAIK, one thing I'll mention is that a lot of us tech people also make really good critics. We can sometimes shoot the messenger (therapist in this case) too easily, especially if we start earnestly researching what we think they are trying to do for us, and where they get all their ideas, and so on.
If this may apply to you, it's a good idea to focus on the things you are _trying for yourself_ and what the objective _results_ are. If you can measure those results (scoring your day, etc.) for example, all the better.
Anyway, just some thoughts, hang in there & good luck.
Would definitely give it a try and understand that not only is therapy a process, but finding a therapist is a process. Also worth working on other areas - taking care of your health, sleep, vacation - in parallel.
If you want to feel differently and are willing to spend effort on change, a therapist can hear you say that to them, and then help guide you through various steps to feel differently, and also be there to support you through the process of change.
"Anxiety is great until it's not." -probably someone
My experience with therapy helped me to recognize and choose not to doubt and undermine myself, resulting in overall improvement in happiness. So, Yes therapy has been helpful for me.
Also, it is ok to seek out "new" therapists who're still under supervision themselves.
In the end it is your decision, but given that your partner brought it up, you might consider doing it just for them. I have never been the receiving end of therapy, but I believe there is nearly nobody who could not profit from it in some way.
I think that transcendental meditation could help you as i suffered depression in the past when my dad passed away. You can find a transcendental meditation teacher at tm.org. It helps me a lot.