Understanding Why App Icons Disappear on Samsung Galaxy S20

Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand the root causes behind missing app icons on your Samsung Galaxy S20. Several factors can contribute to this problem, and identifying the specific cause affecting your device will help you choose the most effective restoration method. The most common reasons include accidental deletion of app shortcuts from the home screen, hidden apps that were inadvertently concealed through system settings, disabled applications that no longer display on your device interface, and launcher issues caused by corrupted cache data or recent software updates.

Many Samsung Galaxy S20 users report that app icons disappeared after installing system updates or when switching between different launcher applications. Additionally, features like Game Launcher can automatically organize game apps into a separate interface, making them appear to have vanished from your main app drawer and home screen. Understanding these potential causes will help you troubleshoot more effectively and prevent future occurrences of this frustrating issue.

Common Scenarios That Trigger Missing App Icons

Samsung Galaxy S20 owners frequently encounter missing app icons under specific circumstances. One prevalent scenario occurs immediately after performing a software update to a newer version of One UI or Android. These updates can sometimes reset home screen configurations, causing app shortcuts to disappear while the applications themselves remain installed on your device. Another common situation involves accidentally dragging app icons to the remove or delete area at the top of the screen, which removes the shortcut without necessarily uninstalling the entire application.

Users also report that enabling certain Samsung features, such as Game Launcher or AR Zone, can cause related apps to be automatically hidden from the standard home screen and app drawer. These apps get grouped into specialized interfaces, which can be confusing if you weren’t aware of the feature activation. Additionally, customizing your device with third-party icon packs or launchers sometimes leads to compatibility issues where certain app icons fail to display correctly or disappear entirely after an app update.

Method One: Restart Your Samsung Galaxy S20

The simplest and often most effective solution for restoring missing app icons on your Samsung Galaxy S20 is performing a complete device restart. This basic troubleshooting step resolves many temporary software glitches that can cause app icons to disappear unexpectedly. A restart clears your device’s temporary memory, refreshes all system processes, and reloads the launcher application, which frequently resolves display issues affecting app icons.

To restart your Samsung Galaxy S20, press and hold the power button located on the right side of your device until the power menu appears on your screen. From the power menu options, tap the restart icon or text option to initiate the reboot process. Your device will shut down completely and then power back on automatically. This entire process typically takes between thirty seconds to one minute. Once your Samsung Galaxy S20has fully restarted, navigate to your home screen and check whether the missing app icons have reappeared in their original locations.

If a standard restart doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try a soft reset by powering off your device completely, waiting approximately thirty seconds, and then turning it back on manually. This method gives your device a slightly longer period to clear system caches and refresh all background processes, which can be particularly effective when dealing with more persistent icon disappearance problems.

Method Two: Check and Restore Apps from the App Drawer

One of the most straightforward solutions for missing app icons involves checking your Samsung Galaxy S20’s app drawer and manually restoring shortcuts to your home screen. When you remove an app icon from your home screen, the application itself typically remains installed on your device and accessible through the app drawer. This method allows you to quickly restore any missing icons without requiring complex troubleshooting steps.

To access the app drawer on your Samsung Galaxy S20, swipe up from the bottom center of any home screen page. This gesture opens the complete list of all applications installed on your device, displayed in alphabetical order for easy navigation. Once the app drawer is open, scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top of the screen to locate the specific app whose icon has disappeared from your home screen. The search function is particularly useful if you have numerous apps installed and need to find a specific application quickly.

After locating the missing app in your app drawer, tap and hold the app icon until your device vibrates or the icon slightly enlarges, indicating that you’ve activated the drag-and-drop function. While continuing to hold the icon, drag it toward the top of your screen until the app drawer closes and your home screen becomes visible. Position the app icon in your desired location on any available home screen page, then release your finger to place the icon permanently in that spot. The app shortcut will now remain on your home screen, providing quick access to the application whenever you need it.

Using the Search Function for Quick App Location

Samsung Galaxy S20 devices include a powerful search feature that can help you locate apps even when their icons seem to have completely disappeared. To use this feature, swipe down from the center of your home screen to reveal the search bar. Type the name of the missing app into the search field, and your device will display matching results from installed applications, contacts, and other content stored on your phone. If the app appears in the search results, it confirms that the application is still installed on your device and simply needs its home screen shortcut restored.

When you find the app through the search function, you’ll typically see options to open the app immediately or view its app info page. Some Samsung devices also provide a quick action to add the app shortcut directly to your home screen from the search results interface. This streamlined approach saves time and eliminates the need to navigate through the entire app drawer when you know exactly which app you’re looking for.

Method Three: Unhide Hidden Applications

Samsung Galaxy S20 devices running One UI include a built-in feature that allows users to hide specific apps from appearing on the home screen and app drawer. While this privacy-focused feature serves useful purposes, users sometimes accidentally activate it, causing app icons to disappear without their knowledge. Checking for and unhiding these concealed applications can quickly restore missing icons to your device.

To access hidden app settings on your Samsung Galaxy S20, begin by long-pressing any empty space on your home screen until the customization menu appears at the bottom of your display. From this menu, tap the settings icon, typically represented by a gear symbol or the word settings located in the bottom right corner of the screen. Within the home screen settings menu, scroll down until you find the option labeled hide apps on home and apps screens or simply hide apps, depending on your specific One UI version.

Tapping this option opens a list of all hidden applications currently concealed from your home screen and app drawer. Each hidden app displays a red minus symbol or checkbox next to its icon. To unhide an app and restore its visibility, tap the red minus symbol beside the app icon, or uncheck the box if your device uses checkbox selections. After unhiding all desired applications, tap the done or apply button at the bottom of the screen to confirm your changes. Navigate back to your home screen and app drawer to verify that the previously hidden apps now display their icons correctly.

Alternative Methods for Accessing Hidden Apps

Some Samsung Galaxy S20 devices offer additional methods for viewing and managing hidden applications. One alternative approach involves swiping outward with two fingers simultaneously on your home screen, which can reveal a special interface displaying all hidden apps. From this interface, you can tap an add button and select which hidden apps you want to restore to normal visibility. Additionally, you can access hidden app settings through the main settings application by navigating to settings, then apps, and looking for options related to app visibility or hidden applications.

Method Four: Re-Enable Disabled Applications

Android operating systems, including the version running on your Samsung Galaxy S20, allow users to disable certain applications without completely uninstalling them. When an app is disabled, it stops running in the background, doesn’t receive updates, and its icon disappears from both the home screen and app drawer. This state differs from hiding apps because disabled applications truly cease functioning until manually re-enabled through system settings.

To check for and re-enable disabled apps on your Samsung Galaxy S20, open the settings application from your app drawer or by swiping down the notification panel and tapping the gear icon. Within settings, scroll down and tap on apps to access your device’s complete application management interface. The apps menu displays a comprehensive list of all installed applications, including both enabled and disabled ones. Scroll through this list or use the search function at the top to locate the specific app whose icon has disappeared from your device.

Once you’ve found the disabled application, tap on its name to open the detailed app info page. On this page, look for an enable button, typically positioned prominently near the top or bottom of the screen. If the app is currently disabled, you’ll see this enable option clearly displayed. Tap the enable button to reactivate the application, which restores its functionality and makes its icon visible again in your app drawer. After enabling the app, you can manually add its icon back to your home screen using the drag-and-drop method described in previous sections.

Method Five: Clear Samsung Launcher Cache and Data

The Samsung Launcher, also known as One UI Home, serves as the primary interface that displays your home screen, app drawer, and all app icons on your Samsung Galaxy S20. Like all applications, the launcher accumulates cache data and temporary files during regular operation. When this cached data becomes corrupted or conflicts with recent system updates, it can cause various display issues, including missing or disappeared app icons. Clearing the launcher’s cache and data often resolves these problems by forcing the application to rebuild its interface from scratch.

To clear the Samsung Launcher cache on your Galaxy S20, open the settings app and navigate to the apps section. In the apps menu, tap on the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and select show system apps to display all system applications, including the launcher. Scroll through the system apps list to find One UI Home or Samsung Experience Home, depending on your device’s software version. Tap on the launcher app name to open its detailed information page.

On the launcher app info page, tap on storage to access cache and data management options. You’ll see two main options displayed: clear cache and clear data. Start by tapping clear cache, which removes temporary files without affecting your home screen layout or app organization. After clearing the cache, return to your home screen and check whether the missing app icons have reappeared. If the problem persists, return to the storage menu and tap clear data. Be aware that clearing data will reset your home screen to its default state, removing all widget arrangements and custom layouts, but this comprehensive reset often resolves stubborn icon disappearance issues.

Method Six: Check Game Launcher Settings

Samsung Galaxy S20 devices include a specialized feature called Game Launcher that automatically detects gaming applications installed on your device and organizes them into a dedicated gaming interface. While this feature enhances the gaming experience by providing performance optimizations and additional tools, it can cause game app icons to disappear from your standard home screen and app drawer, leading to confusion when you can’t locate your favorite games.

To determine if Game Launcher is hiding your missing app icons, navigate to settings and scroll down to the advanced features section. Within advanced features, look for and tap on game launcher to access its configuration options. Inside the Game Launcher settings menu, you’ll find various options controlling how the feature manages your gaming apps. Look specifically for a setting that controls whether games appear only within Game Launcher or also display in your regular app drawer and home screen.

If you find that Game Launcher is set to hide games from your main interface, you have two options depending on your preferences. You can either disable Game Launcher entirely by toggling off the master switch at the top of the settings page, which returns all game icons to normal visibility in your app drawer, or you can adjust the specific setting that controls game visibility to allow games to appear in both Game Launcher and your standard app locations. After making these changes, return to your home screen and app drawer to verify that your gaming app icons have reappeared and are accessible from their normal locations.

Method Seven: Verify App Installation Status

Sometimes what appears to be a missing app icon actually indicates that the entire application has been uninstalled from your Samsung Galaxy S20, either accidentally or through automatic cleanup processes. Before spending extensive time troubleshooting icon visibility issues, it’s wise to confirm that the apps you’re looking for are actually still installed on your device. This verification process takes only a few moments and can save significant troubleshooting effort.

To check whether an app remains installed on your Samsung Galaxy S20, open the Google Play Store application from your app drawer or home screen. Tap the search bar at the top of the Play Store interface and type the name of the app whose icon has disappeared. When the app appears in the search results, tap on it to open its store page. On the app’s store page, carefully observe the primary action button displayed prominently below the app’s name and icon.

If the button displays install, this confirms that the app is not currently installed on your device and was either never installed or has been removed. In this case, simply tap the install button to download and reinstall the application on your Samsung Galaxy S20. However, if the button shows open or update, this indicates the app is still installed on your device, and the missing icon issue results from a display problem rather than an uninstallation. For apps that show the update option, consider updating them to the latest version, as updates sometimes resolve display glitches that cause icons to disappear.

Method Eight: Reset Home Screen Layout

When multiple app icons have disappeared simultaneously from your Samsung Galaxy S20, or when previous methods haven’t successfully restored missing icons, resetting your home screen layout provides a more comprehensive solution. This process restores your home screen configuration to its default state, which often resolves widespread icon disappearance issues caused by corrupted layout files or conflicts between different customization settings.

To reset your home screen layout on Samsung Galaxy S20, long-press any empty space on your home screen until the customization menu appears. Tap the settings icon in the bottom right corner to access home screen settings. Within this menu, look for an option labeled reset home screen layout, restore default layout, or similar wording depending on your One UI version. Tap this option, and your device will display a confirmation dialog explaining that resetting the layout will restore default app arrangements and may remove custom folders and widgets.

Confirm the reset action by tapping the appropriate button in the confirmation dialog. Your Samsung Galaxy S20 will then rebuild the home screen interface, restoring default app icon placements and potentially recovering missing icons that disappeared due to layout corruption. After the reset completes, you’ll need to manually reorganize your apps, recreate any folders you had previously set up, and re-add widgets to your home screen. While this method requires some reconfiguration effort, it effectively resolves persistent icon disappearance problems that other methods cannot fix.

Method Nine: Update Your Samsung Galaxy S20 Software

Software updates released by Samsung frequently include bug fixes that address various system issues, including problems with missing or disappearing app icons. If your Samsung Galaxy S20 is running an outdated version of One UI or Android, updating to the latest available software version might automatically resolve icon visibility issues while also providing improved security, enhanced features, and better overall device performance.

To check for available software updates on your Samsung Galaxy S20, open the settings application and scroll down to the software update section near the bottom of the menu. Tap on software update to access update management options, then tap download and install to check whether Samsung has released any new updates for your device. If an update is available, your device will display information about the update size, version number, and included improvements or fixes.

Before initiating the download and installation process, ensure your Samsung Galaxy S20 is connected to a stable WiFi network and has sufficient battery charge, ideally above fifty percent or connected to a charger. Tap the download button to begin retrieving the update files, which may take several minutes depending on the update size and your internet connection speed. Once downloaded, tap install to apply the update to your device. Your Samsung Galaxy S20 will restart during the installation process, which typically takes ten to twenty minutes. After the update completes and your device restarts, check whether the missing app icons have been restored through the bug fixes included in the new software version.

Method Ten: Restore from Samsung Cloud Backup

Samsung Galaxy S20 devices automatically back up home screen layouts and app configurations to Samsung Cloud when this feature is enabled. If your app icons disappeared after a system update or major software change, restoring your home screen from a previous Samsung Cloud backup can quickly return everything to its previous working state, including all app icon placements and custom arrangements.

To restore your home screen from Samsung Cloud backup, open the settings application and navigate to accounts and backup. Within this menu, tap on backup and restore to access backup management options. Look for an option labeled restore data or restore from Samsung Cloud, then tap on it to view available backups. Your device will display a list of recent backups, showing the date and time each backup was created along with what data types are included.

Select a backup created before your app icons started disappearing, ensuring the backup includes home screen data. You can review what’s included in each backup by tapping on it to see detailed information. Once you’ve selected the appropriate backup, look for the home screen option in the list of restorable data categories. Ensure home screen is selected by checking its box, then tap the restore button at the bottom of the screen. Your Samsung Galaxy S20 will retrieve the backed-up home screen configuration from Samsung Cloud and apply it to your device. This process typically takes only a few moments, after which your home screen should display all app icons exactly as they appeared when the backup was created.

Method Eleven: Use Widgets to Access Missing Apps

While not a permanent solution for restoring missing app icons, using widgets provides an immediate workaround that allows you to access apps whose icons have disappeared while you troubleshoot the underlying problem. Many applications include widget versions that can be placed on your home screen, offering functionality similar to launching the app through its icon while also providing quick access to key features.

To add widgets for apps with missing icons, long-press any empty space on your Samsung Galaxy S20 home screen until the customization menu appears at the bottom of your display. From this menu, tap on widgets to open the widget selection interface, which displays all available widgets organized by application. Scroll through the widget list to find the app whose icon has disappeared. Many popular apps offer multiple widget sizes and styles, giving you flexibility in choosing which widget best fits your home screen layout and usage needs.

Once you’ve found an appropriate widget for your missing app, tap and hold the widget preview until your device vibrates, then drag it to your desired position on the home screen. Release your finger to place the widget, which will then provide access to the app even though its standard icon remains missing. While using widgets doesn’t solve the root cause of icon disappearance, this method ensures you maintain access to essential apps while implementing more comprehensive fixes described in earlier sections of this guide.

Method Twelve: Factory Reset as Last Resort

When all other methods have failed to restore missing app icons on your Samsung Galaxy S20, performing a factory reset represents the most comprehensive solution available. A factory reset returns your device to its original state, exactly as it was when you first purchased it, eliminating all software problems, corrupted files, and configuration issues that might be causing app icons to disappear. However, this method comes with significant drawbacks, as it permanently erases all data, settings, and installed apps from your device.

Before initiating a factory reset, it’s absolutely critical to back up all important data from your Samsung Galaxy S20 to prevent permanent data loss. Use Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or connect your device to a computer to transfer photos, videos, documents, contacts, and any other irreplaceable information. Verify that your backups completed successfully and that you can access the backed-up data before proceeding with the factory reset.

To perform a factory reset on your Samsung Galaxy S20, open the settings application and navigate to general management. Within general management, tap on reset, which opens a menu displaying various reset options. Select factory data reset from the available options, then carefully read the warning message explaining that this action will erase all data from your device. If you’re certain you want to proceed and have backed up all important information, tap reset or erase all data to begin the factory reset process.

Your Samsung Galaxy S20 will restart and begin erasing all user data, returning the device to factory default settings. This process typically takes fifteen to thirty minutes to complete. After the reset finishes, your device will restart and display the initial setup wizard, just like when you first purchased it. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device again, sign in to your Google and Samsung accounts, and restore your backed-up data. Once setup is complete, all app icons should display correctly on your home screen and in the app drawer.

Pro Tips for Preventing Future App Icon Disappearance

After successfully restoring missing app icons on your Samsung Galaxy S20, implementing preventive measures can help avoid similar problems in the future. Understanding best practices for app and home screen management significantly reduces the likelihood of experiencing icon disappearance issues again.

Regular Software Updates: Keep your Samsung Galaxy S20 updated with the latest software versions released by Samsung. Enable automatic updates in your settings to ensure your device receives important bug fixes and security patches as soon as they become available. Software updates often include fixes for known issues affecting app icon display and home screen stability.
Samsung Cloud Backup Configuration: Enable automatic Samsung Cloud backups for your home screen layout and app configurations. Navigate to settings, accounts and backup, and ensure Samsung Cloud backup is activated with home screen data included. Regular automatic backups create restore points you can use if app icons disappear in the future, allowing quick recovery without extensive troubleshooting.
Careful App Management: When removing apps from your home screen, pay attention to the options presented by your device. Most Samsung devices differentiate between removing an app shortcut from the home screen and completely uninstalling the application. Choose the remove from home screen option when you want to keep the app installed but remove its icon, and select uninstall only when you want to completely delete the application.
Launcher Cache Maintenance: Periodically clear the cache for your Samsung Launcher through the settings app to prevent corruption that can cause display issues. Performing this maintenance every few months keeps your home screen running smoothly and reduces the likelihood of app icons disappearing due to corrupted temporary files.
Avoid Multiple Launchers: While third-party launchers offer extensive customization options, they can sometimes conflict with Samsung’s default launcher and cause app icon display problems. If you prefer using alternative launchers, choose well-established options with strong user reviews and active developer support to minimize compatibility issues.
Monitor Game Launcher Behavior: If you use Game Launcher on your Samsung Galaxy S20, familiarize yourself with its settings and how it organizes game apps. Understanding which apps Game Launcher categorizes as games helps you quickly locate them if they seem to disappear from your standard app drawer.
Screenshot Your Home Screen: Take screenshots of your home screen layout when you have it organized exactly how you like it. These screenshots serve as visual references that help you quickly identify which specific apps are missing when icon disappearance occurs, saving troubleshooting time.
App Folder Organization: When organizing apps into folders on your home screen, avoid creating overly complex nested structures that make it difficult to remember where specific apps are located. Simple, logical folder organization reduces confusion when trying to locate apps whose icons may have moved unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do app icons keep disappearing on my Samsung Galaxy S20 after updates?

App icons frequently disappear following Samsung Galaxy S20 software updates because updates sometimes reset certain home screen configurations or modify launcher settings. When One UI receives major version updates, it occasionally clears temporary layout data or changes how app icons are stored and displayed. To prevent this issue, ensure you’ve enabled Samsung Cloud backup for your home screen before installing updates. Additionally, some updates introduce new features like Game Launcher that automatically reorganize certain apps, making them appear to have disappeared when they’ve actually been moved to a specialized interface. Always check your backup settings and review new features introduced in update changelogs to understand potential impacts on app icon visibility.

What’s the difference between hiding an app and disabling it on Samsung Galaxy S20?

Hiding an app on your Samsung Galaxy S20 keeps the application fully functional in the background while simply concealing its icon from the home screen and app drawer for privacy purposes. Hidden apps continue running, receiving updates, and sending notifications normally, but their icons don’t appear in standard locations. You can unhide these apps at any time through home screen settings without losing any data or functionality. Disabling an app, on the other hand, completely stops the application from running, prevents it from receiving updates, and removes its icon from all interfaces. Disabled apps consume no system resources and don’t run in the background. Re-enabling a disabled app through settings restores its full functionality and makes its icon visible again.

Can I recover app data after reinstalling apps with missing icons?

If you determine that an app with a missing icon was actually uninstalled from your Samsung Galaxy S20, your ability to recover app data depends on several factors. Apps that use cloud-based storage or sync data to online accounts typically preserve all your information even after uninstallation. When you reinstall these apps and sign back in to your account, your data automatically syncs back to your device. However, apps that store data locally on your device without cloud backup lose their data permanently when uninstalled. To protect against data loss, enable Samsung Cloud backup and Google backup in your device settings before problems occur. These backup services preserve app data for supported applications, allowing recovery when you reinstall apps.

How do I know if Game Launcher is hiding my app icons?

You can determine whether Game Launcher is concealing your missing app icons by opening the Game Launcher app directly from your app drawer. If the missing apps appear within Game Launcher’s interface, this confirms the feature has automatically categorized them as games and removed their icons from standard locations. Additionally, if only gaming or game-related apps have disappeared while other apps remain visible, Game Launcher is likely the cause. To verify Game Launcher’s configuration, navigate to settings, advanced features, and Game Launcher to review its settings. Look for options controlling whether games appear only in Game Launcher or also display in your normal app drawer. You can either adjust these settings to show games in both locations or disable Game Launcher entirely to return all game icons to normal visibility.

Will clearing Samsung Launcher data delete my apps?

Clearing Samsung Launcher data on your Samsung Galaxy S20 does not uninstall or delete any of your installed applications. The apps themselves remain completely intact on your device with all their data preserved. However, clearing launcher data does reset your home screen layout to its default configuration, which means you’ll lose your custom app arrangements, folder organizations, and widget placements. Any app icons you’ve manually placed on your home screen will disappear, requiring you to add them back from the app drawer. Despite this inconvenience, clearing launcher data often effectively resolves persistent app icon disappearance issues by forcing the launcher to rebuild its interface from scratch. After clearing launcher data, simply open your app drawer and manually restore your preferred apps to your home screen using the drag-and-drop method.

My app icons are blank or show a generic Android icon instead of the proper icon. How do I fix this?

When app icons appear blank or display generic Android placeholder images instead of their proper icons, this typically indicates a problem with the icon cache or app update issues. Start by opening the Google Play Store and checking for updates to the affected apps, as installing the latest version often restores proper icon display. If updates don’t resolve the issue, try clearing the cache for both the affected apps and the Samsung Launcher through settings. Navigate to settings, apps, find the problematic app, and tap clear cache. Repeat this process for One UI Home to clear the launcher cache. If blank icons persist after clearing cache, uninstall and reinstall the affected apps to force a complete icon refresh. For widespread blank icon issues affecting multiple apps simultaneously, clearing the Samsung Launcher data through settings, apps, One UI Home, storage, and clear data often resolves the problem comprehensively.

Conclusion

Restoring missing app icons on your Samsung Galaxy S20 doesn’t have to be a complicated or stressful experience. By following the comprehensive methods outlined in this guide, you can quickly identify the cause of disappeared icons and implement effective solutions to restore full functionality to your device. Whether your app icons vanished due to accidental hiding, disabled applications, launcher issues, or software update complications, multiple proven troubleshooting approaches are available to resolve the problem.

Starting with simple solutions like restarting your device and checking the app drawer allows you to resolve common issues quickly without requiring advanced technical knowledge. For more persistent problems, methods like clearing launcher cache, adjusting Game Launcher settings, and resetting home screen layouts provide powerful tools to restore missing icons. Understanding the various causes behind app icon disappearance empowers you to choose the most appropriate solution for your specific situation, saving time and frustration.

Prevention is equally important as recovery when dealing with missing app icons. By implementing the pro tips provided in this guide, including regular software updates, Samsung Cloud backup configuration, and careful app management practices, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing this issue in the future. Taking screenshots of your preferred home screen layout and understanding features like Game Launcher help you maintain better control over your device’s app organization.

Remember that the Samsung Galaxy S20 is a sophisticated device with numerous features designed to enhance your mobile experience, but these features sometimes interact in unexpected ways. Staying informed about your device’s capabilities and knowing how to troubleshoot common issues ensures you can maximize the value of your smartphone investment while maintaining smooth, uninterrupted access to all your essential applications.

If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting methods without success, don’t hesitate to contact Samsung support or visit an authorized service center for professional assistance. Persistent issues that resist all standard fixes might indicate underlying hardware problems or rare software conflicts that require expert diagnosis. Your Samsung Galaxy S20 represents a significant investment, and ensuring it functions properly is worth seeking professional help when necessary.