Feeling under the weather or “low mood” is something that affects almost everyone. It’s hard to go through life feeling great all the time.
But when you feel depressed, when should you ask for outside help? When’s the right time to seek support and get professional assistance?
Here’s a rundown:
When You Have Thoughts Of Self-Harm
First, you want to seek outside help if you have thoughts of self-harm. These can seem trivial when they first occur but may become more serious over time.
The key is to act quickly and train yourself to respond when these circumstances occur. If you know you’re in trouble, then making contact with someone else is essential.
For example, you could call the emergency services, a local non-profit that deals with people experiencing the urge to self-harm, or a therapist. As long as you have someone in the loop, they can get the help and support you need.
When You Have Physical Symptoms
You also want to reach out for help when you have physical symptoms. Headaches, chronic fatigue, and digestive issues can all be an indication that you have a problem that needs treatment.
Usually, doctors are quite good at dealing with these physical symptoms and telling you what to do to resolve them. GPs can often prescribe lifestyle changes or even medications to put you back on the path to recovery.
When You Start Self-Medicating
Another time you should seek outside support and help when depressed is when you start self-medicating. If you find yourself relying on alcohol or drugs to get yourself through the day, that’s a sign you need support.
The best place to go is an addiction treatment center. These are used to dealing with these situations and can help you with withdrawal while providing emotional support so you don’t feel the need to go back to your old ways.
It’s also a reminder that you’re not alone. Many people go through rehab every year because of addiction to illicit and prescription drugs.
When You Feel Withdrawn
You may also want to get outside help when you feel withdrawn (a natural tendency when depressed). Often, you feel so bad, you don’t want to be around anyone.
Feeling withdrawn can, unfortunately, make depression worse. Therefore, talking to a therapist or simply seeking situations where you can be around other people can help a great deal.
When You Feel Hopeless
Another sign you should reach out for help is when you feel hopeless (which can be an unpleasant experience). If you can’t see a future, it usually means that your depression is becoming more difficult to tackle alone.
The trick is to find a way to unburden yourself from deeper struggles. If you can find something to look forward to, even if it is the end of your suffering, that’s a great way to get out of your situation.
So there you have it: some of the situations where you should reach out and get help.
Don’t be afraid to do this straight away. Don’t suffer in silence.
If you need to speak to someone right away, use the international mental health hotline guide to get connected. If you are in crisis, go to your nearest emergency room.
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