Depression: When It’s Time to Get Help
Written by: Laura Perino, MRC, PCC
Depression is too often a disorder that people wait too long in order to get help. The most effective time for intervention is when symptoms are at their mildest. Unfortunately, many people wait until there are severe symptoms or suicidal ideation. There is much more to heal at this point. You or your loved one should get help if:
- Talking to friends or family is just not helping as much as you would like
- There are physical symptoms along with the depressive symptoms
- You do not feel like yourself and do not participate or show interest in activities
which used to bring you pleasure - You are having a difficult time with prolonged grief- lasting more than several
weeks - If you have suicidal or homicidal ideation
- If you feel alone in coping with your symptoms
- If you feel nobody else understands you
- If you are sad more times than not
- If your sadness is affecting your work, social, or personal life in any manner
- If you cry often or uncontrollably
- If there is any type of self –inflicted harm
- If you isolate often or too much
You are not alone in dealing with your symptoms. Help is out there and often times simply talking to somebody who is removed from the situation can provide relief enough to get on with your life- and just maybe give you the chance at happiness again.