It can be really hard to know when to reach out and get help for depression, especially when the symptoms come on gradually. Even if you’ve battled depression before, you might still not recognize it when those familiar feelings creep back into your life. In any case, it’s important to reach out and take action before depression becomes unmanageable. As symptoms become more severe, it can be harder to stop the spiral and get yourself back on an effective treatment plan.
To keep yourself safe and avoid more lasting consequences of depression, it’s crucial to know the signs and act on them. Earlier intervention can help prevent depression from interfering with your work, school, social life, health, or physical well-being. Some signs are easier to recognize from the outside, while others are only apparent from inside your own brain. Here are some signs to look for to help to determine whether it’s time to seek help for depression.
The moment you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it’s time to get immediate help for your depression. You can contact your therapist, call a crisis hotline, head to an anxiety and depression treatment center, or even go to the emergency room. Regardless of which of these resources you decide to use, it’s important to get urgent assistance from qualified professionals. Never wait to address these critical thoughts and behaviors — it’s not worth the risk to your life or health.
When you arrive at a crisis center, you’ll be greeted and assessed by a mental health professional. They’ll work closely with you to understand your thoughts, behaviors, and risk levels and determine what level of support you need. You may be hospitalized or admitted for inpatient care if they determine you’re an immediate danger to yourself. Otherwise, they’ll work to connect you with counseling resources, help you make a safety plan, and get ongoing support.
Thoughts of worthlessness, guilt, or feeling like a burden can be a predecessor to suicidal thoughts. You may gradually experience more negative thoughts about yourself, or have a negative self-image. These thoughts can make it harder to connect with others who might otherwise be able to help you get better. The dark side of depression is that the worse it gets, the less worthy you deem yourself of reaching out for support.
Declining self-esteem and self-worth don’t necessarily warrant an inpatient stay or intensive therapy program. However, they are a good sign that your current treatment plan — if you have one — isn’t necessarily doing enough. If you have a therapist or psychiatrist, talk to them about reviewing your treatment protocol and medications. If you aren’t currently in therapy, it might be time to find a therapist, join a group, or locate free mental health resources near you.
Sometimes, depression doesn’t just present as the stereotypical feelings of sadness. You might find you’ve simply become numb, and aren’t in touch with your feelings at all. Or, depression might manifest as increasing frustration with the world around you. For example, you might get more annoyed at your coworkers, classmates, or family members. It’s time to seek help if you experience sudden explosive outbursts, break objects, or punch walls.
Depression can also present as — or function comorbidly with — worsening levels of anxiety. It might be time to get help if you find yourself frequently worrying or panicking in situations that don’t normally faze you. Maybe you don’t usually worry too much about your health, and now you find yourself making tons of doctors appointments “just to check.” Reach out for support if you’re suddenly anxious in everyday situations, like riding an elevator or driving on the highway.
The stereotypical depression sufferer can barely be made to get out of bed to do anything. If she’s upright, she often sits at the table, catatonic, and can’t even bring her spoon to her lips. The way depression is presented in the media, it can seem like you have to be sluggish and starved to qualify for a diagnosis. There’s definitely some truth to these tropes: if you can’t eat, and all you do is sleep, it’s absolutely time to get help.
However, it’s not always that simple: sometimes depression looks like less sleep and more eating, not the other way around. Many depression sufferers bury their feelings with emotional eating and binge eating, and wind up gaining tons of weight. Difficulty falling or staying asleep, and nightmares, can also be symptoms of worsening depression. Bottom line: if you notice big changes — of any kind — in your eating or sleeping patterns, it’s time to reach out and get help.
Depression impacts the entire body, and can cause all sorts of aches, pains, and ailments. Sometimes those extra visits to the doctor aren’t just prompted by anxiety; they’re for actual physical symptoms. Changes in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine can actually change the brain’s perception of pain. That means if your levels are off balance due to depression, minor illnesses or injuries can literally hurt more.
Worsening depression can cause chronic stress and anxiety, which can lead to stiff necks, headaches, backaches, and muscle tension. This stress can also impact your gut health, causing digestive issues like nausea, bloating, and stomach pain. Finally, depression is associated with inflammation, which can result in joint pain and fatigue. If you notice these or similar physical issues with your health, with no underlying cause, you might need help for depression.
If you ever have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, the time to reach out and get professional support is right now. For immediate assistance, call 988 to reach the SAMHSA Suicide & Crisis Hotline. Even if you’re not in crisis, it’s never too early to reach out and get help for your depression symptoms. If you’re reading this article, in fact, that’s a good sign that it’s time for you (or the person you’re worried about) to seek help.
