Depression is a mental health disorder that affects over 250 million people worldwide. It causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, affecting all aspects of everyday life. While experiencing occasional periods of sadness is a normal part of the human experience, chronic or severe depression can be debilitating and requires professional assistance. Let’s discuss some of the signs and symptoms that indicate when it is time to seek help with depression.
Signs it’s Time to Seek Help with Depression
One of the most common symptoms of depression is a persistent feeling of sadness that doesn’t dissipate even after positive experiences or events.
Read More About DepressionThis sadness can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find joy in activities that once brought pleasure.
Other common signs it may be time to seek help for depression include:
- A loss of interest or enjoyment in activities that usually bring joy, leading to isolation and social withdrawal. If you find yourself withdrawing from activities that once brought pleasure without any apparent external explanation, seeking help may be necessary.
- Changes to eating patterns. Changes to appetite can lead to overeating or undereating, causing significant weight gain or loss, respectively. If there is no apparent medical explanation for these changes, they are a potential sign of depression.
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia, hypersomnia, or daytime sleepiness. Changes in sleep patterns can worsen depression, leading to a vicious cycle of negative emotions and sleep deprivation.
- Physical symptoms, including headaches, stomach pains, and chronic fatigue, among others. While these symptoms can have other causes, persistent and unexplained physical ailments accompanied by feelings of sadness and worthlessness can be related to depression.
- Difficulty with concentration and memory, leading to decreased productivity and performance at work or school. This symptom can cause further anxiety, worsening depression symptoms.
Pay Close Attention to Intrusive Thoughts or Suicidal Ideation
If you’re experiencing intrusive thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you should seek help immediately.
Depression can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, leading to suicidal ideation or plans without warning.
Please seek immediate help with depression if you’re experiencing these thoughts or are feeling overwhelmed.
When It’s Time to Seek Help with Depression
Depression is a treatable mental health disorder. Seeking help for it is essential, especially when symptoms become chronic or severe, and when self-help coping mechanisms are not effective.
Recognizing the signs is an essential step towards receiving care and addressing the underlying causes of depression.
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness but strength.
Mental health professionals can provide tailored treatment options to promote healing and well-being, empowering you to lead a fulfilling life.
You don’t have to face depression alone.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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