Depression - When To Seek Help

Depression - When To Seek Help

Some level of depression is perfectly normal, and does not require treatment. We all feel a little down or a little "blue" from time to time. We all have life events that will make us feel very sad as well, such as the loss of a loved one, the breakup of a relationship, financial difficulties, etc.

In most cases, however, these down periods are temporary. At what point, however, should you seek help for your depression? While people feel depression in different ways, and to different extents, there are specific warning signs that one should look for when determining whether or not they actually need treatment or not.

First, if your depression has lasted for more than a period of two weeks, you most likely need to seek treatment. Make an appointment with your medical doctor for a checkup, and discuss your feelings with him. He will most likely perform a physical exam to determine if there is a physical cause for those feelings, and he will also ask about your life events and current stressors.

Other than seeking help if the depression lasts for more than two weeks, another sign that help is needed -- immediately -- is if you are having suicidal thoughts, or if you have already attempted suicide. Do not wait to seek treatment. Contact your doctor, or call a suicide hotline for immediate help.

Even if depression is temporary, all of the other symptoms of depression are normal -- except for the two discussed above. You may have a change in sleeping and eating patterns, you may feel like everything is hopeless. You may have the fatigue and the aches and the pains. But again, if those symptoms do not go away within two weeks, or you feel suicidal, treatment is needed.

In many cases, a medical doctor can treat you for the depression, depending on the cause and the severity of the depression. The important thing is to seek the help, and to be as honest with your doctor as possible -- whether he is a therapist or not, he must still keep all conversations with you in confidence.