There are a number of key indicators that signal you may need professional help with depression. Many people can still function with mild depression and go along hoping it will go away. Unfortunately, depression often feeds on itself and what was mild can evolve into moderate and severe depression rather quickly.
When is Depression an Emergency?
When depression gets severe most people feel trapped, may not be able to get out of bed, and can’t see any reason to live anymore. It’s common at this point to be having suicidal ideation and a desire to end things. Some people begin formulating a plan to commit suicide. At this extreme it can be vital to take action immediately. Many with suicidal ideation need to be hospitalized for their own safety and stabilization. It’s best to error on the side of caution and go to an emergency room to be evaluated to see if you need to be admitted.
Can Depression Impair My Functioning?
Moderate to severe depression can be quite debilitating and impair functioning. For many, depression saps all their energy and motivation to the point where they can’t go to work or school, handle basic chores, or even daily hygiene. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are also common at this stage. They can also experience anhedonia, which is a loss of pleasure in leisure activities, such that the joy is gone, and they feel like they are just going through the motions. These are all telltale signs of needing a psychiatrist for medications or a counselor for therapy to work on the depression.
What Physical Symptoms Does Depression Cause?
Many people with mild to moderate depression find their sleep impaired, often struggling with trouble falling asleep or waking. Appetite often goes down and with-it energy levels. Some get aches, muscle tension, GI issues or headaches. Most people understand that the mind and body have to work together. It’s hard to function well when you cannot eat, sleep, or don’t have any energy. These physical symptoms are a flag that it’s time to see a therapist or psychiatrist before things get unbearable.
How Does Depression Affect My Thinking and Cognition?
Even mild depression tends to affect focus and concentration. Often productivity and efficiency begin to suffer. Memory and recall can also start to get impacted. Depression also starts to affect confidence and people become more indecisive. General outlook and perspective usually start to become increasingly pessimistic. Counseling and therapy are particularly good and combating cognitive symptoms of depression. Don’t wait until you can’t think your way out of the box.
Will Depression Cause Emotional Extremes?
Depression by nature has an emotional component and affect. Most people begin to experience more and more days stacking up where they feel down and depressed. As they spiral downward and cannot find their way back up, their emotions become increasingly intense and extreme. There can be variations in manifestation for men and women with the emotional toll. Where women often became extremely sad, blue, and weepy; men often become increasingly irritable, edgy, and restless. In either event, the journey through depression is unpleasant and painful for most. Depression tends to affect all aspects of life as it gets worse and worse. Don’t suffer needlessly, see a counselor or psychiatrist.
If you are interested in counseling or therapy, or wish to talk to one of our psychiatric providers about medications for your depression, feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule an appointment with one of skilled professionals. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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