7 Signs It's Time to Seek Help for Your Depression

Rates of depression in the United States are at all-time highs, which means millions of Americans are struggling, often silently. Here, we look at signs of depression and why getting help is a very good idea.

You wake each day and struggle to get out of bed and put a smile on your face. While everyone has days like this, if they’re on repeat for you, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with something larger than sadness.

The rates of depression in the United States are at all-time highs, and this mental health issue now affects 29% of adults, which is up 10 percentage points from 2015.

If you’re part of this growing world of depression, you might not recognize the signs, which means you’re not getting the help you need and deserve.

Signs you need help for depression

With that in mind, our team of psychiatric experts here at LaSante Health Center reviews key signs of depression to help guide you toward better mental health.

Persistent sadness

Everyone encounters sadness. It can overshadow your life for days, weeks, and even months or years if there’s been some significant loss or tragedy. That said, even if the sadness is prolonged, there are usually glimmers of happiness, and your mood should gradually improve.

With depression, the sadness is persistent and pervasive — there are no breaks, and the sadness isn’t really tied to any one thing. It’s just there, and it won’t go away no matter what you try.

Feeling hopeless

People with depression almost always feel hopeless and empty. You might try to muster some enthusiasm, but it doesn’t feel real, and your view is mostly pessimistic.

Loss of interest

A key sign of depression you shouldn’t ignore is a loss of interest in things you once thoroughly enjoyed. Whether it’s spending time with friends, playing an instrument, or exercising — none of the activities you used to love bring you joy anymore.

Changes in sleep

People with depression may encounter insomnia or they might go in the opposite direction and sleep too much. Whichever way your pendulum swings, if your sleep schedule has changed dramatically, this could point to depression.

Changes in weight and appetite

People with depression often experience weight changes due to eating too little or too much. Like sleeping, depression can cause swings to either end of the scale when it comes to appetite.

Trouble with focus

Getting your mind to focus is often more difficult when you have depression. So if you notice that you’re slipping at work or at school and you can’t concentrate long enough to watch a TV show, depression may be to blame.

Suicidal thoughts

This last item on our list is a big warning bell. If you’re thinking about taking your own life or you’re imagining how you would do it, this is a serious symptom of depression that we urge you not to ignore.

Getting help for depression

The one takeaway that we want to leave you with is that there is help.

Our mental health team has a number of resources and treatments that we can use to improve your mood regulation and help you break free from depression. And the sooner you come see us, the sooner we can get you on the road to happier times.

For expert diagnosis and care of depression, we invite you to book an appointment online or call us at our Brooklyn, New York, clinic at 718-571-8173. We also welcome walk-ins during our hours of operation.

Our team proudly serves the Flatbush and East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Little Haiti, Little Caribbean, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens communities.