When Do Anxiety and Depression Require Professional Help?

Anxiety and depression are real mental conditions that can severely damage your quality of life. Of course it’s normal to feel nervous about an event, like a job interview or major work presentation, or to feel blue when you experience a break-up or major life change, but if these feelings are persistent and start to interfere with your ability to enjoy life, you may need professional help.

South Plains Rural Health offers mental health support to people in Levelland, Lamesa, and Big Spring, Texas -- as well as the surrounding areas. If you find any of the following are true, reach out to us for assistance.

Depression starts to take over your days

More than 7% of the adult population in the United States suffers from major depressive disorder. Depression doesn’t discriminate either. People of all ages -- even children and teens -- and from all walks of life can be depressed.

A bout of the blues is normal, but when depression starts to create persistence feelings of hopelessness, it’s time to get help. You may also experience sleep disturbances and changes in appetite. 

Your moods may be quick to change, and you’ll feel particularly irritable. You may have a significant lack of energy, despite being well-rested. 

Activities you once enjoyed will no longer be of interest. Your joy is replaced by extreme sadness and emptiness. It’s common to feel worthless and that there’s “no point” to existence. 

People with depression sometimes cope with their feelings with alcohol and drug abuse. 

Severe depression can also be characterized by suicidal thoughts. If you feel like you might do other harm to yourself or others, reach out to the providers at South Plains Rural Health Services immediately. 

If you’re worried about a family member with any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to help them schedule as it can be incredibly hard for them to motivate. 

Your anxiety is out of proportion

Anxiety that interferes with your daily activity deserves professional help. Anxiety disorders affect more than 18% of the adult population, so you aren’t alone. 

Anxiety can cause you to change your life, shrinking your world so that you become isolated to avoid anxiety-provoking incidences. You may avoid situations or places that cause you anxiety. Anxiety interferes with your work productivity and may undermine relationships with friends, family, and your significant other. 

Anxiety is characterized by:

• Feelings of tension or nervousness
• Disrupted sleep
• Fears that are out-of-proportion to the situation at hand
• An impending sense of doom or danger
• Difficulty concentrating because you’re so worried

Anxiety can cause panic attacks, too. These episodes are characterized by nausea, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate. You may sweat profusely and become shaky.  

Seek help for anxiety and depression

The mental health specialists at South Plains Rural Health Services have the compassion and skills to help you face depression and/or anxiety. These conditions can occur singularly or together; your provider customizes treatment to help your particular struggle.

The behavioral health support offered includes group work, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications. The goal of treatment is to help you find comfort and joy in life again.

Don’t hesitate to contact South Plains Rural Health Services if you or a loved one is showing signs of anxiety and depression. These conditions don’t just “go away” with time. Treatment takes effort, but is well worth it.