• September 29, 2022
• Center for Developmental Psychiatry

When to See a Psychiatrist for Depression: 6 Signs and Symptoms

Over 17 million American adults struggle with depression. Some can work through it on their own, and some may need a little extra help from the professionals.

So, how do you know when you should make an appointment? Let’s go through the top signs you or a loved one should see a psychiatrist for depression.

1. Disrupted Sleep

Changing sleeping habits is one major sign that it’s time to go see a professional about depression. You may be struggling with insomnia due to spiraling negative thoughts and feelings.

Suddenly sleeping too much or too little can really impact your overall health. In fact, some studies have shown that sleeping too much could actually be worse for your overall health than sleeping too little.

Your sleeping changes may or may not be accompanied by a general lack of energy and/or malaise. This could be exacerbated by not being motivated to exercise, which can reduce your energy levels even more.

You might find that you lack the energy to complete your everyday activities, which can further compound your depression.

2. Dietary Changes

Depression can also trigger changes in your eating habits, which can cause major problems if left unchecked. You may find yourself eating much more, or much less, than you would previously or than that would be healthy.

You could find yourself not eating for long periods of time, and then binging. Or, you could find yourself neglecting your diet and eating random foods that don’t provide the proper nutrition you need.

You may not initially notice these changes, but if you suddenly face major weight gain or loss, it might be time to think about your diet, and what could have caused changes in your eating habits.

However, there are other medical conditions that can cause sudden dietary changes or taste shifts, so you might what to talk to your primary care doctor about getting tests to rule out anything else, such as thyroid conditions or vitamin deficiencies.

3. Ongoing Sadness

If you feel sad without any relief for long periods of time, you may want to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist. This is especially true if you aren’t sure why you’re sad. Sadness with an underlying cause, like the death of a relative, may be unrelated to depression and may need to be treated in other ways.

A psychiatrist can help you find the right depression treatment for your situation, to help get your life back on track. They may prescribe different types of depression medication if they believe your depression may be a result of your brain chemistry rather than external factors.

4. It’s Disrupting Your Life

If your depression is causing major disruptions to your life, you should consult with a professional. Your depression may cause you to miss plans with loved ones, or to avoid making plans entirely.

Or, your depression could cause problems with your career. You may have trouble getting to work on time, and you may find yourself making excuses to leave work early.

You may have difficulty concentrating and therefore completing important work tasks. Or, you may forget tasks you need to complete entirely, leading to more complications.

These disruptions can also be accompanied by a sense of guilt. You may feel guilty about not being as successful and able to complete your tasks as you were previously. You may find yourself beating yourself up about your lack of motivation and declining performance.

This negativity isn’t useful, and will only lead to you feeling more and more depressed. Talking to a psychiatrist and finding out about your treatment options can help you break the dangerous cycle of depression.

Your guilt might not be centered on your job performance, but guilt could still be a sign of depression. You might find yourself feeling guilty about things you’ve done and situations you’ve been in in the past. You might not be able to shake it no matter how hard you try.

If you find yourself dwelling on past situations that make you feel guilty, you’ll want to talk through your feelings with a medical professional.

5. Low Self-Esteem

Having low self-esteem can also be a sign of depression. This is one that’s easy to watch out for in your loved ones. They may constantly make self-deprecating remarks about themselves, or they may say that they lack confidence in their abilities or performance at work or at their jobs.

If you notice a loved one expressing these behaviors, particularly when combined with other signs of depression, you may want to recommend that they visit a depression treatment center to start getting healthier.

6. Loss of Enjoyment

You probably have hobbies or activities that you enjoy doing regularly. If you find yourself dragging when doing these activities, if you’re no longer enjoying your time, it could be a sign that your depression is getting worse.

This can coincide with a general lack of motivation. You may not feel motivated to get up and try doing some of your favorite activities, even if you do still enjoy them.

Start Seeing a Psychiatrist for Depression Today

There are lots of reasons you or someone you love might want or need to see a psychiatrist for depression. But, the most important reason is that it’s a great way to start feeling better and living your life to the fullest.

Are you ready to get started? Schedule an appointment with the Center for Developmental Psychiatry today.