We’d get ourselves to a doctor if we feel ill but if the feeling is emotional like being worried, sad or hopeless, we are likely to resist seeking help for months or even years. According to a survey by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lily, it takes 6 years for people to get treated for mood disorders.

Suffering in silence is a bad idea and failing to seek help for anxiety or depression is downright dangerous. The longer you wait, the worse things can get. Untreated anxiety can turn into depression and vice versa.

Getting a diagnose is your first step to feel like yourself again. You can ask your physician for a referral to a psychologist or a psychiatrist or you can call your insurer to provide you a list of mental health providers and I can assure you that you will be glad that you did. You can also do this to a friend who is struggling emotionally. (more…)