When Is It the Right Time to Seek Help for My Mental Health Disorder?

When Is It the Right Time to Seek Help for My Mental Health Disorder?

Knowing when to seek help can make a difference in your quality of life. This is especially true for those who are struggling with various conditions. People don't seek help for several reasons. For some, their conditions become their new “normal,” which makes it difficult to know when they do need help. In other cases, many are taught to only seek help in the most dire of circumstances. This thought process causes many people who could get help to struggle unnecessarily until they deem it “worthy” to seek help.

The truth of the matter is that it's always okay to seek help for a mental health disorder, no matter how mild or severe the symptoms. As a human being, you deserve to be helped. Driftwood Recovery makes it easy to seek help by providing treatment for a wide variety of conditions. The goal of this is to improve the lives of as many people as possible so they can live fulfilling and happy lives.

Though people can seek help at any time they like, it can be hard to know when to seek help if they don't believe they need it. Understanding the common signs of when a person should seek help for a mental health disorder can be helpful not just for the individual, but for their loved ones as well.

Signs That It’s Time to Seek Help

Many people live with a mental health disorder without being aware that there is a problem. A person struggling with depression may brush away their symptoms of just having multiple “off” days. Someone struggling with the aftereffects of trauma may believe that they just need to drink more alcohol so they can sleep at night. That's why it's important to be aware of the specific signs that may indicate a need for help. Here are a few questions to ask yourself. Answering yes to any is a sign to seek help.

  • Time: Did you start feeling sad one day and still feel sad, even after several weeks? Do you have a hard time remembering the last time you felt normal, relaxed, or safe?
  • Escalation: Do your symptoms feel like they are getting consistently worse? Does it feel like you need to increase your substance use to feel normal? Are you unable to participate socially, perform work, or maintain other responsibilities without great personal distress?
  • Health: Are you experiencing heart and/or gut troubles with no clear explanation? Does it seem like you have little or too much energy? Are you sleeping too much or too little? Do you feel sick or pained after not using substances for a while?
  • Social: Do your loved ones or acquaintances express concern over your health or mental state? Are you having a hard time enjoying activities and hobbies you previously loved? Do you feel isolated or unable to connect with others?

Ways to Seek Help for a Mental Health Disorder

There are many ways a person can seek help for a mental health disorder. By far, the most common way is to call a mental health care or addiction treatment facility. These are places staffed by mental health care professionals who can find you the help you need. Some of these places specialize in treating specific disorders, addictions, or even types of people. There are online databases for treatment facilities that can give you a good idea of what is available in your area.

If you struggle with using phones, it's also acceptable to use email to seek help. Most mental health care and addiction treatment facilities have websites with built-in email web forms. It allows potential clients to jot down their questions and send them quickly. A response will come to your email within a few business days.

It's always okay to have an advocate when you seek help. Advocates can give you the courage you need to take that first step. Sometimes, they can even speak for you if you are unable to do so yourself. Just know that a mental health care professional will ask for identifying and sensitive information related to your mental health. If you choose to use an advocate to help you, you must be prepared for them to hear such information.

Finding Help at Driftwood Recovery

Driftwood Recovery makes it easy for clients to seek help. With compassionate and patient staff, clients are kept informed every step of the way. Understanding is key to trust, and the staff at Driftwood Recovery keep clients informed of their rights and options. Nobody at Driftwood Recovery would ever belittle or judge a client for their experiences. It's a safe place to find healing, growth, and encouragement.

Many conditions are treated at Driftwood Recovery, offering comprehensive and quality care to all who need it. It's encouraged to contact the Driftwood Recovery team to ask questions, communicate your needs, or even set up a time to visit the facility. Seeking help and treatment is a big step, so the Driftwood Recovery team makes the process as simple and easy as possible.

Remember, it's okay to seek help, no matter what you are struggling with. It can be hard to admit that you need help, but part of the healing process is learning to trust others to help you. By seeking help yourself, you may be demonstrating how to do so for others who are also in need of help.

Knowing when to seek help can be difficult for many people. As a society, we are taught to hide what troubles us for fear of being judged and belittled. The truth is that anyone at any time is allowed to seek help if they feel they need it, no matter how small or big their struggle. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients can receive the help they need with compassion and respect. Seeking help is made easy, as Driftwood Recovery is staffed by mental health care professionals specializing in many unique fields. If you or a loved one is worried about their mental health, don't wait; seek help today by calling (512) 759-8330.