Treatment and Recovery Part 3: What To Do If Your Symptoms Are Severe

If your symptoms are so severe that you feel hopeless and worthless all the time, or your feelings and experiences feel so overwhelming that you cannot function in daily living, or if any of the following apply to you, take steps right away to help yourself.

• You feel like life is not worth living anymore.
• You think a lot about dying, have thoughts of suicide, or have planned how to kill yourself.
• You are taking risks that are endangering your life and/or the lives of others.
• You feel like hurting yourself, hurting others, destroying property, or committing a crime.

THINGS YOU NEED TO DO RIGHT AWAY:

• Arrange an appointment with your doctor or other healthcare provider, or with a mental health agency. If your symptoms make you a danger to yourself or someone else, insist on immediate care and treatment. A family member or friend may need to do this for you if your symptoms are too severe.  Make sure your healthcare provider knows about any medications you are taking or have discontinued.
•  Ask friends or family members to take turns staying with you until you feel better. Don't be ashamed to ask them for help! Then talk, play cards, watch a funny movie, listen to music-anything that keeps you from feeling worse and that may potentially provide you some relief. 
• Do some simple things that you usually enjoy, like reading (if you can focus well enough), viewing a beautiful picture, playing with your pet, painting or drawing (coloring books may seem elementary, but it is very relaxing to color), or writing in your journal. 

In a later section I will discuss more ways of coping and feeling better. As you learn what helps you to feel better, and as you take action to help yourself, you will find that you spend more time feeling well and less time feeling badly. 

Crisis Hotline Numbers

For caring and nonjudgmental support with issues such as depression, anxiety, suicide, relationship problems, domestic abuse, family stressors, financial troubles, and more:


1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433


1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255


1-800-799-4TTY
1-800-799-4889
(For hearing and speech impaired)


1-800-PPD-MOMS
1-800-773-6667
(Postpartum Depression)


CrisisChat.org
(Anonymous chat room-hours vary)