How do you know if you need to see a doctor for anxiety or depression?

when it is getting in the way of your daily life, like not going outside, can't concentrating, wanting to isolate, and of course any thougths of harm. Blues are not felt everyday but depression and anxiety can have lasting effects.

Well, Coming from a family with mental health problems I should know, but I dont. I have Anxiety and OCD. My Mom has Bi-Poler. My bro has bi-poler skits, and ADD. Well, when they found out that I had anxiety disorder was when I was in 1st grade everyday i was cry before i had o go to school:/ it kept going until 4th grade when they took me to the Psychiatrists and they put me on some pills. thats all I know...

When life just does not seem worth living anymore. When you stop taking care of yourself. When you are about to die from lack of eating. When you sleep all the time.

Basically, when you are so down that it begins to interfere with your ability to survive.

But you could go anytime that you feel that you need to go and someone will suggest either medication (which has its ups and downs), therapy (which I would suggest because it tends to help), or point you in the way of readings that might provide breathing excercises, avoiding things or situations that act as triggers, unbeknownst to you, for your anxiousness, or advice on modifying your self-talk (you know, the things that you say to yourself in your head that tell you perhaps, "way to go dumb@$$, now look at what you did." or "nobody likes you, you may as well die." or whatever they may say.

It would really depend on your symptoms and how long you've been feeling them. If you have little or no interest in doing things, feel bad about yourself, feel like a failure, can't sleep or sleep too much or find yourself unable to concentrate on anything. It also depends on how long you've been feeling these things. A day or two, for weeks, years?

If you are concerned about it, then go see your doctor and get some proper advice.

If your everyday life is being negatively effected for a few months. Your behavior has to last for several months in order to receive a diagnosis. However a therapist can work with anyone who is overwhelmed with emotions, not just based on a diagnosis.

If your sadness interferes with your ability to function normally on a regular basis, you need to see a doctor.

I would go see a therapist she or he can help with your problems, and tell you if you have anxiety or depression or both.

Read this story. This girl had the same experience:

http://www.anxietysolution.info/