Key Signs It’s Time to Consult a Doctor
While grief is a normal process, there are times when it can become overwhelming and negatively impact your health in a serious way. It is crucial to recognize the signs that indicate you need professional help. Your well-being is the priority, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Please consult your doctor or a mental health professional immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Thoughts of harming yourself: If you are having thoughts of suicide or that life is not worth living, please seek help immediately. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to connect with a trained counselor.
- Inability to perform daily tasks: If weeks have passed and you are still unable to manage basic self-care like bathing, dressing, or preparing simple meals, it is time to see a doctor.
- Intense feelings of guilt or worthlessness: While some guilt can be a normal part of grief, overwhelming feelings that you are worthless or that you could have prevented the death require professional support.
- Lack of improvement over time: While grief has no set timeline, if your intense, debilitating symptoms do not begin to ease at all after several months, you may be experiencing complicated grief, which benefits from professional treatment.
- Significant physical symptoms: If you experience persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, significant and unintentional weight loss or gain, or chronic digestive issues, see your primary care physician to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
- Substance misuse: Using alcohol, prescription medication, or other substances to numb your pain is a dangerous coping mechanism that requires professional intervention.
Your family doctor is an excellent first point of contact. They can assess your physical health and refer you to a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist who specializes in grief and bereavement.
