When Is It Time to Refer?
Characteristics of Typical Distress and Distress Requiring Professional Attention
Consider talking to a professional for help if:​
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Your distress leads to dangerous thoughts or behavior, such as considering suicide or physically harming your body. If you have an emergency medical situation, call 911.
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Your distress lasts for a long time (weeks, months or years).
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Your distress seems out of proportion to your problems.
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You feel distressed frequently, and you are not sure why.
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You continue feeling bad even when good things happen.
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You find that distress interferes with your ability to live life the way you want to live it.
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You feel a need to use alcohol or drugs in order to feel better.
Typical Distress
Usually begins to subside after a few hours or days
Usually has an identifiable cause, such as:
- Having an argument with a friend or loved one
- Performing poorly on a major test or assignment
- Receiving disappointing news
- Finding out a friend lied to you
Usually has a reasonable intensity given the circumstances:
- Crying for a few days after a romantic breakup
- Feeling butterflies in your stomach before a major
exam or presentation
- Not talking to a friend for a time after he/she
betrays your trust
Gets better, at least briefly, when something good happens
Distress Requiring
Professional Attention
Often does not subside for weeks, months, or even years
Might not have a clearly identifiable cause:
- Crying frequently without knowing why
- Having angry outbursts at others for no apparent
reason
- Feeling anxious in situations that are usually
considered non-threatening
Is often out of proportion to the circumstances:
- Feeling worthless or hopeless
- Angry outbursts over small problems
- Avoiding classes or social situations because they
make you feel very anxious
- Diminished joy toward things they once enjoyed
Might not get better even when something good happens