How long must feelings of low mood or hopelessness last to warrant professional advice seeking?
Answer
More than a couple of weeks
While occasional sadness or temporary functional dips are normal parts of life, persistent emotional distress signals a need to transition from self-management to seeking expert assistance. The threshold provided for contacting a medical professional or therapist is when feelings associated with low mood, deep sadness, or hopelessness maintain their intensity for a duration exceeding a couple of weeks. If symptoms persist beyond this timeframe, they might indicate a condition requiring specialized therapeutic intervention, diagnostic assessment, or pharmacological support that generalized self-help strategies cannot adequately address. This duration serves as a practical benchmark for escalating care.
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