When professionals are needed: signs and contacts

Self-help ends where illness begins. Red flags: 2+ weeks of emptiness/apathy, loss of pleasure (anhedonia), nightly sleep disruption, thoughts “everyone would be better without me”, panic attacks, alcohol “to sleep”. These are not weakness — they are symptoms like fever with flu. In Germany: 112/110 for acute danger, 116117 (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) — fast help without appointment, Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222 — free, anonymous, 24/7.

• ●Hausarzt is the first address: refers to therapist or psychiatrist
• ●Waiting months for a Termin is normal: 116117 finds free slots
• ●Friend in crisis: listen, don’t judge, give the number — don’t leave alone