5 min readUpdated 13 September 2026Reviewed by the Veera's Global clinical team
Duration, intensity and interference
Clinicians rarely judge a difficulty by how dramatic it looks. They look at three things: how long it has lasted, how intense it is, and how much it interferes with ordinary life.
A hard fortnight after a loss or a deadline is a human response. The same feelings still present after several weeks, at a level that changes how you work, sleep or relate to people, is worth a professional conversation.
Signs worth taking seriously
Any one of these on its own may mean little. Several together, sustained over weeks, is a reasonable reason to book an assessment.
- Low mood, irritability or emptiness on most days for more than two weeks.
- Worry you cannot switch off, or panic attacks.
- Sleep that has been broken, delayed or excessive for weeks.
- Loss of interest in things that used to matter to you.
- Appetite or weight changing without you intending it.
- Concentration slipping enough that work or study is affected.
- Withdrawing from people and declining things you would normally do.
- Drinking more, or using substances or screens to get through the evening.
- Physical symptoms — headaches, gut problems, fatigue — with no medical explanation.
Signs that should not wait
Some situations need attention now rather than at the next convenient slot: thoughts of ending your life, thoughts of harming someone else, hearing or seeing things others do not, being unable to eat or care for yourself, or a sudden change in behaviour that frightens the people around you.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number or a crisis helpline straight away. In India, the 24/7 suicide prevention helpline is +91 98401 21841. An online appointment is not an emergency service.
You do not need to justify it
A common reason people delay is the belief that others have it worse. Severity is not a queue, and clinicians do not rank suffering. If something has been weighing on you long enough that you are reading about it, that is reason enough to ask.
The first appointment commits you to nothing beyond a conversation. You can leave it with reassurance, with a plan, or with a referral — all three are useful outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
What if I am not sure it is serious enough?
Book an assessment and say exactly that. Part of a clinician's job is to tell you when something does not need treatment.
How do I raise this with someone I am worried about?
Describe what you have noticed rather than diagnosing, say you are concerned, and offer to help them make the appointment. Avoid ultimatums unless there is immediate risk.
Important
This article is general information and does not replace a personal clinical assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Veera's Global is not an emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number or a crisis helpline straight away.