And while identifying and managing diagnosable mental illness is a priority in the psychiatric community, psychological help for those without a clear condition to manage can be just as important. Aside from suffering needlessly, those in distress may actually make the problem worse by avoiding professional help.
"The earlier someone gets help, the easier it is to get through the problem," says psychologist Daniel J. Reidenberg. "There will be less time and less strain and stress involved in that.