How do you know if you suffer from depression?

Question

I think i might have depression but im not sure.....i feel very down, and sometimes i just want to cry......i know it started when i was at work..i had a really really bad day and i just put it down to that, but the feeling wont go away and now i dont know why i feel like crying. I also seem to be very emotional at the moment, and tiny things can bother me..were as they didnt before.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

why dont you see a councellor and get a few things off ya chest? im pretty much like that,i have good days and bad and its amazing how much my moods vary.hope things work out for you sweet knicks! x

Answer 2

This could be a natural stress reaction to a bad time at work, plus being overtired and overworked.

Try and make sure that you have something fun each day to look forward to - can be something simple like reading a favourite book on the way home; a treat to eat; a favourite film on the TV; a lazy bath before bed; an inexpensive bit of jewellery or new lipstick. The l'Oreal slogan - 'because you're worth it' - applies to lots of little treats not just their products!
Take the lunch breaks and holidays you are entitled to. Make sure your family pull their weight around the house.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep and try and find someone to talk to. You must not be too proud or controlled and find someone to confide in - family or best friend. If that does not feel right, try a counsellor.

Depression is something clinical that goes on and on without a cause or after the original cause has passed. The emotion-controlling chemicals in your brain are out of balance. You may not even be aware that you are depressed.

If you think you may be depressed rather than just stressed, then you should go to the doctor.

Answer 3

It certainly sounds as though you are suffering from mild depresson from what you have said. If you have been feeling this way for more than a month and it isnt linked to your periods then I would advise you to visit your doctor to talk it through with him.There are even herbal treatments such as St John Wort which are widely believed to help mild depression.
Depression can vary greatly between people.
In the mean time get exercise everyday 10 -20 minutes will be fine nothing heavy a quick walk. Get some natural daylight and ensure that you are eating a healthy diet avoid alcohol as this is a known depressant.
Try and plan something nice. Do fun things put on your favourite music and sing at the top of your lungs.
Good luck and I wish you all the best with tackling this.

Answer 4

Sounds like you might be headed that way. Nip it in the bud and get some counselling now (ring the Samaritans, they're always good for a random moan), or visit the doctor. Also, you could make a list of all the things that are bothering you right now (and I mean EVERYTHING), then think of ways you could change the situation. For me, I hate being plied with drugs when I know the simple answer is working out what's wrong in my life, then sussing out how to sort it.

Also, if you can have a break away for a couple of days to clear your head, it might do you some good.

Answer 5

Depression is so rampant is today's society. I mean look at our world, sadness everywhere. What age are you and could you maybe be going Thur the change? Your symptoms do sound like depression, I've been there. However, this time of year it is normal. The summer over and we don't get as much daylight, so we don't get as much sunlight and sun is very good for each of us to prevent depression. You have to be honest with yourself and get to the root of it. Go to a doctor, and see. You could also maybe go to a tanning bed because of the rays it does help with depression. It's a scientific fact. Anyway, good luck and just get honest and seek out Gods grace and just talk to others, don't keep things bottled up. I truly feel for you.

Answer 6

There are many symptoms of depression as it affects people differently. Some of the most common are changes in appetite and sleep patterns, inability to make decisions and constant feelings of major unhappiness. Visit this website for all the information you will need: www.depressionet.com.au. There is also a forum there which you will find very welcoming and supportive.

If you are having any suicidal thoughts, get to a dr immediately, and try not to be alone in the meantime.

Answer 7

I think if you feel like that for over a week it may well be depression. You could look into therapy. Try to work out exactly what it is that is upsetting you. But the fact that it originates from a specific day means that it you will soon get over whatever it was, and carry on as normal.

Answer 8

it could be depression if you really want it to be. or it could just be a bad patch. i was put on anti depressents, made me worse. the only thing that could pull me out of it was myself. you really dont want to go down the road of pills and shrinks. the strongest medication is already in you, you just gotta find it. Everytime you cry write down a reason why you cried. later come back to it and write down how you can avoid that happening next time. Think positive. Life sucks at times but there is always someone worse off than you. Give yourself a goal to work to : )
(have you done a pregnancy test? My sister was very emotional in her early stages of pregnancy)

Answer 9

it doesn't necessarily have to be depression, you could just be tired. find out for yourself how you've been sleeping lately. or it could be stress for something you don't think you could be nervous about but are,.. get me???
think about carefully and keep an open mind. however, if it really is depression, find yourself something fun to do. go see some good friends or family members with whom you have very close contact. tell them how you feel, tell them you're worried, let them hear you out, just talking about it can help.
if it doesn't, go out, it doesn't have to be on a (long) holiday, it can be a day out, go do something you really love doing, with someone you really love/ like. this might cheer you up enough to let go of the feeling of sadness. if you can let go for just one day, that's the start to ending a depression, even thuogh many people don't believe in this, i know it's true (i'm talking out of experience so i know what i'm talking about). if this still doesn't help (just be carefull, it takes some time), then you can go see a doctor or shrink and either take sessions and talk about it, or take medicasion. but i would leave those last two options for last, you don't wanna go there unless you really have to. try to fix it yourself with help from friends/ family first, trust me, you'll regret it if you don't!
good luck!

Answer 10

Depression comes in many forms and may go un-noticed even by the sufferer for many years - first signs may be mood swings, lack of interest in daily events, sleeping too much to suicidal feelings etc etc - many doctors will just prescribe pills, however this will only provide a short term fix. Counselling would be necessary for any deep rooted problems.

Answer 11

Mood Disorders
Mild-to-Moderate Depression
According to the DSM-IV, mild-to-moderate depression-termed dysthymic disorder-is marked by milder signs of depression than major depression, but the signs of depression are prolonged and protracted.

Dysthymia is characterized by depressed mood for most of the day, on more days than not, for at least two years. Additionally, a diagnosis of dysthymia requires the presence of at least two of these symptoms of depression while depressed:
poor appetite or overeating
trouble sleeping or over-sleeping
fatigue, loss of energy, or tired all the time
low self-esteem
impaired concentration and difficulty making decisions
feelings of hopelessness and helplessness


Learn more about the signs of depression by taking the RealAge depression test.