how do you no when your depressed?

Question

okay, it seems like im never happy anymore. but i dont no if im depressed or what

Answer 1

Some clues:

Inability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping, changes in weight, lethargy, overwhelming feelings of hopelessness.

Check here: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm

Also, if you think you might be depressed, please just talk to your family doctor about it. He can prescribe anti-depressants and you can take it from there. You've got nothing to lose and only happiness to gain.

Answer 2

when you don't smile or laugh anymore, when you don't go out and socialise at all, when you cry often and feeling like killing yourself. These are the kind of things depression brings about, if you don't feel these things then you are not suffering depression. If you are, see a psychiatrist. But it's a beautiful day today (well it is here), suns out, birds are singing, if you have a busy life take the time to take a break from it and go outside and read a book or take a walk. You'll be surprised how much this will clear the head. There was a stage where i thought that i was suffering depression and i realised that i wasn't, i was just suffering from a little sadness, and what helped me get over that was my family and my God. Try and do the unexpected today okay.....SMILE!!!! =)

Answer 3

Everyone gets "the blues" sometimes. Clinical depression is a sad feeling that never goes away, a lack of interest in activities that you used to enjoy. You really should see a doctor to talk about your feelings. Other things it might be? Your diet (are you eating healthy foods? If not, this definitely can affect your mood.) Exercise (are you getting exercise, if not you may feel lethargic & have no energy), sleep (are you getting enough? Sleep deprivation is brutal & if you're tired all the time it feels like being depressed). Also, with winter around the corner it may be SAD seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression caused by a lack of sunlight. I think I have a touch of this myself. I always feel a little melancholy in the winter. It's so cold & grey & blah for months at a stretch. It may be a situational depression if you've gone through any sort of a loss recently.

Anyway, speak with a doctor & talk to friends & family (anyone you trust) about how you feel. They may have some helpful input.

Hope you feel better. Take care.

Answer 4

Severe depression is like having no energy.

You wake up in the morn, but have no motivation to do anything but just lay there. You sit for hours, contemplating about if you should get up or not, eat or not. It's like you weigh so much more than usual. You may not have self destructive thoughts, but you find no interest in things you use to have fun doing.

Stress or events can trigger depression (or genetics).

I have found that this helps me combat depression:

Herb: Saw Palmetto (used for prostrate help in men, but a side effect is it helps with depression)
Omega 3 Oils (I use from flaxseed - don't like the fish taste effect of the other derivative)
Exercise! Lotsa - to release endorphins
and lotsa love from your family and friends

A good book from Rick Warren called "The Purpose Driven Life" helped me to stop being so self absorbed.

My best to you!

Answer 5

People usually don't know when they are depressed. They know when they are unhappy about something. Vitamin deficiencies, menstrual periods, anemia, drug use, alcohol use, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and several other things can cause depressive type behavior.

Go to a doctor but be careful. Depression is often misdiagnosed leading to unnecessary mind altering drug prescriptions which can make matters worse. Always get a second opinion before going on this type of medication.

Answer 6

Absence of happiness is not depression.
When we are depressed, every movement seems burdensome.
Even the mind seems too heavy to carry the burden of continuing a thought ! What we usually enjoy , like a familiar song, music, words of a person we like, all seem to have a reverse effect instead of cheering up.

Answer 7

You have no interest in anything you use to enjoy doing before , you refuse to talk to anyone or go out with friends. You cry, you don't eat, you sleep more than usual. You have aches and pains, headaches. Not a very good feeling.

Answer 8

Dear depressed:

Your answer is an individual determination. Only you can answer the question "am I depressed?" When you have chosen, then reality will be revealed to you. Your perception of reality is reality.

Answer 9

You probably just have "the blues", but if you are not sure, check the symtoms of depression and it's different types.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=2

It happens to me too, and when it happens I really wonder if I am depressed and need help, but it allways turns out that I have my monthy hormone attack or I'm just bored...

Take an online test to see how depressed you are!
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html

Answer 10

go to a phychiatrist (sp?) or something if you think you're depressed. And also when you're depressed, like your unhappy for like no reason, so make sure there isn't a reason or something