i think im depressed wot are some signs?

Answer 1

Depression
Depression is very common and everyone feels fed up, sad, unhappy, miserable at times. Sometimes we know that there is a cause for our depression - maybe we have just broken up from a relationship, maybe someone we were close to has died, we may have failed exams, we may be ill - but other times there doesn't seem to be one cause - it may be a build up of problems, feeling unable to cope with life and we are not really sure why.

When depression is very severe some people can feel that life isn't worth living, they want to die. When depression doesn't go away it is important to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help but a sign of strength to recognise that you have these feelings and are unable to cope. Many people find at some stage in their life that it is hard to cope as well as they used to. You don't have to be strong all the time - recognise when you are finding it difficult to cope and need support.

People can get a variety of symptoms when they feel very depressed.

General feelings of unhappiness which don't go away.

Having no interest in life.

Finding it difficult to concentrate and make even easy decisions.

Having no feeling of enjoyment in life.

Not wanting to go out or mix with people but spending a lot of time on your own.

Feeling very tired and having no energy.

Finding it difficult to sleep and waking up frequently during the night.

Having no appetite and eating very little

Losing self confidence and feeling worthless.

Being very irritable, anxious, impatient.

Feeling very negative about life.

Having suicidal thoughts.

If you are depressed don't bottle it up - it is important you talk to someone - family, friend, teacher, youth leader, GP, organisation, helpline etc. - anyone you feel you can trust If you don't share how you are feeling you may find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies which will in the long run only add to your problems and make you feel worse - some people may start drinking alcohol more, may take drugs, may start self harming and cutting themselves, may stop eating or binge eating and making themselves sick.

You may find that counselling will help you as this will give you a safe space to talk to someone who is especially trained. This will help you to say how you really feel inside and the counsellor will work with you to help you find solutions and healthy coping strategies and to look at the reasons behind your depression. This will give you a better understanding of your feelings and some support in working through anything which is troubling you. If you find that counselling doesn't work for you then it would be an idea to see your GP and discuss with him other ways of helping you with your depression.

Talking to others and counselling and therapy can help but to pull yourself out of a depression you need to do a lot of work yourself. When you are depressed you may feel you have no control over your life but you do still have choices. You can choose to stay depressed and not eat properly, not exercise, stay in bed all day, etc. or you can choose to try and help yourself to get out of the depression . If you take care of yourself physically it will help you to feel stronger emotionally and to cope more easily with life. Just as a car needs petrol to work properly so does your body need nutrients from food so although you may not feel like eating please try and eat healthily and drink plenty of water.

Sometimes when we are depressed life can seem very negative and black - it can be easy to forget that there are beautiful things in the world surrounding us. Try and get out each day into an open space, park, forest, lake etc. and just take in the beauty of your surroundings, and try and be at one with nature. This can help keep things in perspective and lift your mood.

Set yourself small goals - maybe each day try and write down something you want to do the following day and try and follow this through. The more active you are the less time you will have to focus on your depression. Try and interact with other people when you can as if you totally isolate yourself and cut yourself off from the outside world you could find your depression gets more severe.

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What Can I do To Help Myself
Don't bottle things up - find someone to talk to about how you are feeling.
Make sure you get plenty of exercise and plenty of fresh air. You will find that even if you do a quick walk every day and a short period of other exercise each day you will start to feel physically and emotionally stronger and more able to cope.
Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet - eat little and often and don't skip meals. If you are not eating properly you will feel more depressed and listless.
Try and keep busy - to keep your mind occupied.
Do things you enjoy to relax, treat yourself and take care of yourself.
Try and get to bed at a regular time. If you find it difficult to sleep listen to the radio/TV/read and you may find you drop off to sleep more easily.
Don't resort to unhealthy ways of dealing with your problems like drinking, taking drugs, cutting, eating disorders.
Ask for help when you need it.
Try to stop thinking in a negative way - when you think a negative thought try and replace it with a positive one.
If you need a hug ask someone you trust - this can make you feel that someone really does care how you are feeling.
Remember depression is very common - you will not always feel like this - you will come out of it and be able to enjoy life.

If your depression is severe and you are having thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life it is important you talk to someone immediately about how you are feeling. If you are a child or young person speak to your parents about how you are feeling. They would want to know how you feel and to support you and look at ways of helping. Talk to your GP and make him aware of what is going on for you. It is very difficult to deal with severe depression on your own - you need help and support and in some cases your GP may advise medication.

ENDING YOUR LIFE AND HARMING YOURSELF IS NEVER THE ANSWER. YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU AND WILL NOT ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THIS.

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Agencies which offer support and information
SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 020 8554 9004 (Helpline), email [e-mail] - Confidential emotional support to Children Young People and Adults. Also keeps details of agencies, support groups and counsellors throughout UK.

Association for Post Natal Illness: 020 7386 0868, www.apni.org, [e-mail] - To advise and support women suffering from post natal illness. Running a network of volunteers to support sufferers throughout the UK.

Aware Defeat Depression: 08451 202961, email [e-mail] - Support, information or a listening ear for all those affected by depressive illnesses.

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Area served SCOTLAND), www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk - Helpline for young men 12-40 years who are experiencing difficulties and unhappiness in their lives and for their friends and family.

CALL Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales): 0800 132737, www.callhelpline.org.uk - Mental health helpline for Wales providing confidential listening support service.

Childline: 0800 1111, www.childline.org.uk.

Crossline Central: 0845 658 0045 (Area served SCOTLAND) - Christian based helpline and counselling service for the general public and people in crisis.

DABS Mail-Order Book Catalogue: 01709 860023 - Wide range of books including those on depression, self esteem assertiveness, self harm, child abuse.

Depression Alliance: 0845 123 2320, email [e-mail], www.depressionalliance.org - Confidential listening and support service. Also offer a range of information on depression and treatment options. National network of self help groups for people experiencing depression. National pen friend scheme offering support and fellowship to people with depression and their carers. Quarterly newsletter, booklets and leaflets on depression.

Depression Alliance Scotland: 0845 123 2320 (Area served SCOTLAND), www.depressionalliance.org - Telephone information and other support for people affected by depression. Information about symptoms and treatment, listening support and signposting to other agencies.

Depression Support Group Association ( London based): 020 7328 8391, www.depressionalternatives.co.uk - Helping people whose lives have been distorted by insecurity, loneliness, shyness, unsatisfactory relationships to find alternatives to depression. Groups in London convened by professional counsellors/psychotherapists. Meet in a friendly, sociable environment and offer members route to a more fulfilling life, develop self esteem and confidence and learn how their emotional needs can be met more fully. Fee £15 per week, concessions students/unemployed. Also run Shyness & Social Anxiety Programme and Personal Relationships programme, Men's Group to strengthen men's sense of themselves. Also individual therapy.

Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous (FDA): 01702 433838, PO Box FDA, Self Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham NG1 2EG UK wide self help organisation made up of individual members and groups which meet locally on a regular basis for mutual support. £10 yearly membership (reductions for those who cannot afford that amount).

Get Connected: 0808 800 4994, email [e-mail], www.getconnected.org.uk - Free telephone and email helpline finding young people the best help whatever the problem. Can connect a child or young person to any UK helpline where appropriate.

Hope in Crisis Telephone Line: 028 9446 9990 (Area served NORTHERN IRELAND) - Christian based organisation offering listening support and ministry for anyone in crisis.

The London Shyness Clinic: 020 7289 4317, www.shyness.co.uk - Therapy and counselling to overcome shyness and gain confidence.

Manic Depression Fellowship: 0845 634 0540, email [e-mail], www.mdf.org.uk - Advice and information for people with manic depression and their families, carers and mental health professionals. Supply a range of information leaflets, books and tapes. Network of self help groups for people with manic depression, relatives and friends. Self management training programme.

The Maytree: 020 7263 7070 - Sanctuary for the suicidal offering befriending and support (based in N.London).

The Mental Health Foundation: 020 7803 1100, email [e-mail], www.mhf.org.uk - Publish a booklet 'Understanding Depression'.

Meet A Mum Association: (MAMA) 0845 120 6162, www.mama.org.uk, email [e-mail] - To support mothers and mothers to be by putting them in touch with other mothers living nearby. Also provide one to one support and social activities.

Mind (National Association for Mental Health): 0845 766 0163, email [e-mail], www.mind.org.uk - Publish booklets relating to Depression.

Muslim Youth Helpline: 0808 808 2008, email [e-mail], www.myh.org.uk (Area served London). Helpline providing culturally sensitive support to Muslim youth under the age of 25. Outreach services including family mediation, face to face counselling and befriending.

National Youth Advocacy Service: 0800 616101, email [e-mail], www.nyas.net - Provides information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to young people up to the age of 25 through a network of advocates throughout England and Wales.

Premier Lifeline: 0845 345 0707, email [e-mail], www.premier.org.uk/lifeline - Christian run helpline offering information and a listening ear to the general public on a range of emotional and spiritual issues.

SAD Association: 01903 814 942, www.sada.org.uk - To inform the public about seasonal affective disorder. To support and advise sufferers of the illness. Limited light box hire scheme. Supply contacts list for members.

Samaritans:0845 790 90 90, email [e-mail], www.samaritans.org.

Self Help Services: (Manchester area) 0161 226 5412, email [e-mail], www.selfhelpservices.org.uk - Run over thirty support groups for people with mental health problems or are in need of emotional support, including groups relating to depression.

Stress Anxiety Depression - Confidential Helpline: 01622 717656 - Advice, information on self help strategies, relaxation, exercise, nutrition, cognitive therapy etc.

Voice for the Child In Care: 0808 800 5792, email [e-mail], www.vcc-uk.org - Telephone advice, information and advocacy services for children in care. Helpline for care leavers - 0808 100 3224. Visiting advocacy service for children in secure units and other residential homes.

Who Cares? Linkline: 0500 564 570, email [e-mail], www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk - Helpline offering information and support for young people who are or have been in care.

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Useful websites
www.channel4.com/health - information on depression, anxiety, mental health etc

www.depressioninteenagers.co.uk – An interactive site with resources for young people with depression, using self help ideas and relaxation techniques

www.foodandmood.org - a site which explores the relationship of what you eat and how you feel

www.healthyplace.com - information and support for those suffering from depression (American site)

www.netdoctor.co.uk - lots of useful information

www.patient.co.uk - self help guides under mental health leaflets on depression

www.pendulum.org (American site) - online support group for people with manic depression (bipolar disorder)

www.pni.org.uk - website set up by women who are suffering or have suffered with post natal illness, information, email support partner, chatroom

www.surgerydoor.co.uk - click on 'medical conditions', click on 'mental health', then 'depression' for information

www.theblackdog.net - supportive site for men who suffer from depression and/or suicidal thoughts

www.There4me.com - website for 12-16 year olds, confidential online advice

www.www.touchingminds.org - peer support for those who suffer from mood disorders, depression, anxiety

www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk - website for young people

Answer 2

I don't agree with the person who says that you know if you are depressed. I think probably the person asking the question is feeling bad at the moment but doesn't know what is meant by the clinical term 'depression', or is wondering if someone they know needs help.

That long list of symptoms is about right. Everyone feels depressed at some point or other but there's a different between short-term feeling down (say after a breakup) and a long-term or recurrent problem.

Check out a list of symptoms on the Mind website. If you have symptoms and they've been going on more than a month and are really affecting your life, then go to your family doctor. Take a friend with you if that will help, and write down the problems you've been having as you can tend to forget everything when you see the doctor. Talk to people, supportive friends as well, that helps. If your doctor isn't helpful, try another one, you have the right to change. The doctor will either advise counselling or antidepressants. Personally I'd try counselling first as antidepressants can have side effects, but are worth it in some cases.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Feeling sad all the time and don't know why, can't get good sleep. Your mind is always wandering, you don't really want to be around anyone. Go see a Dr. and tell him all your feelings. He will probably give you an anti depressant which takes a few weeks. Another person told you how evil Effexor
is. I take it and it works great for me so she probably had bad side effects. It is non narcotic she did not have to wean herself off of it. And if you miss a day nothing is going to happen just don't do it to often. There are many anti depressants. I had a bad reaction to Cymbalta but everyone's reaction to any meds are different. Hope this helped, and see a Dr ASAP

Answer 4

If you you are asking then you must not be too depressed.

If you are depressed you would know it.

You will feel sad all the time.

You don't want to talk to anyone.
You don't answer the phone.
You don't leave the house.

You don't want to do anything.

You might try to medicate this by drinking or taking pills or both. This is not the solution.

You need to get help. I asked for help when I was this depressed, but never got it. One day I picked up a book that I had for a couple of years and started reading it and now I am not so sad and I stopped drinking completely and I much more happier.

The book was called the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

When you get depressed so badly, please ask for help, and hopefully you will get it. Or, before you get too depressed talk to your doctor so you can get help before it goes into what I typed above.

Answer 5

You're not depressed. If you were, you wouldn't have to ask. Signs: you don't want to get up in the morning or talk to anyone,; everything that happens reinforces your bad feeling; you feel that no-one understands; you see no end to it. There is only ONE solution: do something - anything - to take your mind off it. For me, it was work. It could also be a relationship or a hobby. Depression never goes away - you just hide it under something else.

Answer 6

Exhaustion on waking
Disrupted sleep, sometimes through upsetting dreams
Early morning waking and difficulty getting back to sleep
Doing less of what they used to enjoy
Difficulty concentrating during the day
Improved energy as the day goes on
Anxious worrying and intrusive upsetting thoughts
Becoming emotional or upset for no particular reason
Shortness of temper, or irritability

Answer 7

There are multiple kinds of disorders that deal with anxiety. Although most can manifest in similar ways, these disorders generally occur due to different events in your life. Natural home remedies for anxiety https://tr.im/BjxJK
Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and unnecessary worries about everyday, common events or activities, which can disrupt concentration and lead to other issues, such as depression.

Answer 8

Crying for no reason
a feeling of hoplessness
etc...feel like life is not worth living...
GO TO YOUR DOC AND FIND OUT IF IT REALLY IS DEPRESSION OR JUST THE BLUES FIRST
if u decide on meds...whtever you do dont go on EFFEXOR XR that is an EVIL drug...i wass on it for 3or 4 years and experinced awfull side effects when i ddnt take it for 1 day!!
horrible bouts of cying and depression, headaches and this weird electric shock sensation in my head called electric shock symdrome...I had to wean myself off of them and it was the most horrible experience in my life..
do your reseach on this med EFFEXOR XR and almost all youwl find is NEgative
good luck

Answer 9

crying,feeling sorry for yourself,disturbed sleep,

Answer 10

not being able to spell things