am i LONELY or am i DEPRESSED?

Question

how would i know the difference?
or maybe im just over analyzing everything.

Answer 1

Some signs of depression are:
-Depressed mood
-Loss of appetite for food
-Difficulty sleeping or sleeping much more than usual
-A sense of helplessness and hopelessness
-Thoughts about suicide
-Loss of interest in the activities of daily living (work, play, time with family and friends)
-Unusual irritability
-Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
-Diminished ability to think or concentrate

Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Loneliness is more than just the feeling of wanting company or wanting to do something with another person. Loneliness is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected from, and alienated towards, other people. The lonely person may find it difficult or even impossible to have any form of meaningful human contact. Lonely people often experience a subjective sense of inner emptiness or hollowness, with feelings of separation or isolation from the world.

After reading this you would have to decide what description best matches you. Personally, the depression symptom that says that depressed people have a diminished ability to think does not apply to you. Enki, you make me think and question things around me. I hope you figure out which of the two you are because it isn't fun to be in either state. Remember that there are people out there that care for you(like me). God bless and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Answer 2

See if hanging out with people makes you feel better. I'm sure there are lots of websites that will tell you the signs of depression. Some are being tired, feeling guilty, hopeless, unmotivated....

I think people still experience short times of feeling alone in the world and may have people all around them. You might try talking to someone you trust about your feeling lonely. Maybe they feel the same way sometimes.

Answer 3

Do you feel worthless, hopeless and/or miserable when you wake up in the morning when there's been no recent, significant incident that would justify such a feeling? Does this happen on a regular basis?

Are you sleeping a lot, or very little? Are you typically reluctant to go to sleep because you feel you haven't done enough to justify your existence this day?

These are the symptoms of depression. They come from within your own mind, typically not from outside influences, and it's thoroughly miserable.

Loneliness can result from depression if you have a tendency to scare people away, but it can also come from circumstances; e.g., everyone went away on vacation or something, or you work or live alone.

Answer 4

If you overanalyze everything you make yourself depressed. You are focusing on negative thoughts. You don't have to be lonely or depressed. You can decide to be happy. You can learn to think positive. Enjoy your time in solitude. Do things you enjoy. Being alone doesn't have to be lonely. You can learn to love yourself & be happy with who you are. Enjoy your hobbies. You are only lonely or depressed if you see yourself that way. Choose to see yourself as calm & happy & enjoy the peace of solitude. Sometimes being around others is a burden & it can be a welcome break to be alone for a bit. It's a matter of perspective. The irony is that once you love yourself & enjoy your own company & feel that you don't need anyone, you begin to radiate a confidence that will draw people to you.

If you want to meet people however, you could get involved in activities & events that interest you & you may meet others with your interests. I met my boyfriend (a fellow singer/songwriter) at a bar where I was singing. Follow your dreams & you may meet the person of your dreams...

Answer 5

You would be depressed if you felt lonely (and sad) in a room full of people. Being lonely is different than being alone and since may people need human contact to bring about happiness it's normal to feel sad without others around. However, to feel lonely (and sad) with others around you would make one infer depression.

Answer 6

Loneliness can cause depression. I am going through the same thing right now. You might say I am young so I shouldn't worry but I feel super alone right now. Hell because I feel so lonely I have been on this yahoo answers a ton more. Good Luck...I know it isn't fun

Answer 7

Hi honey - google each of these and see what you come up with. Or better still, pick up the phone and call some one that you know you can talk to. im sure that there is some one you can ring and discuss this with. You are not the only one that feels like this from time to time. the trick is not to let it get to BIG. SO pick up the phone and call some one that you trust. Or ring a free counsler?? EVERY one goes through difficult times you are not alone. - i've just sent you a blow kiss

Answer 8

Sounds a little depressed.
The difference: you can be crossing the sea happily alone or you can be in a Mall full of people and feel completely lonely and depressed.

Just try to be happy.

Answer 9

You could be both. You could be depressed because you're lonely. It'll be interesting to read the responses...because, honestly -- I don't know. I'm battling depression myself...and lonliness has played a part I believe. Anyway...if you want to write me with further details...it'd be great to hear from you.

Answer 10

What came first ..............the chicken or the egg?
You have the same dilemma
Does it really matter.
Friendship can give you a feeling of self worth . You are needed. You have someone to talk and share your life.
Stop thinking ,start doing!!!!!
Get out there get busy doing things you enjoy and you will feel good about yourself and meet some friends.