How do you know if it is depression?

Question

I have been feeling extremely sad the last week or two (possibly longer, I haven't really kept track). I don't know if it is because of circumstances or if I truly am depressed. At this point it feels pretty severe. I have been crying for about 3 hours tonight, and can't seem to stop. I have never cried for this long.

I don't know if it is due to circumstances. Lately I have felt like I don't want to be a mom, which is horrible. I love my daughter more than anything, but I am a single parent, and I often times just don't want to do it anymore. I feel rejected by everyone around me and don't know what to do to change it.

Answer 1

The best way to find out if it's depression is to see your doctor and have this checked out. If you are depressed then he/she can treat you for this.

I used to work as a psych RN in hospitals for 20 years. I'm not bragging, I just say this to get some credibility. Unfortunately, most of the people that answer questions in this forum have good intentions but know nothing about psychology or psychiatry.

The fact that you no longer want to be a mother and think that it's terrible to think that way is because that the thoughts and feelings are caused by the stress and burn out and not because you really feel that way.

Some woman have terrible times with their premenstrual moods, but this can also because of PMS being on top of the depression. My x-wife was like that. For 1 week before her period, her and the world were falling about. After enduring this for years, she started on Prozac and those symptoms disappeared.

Questions like this are serious enough that they should always be checked out by your doctor.

Answer 2

I know exactly how you feel. I've been feeling depressed for the last three months. I'm currently overseas and everyone I love is at home and I feel like I'm not accomlishing much professionally here at the same time which adds up. Eventually, you start feeling like you're wasting time and that the world around you is falling apart.

The doctors say that if such feelings like what you or I are having last more than a few weeks then it could be a sign of depression. Is there a history of depression in your family? How often do you have such negative feelings? Chances are, if it's common or there is a history then you may have it yourself. I know because I feel I got my depression from my mother and maybe my dad to a certain degree.

Anyway, it would be best to have it checked out if the feelings persists, by a doctor or a psychologist if the feelings persist. I know it sounds extreme, but I was in a situation several years ago that I was going through a bout of depression and it wasn't being treated or taken care of properly and I was on the verge of suicide because I couldn't handle the problems I was facing - which really there wasn't any.

I'm not saying it'll happen to you, but if you've been down and especially crying for three hours then there is some psychological malfunction which may need to be treated either by medication OR maybe even a person who is willing to listen to you. I would start there. Talk to a trusted confident and see if you feel better after letting out your feelings and concerns. You'd be surprised how well it works. This is a good route to take in my opinion before seeing the professionals.

-Kris

Answer 3

i have experienced depression and I'm a borderline since like 13 yrs of age. This is how i feel all the time, i get sad a lot, think bad thoughts, i do cut myself sometimes (haven't for a while) and cry off of little things that trigger bad emotions like a TV show. I am more sensitive than the typical person. Depression doesn't include the things i have mentioned i am just letting you know what i go through and this is a daily battle for me some days I'm okay and only get sad for a few moments sometimes it gets bad but i have learned ways to control my emotions a lot more...i have to now that I'm pregnant with my first kid.

I know that if you experience sadness even 3 days out of the week continually you are experiencing depression weather its triggered by an even or situation in your life. If these feelings persist i would talk to someone because no matter why you feel the way you do there is a way to feel better.

Answer 4

I've been there, hon. Believe me, my husband was gone due to military service, and I have spent the better part of my son's first two years of life as an acting single parent. No one diagnosed my depression though until a year and a half later. One good way to tell if it is depression is if you just don't enjoy your child's laughter. This was a key thing for me...I just didn't enjoy playing with him. If you think it is depression, please go see your doctor or counselor. Get on some medication, as this helped me right away. I was on Zoloft for 3 months. I was able to come off of the Zoloft rather easily, and without any withdrawal symptoms. I noticed an immediate change in how I felt about being a mom, as well as just daily interaction with my son became enjoyable again. Please go talk to someone. You can get help and feel better, and remember that you are not alone.

Answer 5

Are you a new mother? What are the circumstances you are not mentioning? Depression shows its ugly face in different ways. First if you are a single parent life for you and child is no doubt difficult. If you have no one to listen to you nor help you or stand by you it is not easy! I think since you are questioning if you are depressed, you must feel your circumstances have something to do with your emotions. You can keep track of your periods, often it can be pre period even 14 days before, need to keep track on the calender and journal your thoughts and emotions. Talk to a therapist, if you can not afford it check with your local mental health clinic, sometimes other organizations can offer help. You do not have to go through this alone ! Share your feelings with someone who will give you emotional support. Find help and not on the inter-net. Best of luck!

Answer 6

I'm not surprised that you feel the way you do. It's quite understandable and yes, it is depression. Sounds to me like "situational depression". Which is better than chronic depression because you can more easily do something about it. Here are my suggestions: 1) Do the best you can to change your circumstances for the better. Choose one achievable goal and do it, no matter how small. 2) Get some regular exercise -- sit down and meditate or pray while you are out excercising. 3) Choose to think positively. 4) Investigate using St. Johnswort -- it's a mild antidepressant that seems to work only in the amount you need it to with no (for me) perceived side effects.

I read one of the responses to your question which told you to "just snap out of it". This is bad advice. You can't just snap out of it. Depression is a chemical imbalance which needs to be corrected. The techniques I've described above will help, but ultimately, I ask that you seek medical advice from your doctor. Ask for a balanced approach -- don't just let them throw chemicals at you. You have situations that need to be corrected which, in turn, will help lead you out of depression.

Answer 7

How old is your child? Post natel depression can sometimes take a long time to rear it's ugly head! I was told I had it when my daughter was 6 months old. Go to the doctor or health visitor and talk to them, they can really help. You may need anti-depressants. They may also put you in touch with a counseller or a group. Don't feel guilty about how you feel towards your child, feelings like that are quite normal if you have depression. Get help and support from the doctor and health visitor on Monday. When I attended a group of mothers with depression I felt so much better knowing that I was not alone and other mums felt the same way! Take care of yourself. xxx

Answer 8

It all depends if there's a reason for your sadness. If there isn't a particular reason--i.e., the death of a loved one or the cancellation of a beloved television show or something else--then you may have cause for some concern. However, clinical depression isn't something that often comes with you from childhood, so if you've normally had a sunny disposition it's a good possibility that this is merely temporary.

If you're eating, sleeping, and working normally, you're probably okay, but if you're simply seized by sadness and can't find your way out, guess what?

Give it about ten more days, and then consider checking with a counselor at your local public health clinic or somewhere.

Answer 9

Depression creeps up on you and you will never know it. If you are crying for that long and don't know why, yeah, it's probably depression. I had to be told by a telephone operator that I had it after I told her all my symptoms. Apparently depression and gall bladder malfunction are quite similar in symptoms. However, if you are feeling like you don't want to be a Mom, losing interest in things you usually love, unable to get out of bed or falling asleep in the middle of a busy day, you probably have it and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. I hope this helps and if you need any more answers, feel free to contact me. Good luck!!!

Answer 10

Visit this website and take this test:

http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html

It's hard to say, but the rule of thumb is that if any emotion (anger, sadness, fear, etc.) is causing a material change in your day to day life, you should assume that you need some level of help.

You mentioned a daughter. If she is newborn, it could be post-partum depression. If not, it could be depression or something such a Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Regardless, better safe than sorry. If you live near a hospital with a behavioral health facility, stop in and get some literature or ask for an evaluation. Otherwise, look for crisis lines in the phone book. The goal is to assess and act definitively.

You'll be OK, but you may need help to get to OK. Look for it, accept it, and pursue it. Life is to short to guess at this type of thing.