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Discussion: What is Depression?
Member Since: 6/7/2011
Posts: 41,996
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Quote:
Originally posted by KarlosVzla
How can i tell if i'm depressed or if i'm just sad or down? Like, what are the differences? |
My question exactly..
Most of the time I feel down and I don't really know the reason so I blame other people
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Member Since: 10/16/2005
Posts: 16,872
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It's when your boyfriend can't get it up and you are angry at him.
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Member Since: 11/12/2011
Posts: 5,343
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Quote:
Originally posted by KarlosVzla
How can i tell if i'm depressed or if i'm just sad or down? Like, what are the differences? |
A clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can tell you.
But it depends. If it's persistent it would be depression, although some depressions come in episodes for people. Like a period of two weeks and then it goes away, but then it comes back again.
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Member Since: 2/22/2008
Posts: 46,108
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Sometimes i feel like i may be bipolar. See, my mood swings just can't be normal. Some days i just feel really optimistic about certain things that normally get me down, the relationship i have with my partner for example, and some days i just remain depressed about the smallest thing in the world. My grades have gone down, i completely lost interest in my studying. I'm currently on my 4th semester studying Social Communication. It used to be my passion when i was younger, i was so looking forward to the future, my future as a professional. As of now, i find myself even attending my faculty because i have to and because i don't wanna let down the people that love me.
I'm very irritable and i have no patience. I lose focus easily and i have a hard time sleeping and doing the tasks that used to be a piece of cake for me, like learning something for a presentation or just doing homework.
I've never considered suicide, ever, but i've been cutting myself since i was 15-16 years old. I have stopped for months, and then it comes back. In fact, i've stopped for a huge ammount of time but i just go back to it everytime i find myself down for anything.
My appetite swings are crazy too. I eat like a pig most of the times but there are days where i just can't bring myself to eat a full meal. I am really skinny, i can't seem to put on weight in any way. I haven't really tried vitamins or anything, but like i said, i eat A LOT and it doesn't help.
I have trouble sleeping. There are days where i just don't sleep at all. I see th sun rising through my window and i know i just have to get up to go to uni.
There are days when i'm energetic (without sleeping one bit) and there are days where i sleep a lot and i'm down the whole day.
It's really hard for me to make a decision on anything. Weather it's what i'm going to eat, if i'm going to buy something. If i need or don't need something. Just making decisions in general.
Most of the times i feel worthless. I don't feel smart, i don't think i'm good looking, i feel like everyone around me is better than me. Then again there are days when i'm somewhat confident in a situation that demands me to be so.
I really don't know what's wrong with me. I don't wanna pay much attention to the whole depression deal since, in my culture, even seeing a psychologist is sign that something is really bad. I don't know if i should do some sort of test or go see a psychologist. I just don't know.
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Member Since: 2/22/2008
Posts: 46,108
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Quote:
Originally posted by Lovatostan
My question exactly..
Most of the time I feel down and I don't really know the reason so I blame other people
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This happens to me too. I always argue with people over nothing and then when stop being angry/sad i question myself and i go: "Damn, i wasn't right" most of the times lol.
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Member Since: 5/28/2012
Posts: 7,065
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It's caused when the amount of serotonin in your brain goes down dramatically. It can be triggered by huge issues or nothing really all that big. The symptoms include long periods of sadness,hopelessness, and feeling utterly useless.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 6/17/2009
Posts: 7,828
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Quote:
Originally posted by vuelve88
It's when your boyfriend can't get it up and you are angry at him.
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No, that's just called being ANGRY, dimwit.
I have nothing really to be depressed over, although my life is far from perfect. I really feel for those that are and hope they're able to find the faith and strength call on a Higher help for a total and long-term healing.
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Member Since: 10/16/2005
Posts: 16,872
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Quote:
Originally posted by Twenty Foreplay
No, that's just called being ANGRY, dimwit.
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Why can't you love me for who I am? 
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Member Since: 5/7/2012
Posts: 41,067
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One way to tell depression from "just sadness" is if it starts to interfere with your daily life/ability to do things. When I was depressed, I couldn't feel any emotion except for pain (that sounds emo but you know what I mean). I couldn't feel happy at ANYTHING or even laugh and actually mean it. I couldn't even smile. From the moment I woke up to the moment I got to sleep it was constant sadness/feeling crummy inside. It never went away, it was every minute of every day. It became difficult for me to go to school or even have conversations with people, I couldn't get to sleep for days, etc. A constant nagging sadness/feeling of pain or despair that you can't shake no matter how hard you try. You lose the ability to feel any other emotions or even interact like a normal person. You can "get" depression one of two ways, one is to have tragic/unfortunate events happen in your life that completely take over and change your emotions. Another is genetically, depression is a mental illness and mental illnesses can be heredity/run in families, so it could be passed down to you in your genes and not be a result of anything going on in your life.
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Banned
Member Since: 10/1/2011
Posts: 15,669
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Quote:
Originally posted by KoreanDream
If you're depressed then you'll know it and it ****ing sucks.
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Member Since: 2/22/2008
Posts: 46,108
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Quote:
Originally posted by Guernica
One way to tell depression from "just sadness" is if it starts to interfere with your daily life/ability to do things. When I was depressed, I couldn't feel any emotion except for pain (that sounds emo but you know what I mean). I couldn't feel happy at ANYTHING or even laugh and actually mean it. I couldn't even smile. From the moment I woke up to the moment I got to sleep it was constant sadness/feeling crummy inside. It never went away, it was every minute of every day. It became difficult for me to go to school or even have conversations with people, I couldn't get to sleep for days, etc. A constant nagging sadness/feeling of pain or despair that you can't shake no matter how hard you try. You lose the ability to feel any other emotions or even interact like a normal person. You can "get" depression one of two ways, one is to have tragic/unfortunate events happen in your life that completely take over and change your emotions. Another is genetically, depression is a mental illness and mental illnesses can be heredity/run in families, so it could be passed down to you in your genes and not be a result of anything going on in your life.
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I've felt most of what you say here except what i bolded. I could fake laughs and smiles. Sometimes they were actually real. I just was bitter right after i smiled or laughed again.
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Member Since: 3/27/2009
Posts: 30,284
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It really sucks to be depressed. There have been times where I have wanted to die, not suicide but just having the feeling of not waking up after I sleep. Speaking of sleep...I am always sleepy .
Throughout the years, my family problems have worsened which have directly affected the way I develop friendships, relationships, etc. I've had relationships and I have plenty of "friends", but I can never get close to anyone. I always keep people at an arm's length, which turns them away eventually.
My family sweeps everything under the rug as if everything is ok, all the time. And when I try to talk to them about what's going on it turns into a "it's not a big deal" sort of discussion. It's maddening and it's frustrating, so if anyone has been through this, please divulge.
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Member Since: 5/7/2012
Posts: 41,067
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Honestly, if you're wondering if you're depressed and not just sad, make an appointment with a therapist. Talk to them about how you feel, and they will hopefully be able to diagnose you with something - whether that's depression or if they think you're just going through a rough patch and it's not that serious. They can then help you decide the next course of action - which could be medication, more therapy, or giving you some coping skills with getting through a difficult time. It is important to get these feelings/thoughts out and let someone know what's going on with you. Talking about it actually really helped me, just getting all of the stuff I'd been going through out of my mind and out in the open and realizing I wasn't the only one going through this. If your family and/or friends don't want to listen or take you seriously, a therapist will. I know it can be scary to make that first appointment/call but trust me you'll feel better afterwards just getting it all out. If you can't do that for whatever reason, this is the internet, there are help/support sites out there where you can talk to people who are going through the same thing.
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ATRL Administrator
Member Since: 6/29/2002
Posts: 77,601
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You feel like nothing is worth doing, nothing is worth the effort.
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Member Since: 12/25/2010
Posts: 2,692
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Never consulted any psychologist but I think I'm depressed for at least 4 years now. Always negative, no confidence, hate going outside the house (whether in the mall or going out with friends), don't trust anybody, etc. etc. you know the rest. There are times when I just don't mind dying as long as its painless, I suffered enough, don't want to suffer any longer during my last hours. I never really planned or contemplated about suicide but I feel anxious and hopeless everyday.
I recently graduated and have a degree now but I have no motivation to do anything whatsoever. I'm already 21 and avoid life as much as I can. I spend my time watching movies/TV alone, visiting forums, listening to music, etc. etc. It really sucks because you can't do anything but imagine a fake life where you're just a normal person, have many friends, people like you, ....
I don't want to talk about it with anybody because it's quite draining. At least I'm anonymous in here so I can vent a bit 
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Member Since: 11/26/2011
Posts: 6,033
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Sucks to hear it affects people on here but as they say, its a silent killer
I've had it twice, once as a teen for a two years & my last bout quite recently. It runs in my family, both parents have had it along with two out of three sisters. Something odd in the water there.
Its not easy & its hard to see past the dullness to say the least. I believe overall many things help but time is the biggest factor. Unfortunately there is no time limit, could last for a few weeks to years on end. All I can hope is if you suffer from it, seek help. Whether it be friends, family, a therapist, treatment program, even call on yourself. Everyone has self value & you just have to see/believe it. There's no simple solution but take baby steps. Make small goals or try something new everyday. The more you become a victim to it, the more it rules your life. The last thing someone with it wants to hear is a positive cheerleader but keep your head up, life does get better & worth giving it a go 
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Member Since: 5/7/2012
Posts: 41,067
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Quote:
Originally posted by SarahWalker
Never consulted any psychologist but I think I'm depressed for at least 4 years now. Always negative, no confidence, hate going outside the house (whether in the mall or going out with friends), don't trust anybody, etc. etc. you know the rest. There are times when I just don't mind dying as long as its painless, I suffered enough, don't want to suffer any longer during my last hours. I never really planned or contemplated about suicide but I feel anxious and hopeless everyday.
I recently graduated and have a degree now but I have no motivation to do anything whatsoever. I'm already 21 and avoid life as much as I can. I spend my time watching movies/TV alone, visiting forums, listening to music, etc. etc. It really sucks because you can't do anything but imagine a fake life where you're just a normal person, have many friends, people like you, ....
I don't want to talk about it with anybody because it's quite draining. At least I'm anonymous in here so I can vent a bit |
I know it can be exhausting to talk about it, but it really is something you should force yourself to do. You don't have to live this way forever, you really don't. I'm not saying you talk to someone once then boom everything is fine because it isn't that way. It took me nearly a year to get out of my depression and I'm still dealing with panic attacks/anxiety to this day. (It's been over 4 years) But my life HAS gotten better, and I believe it was because I didn't keep it to myself and reached for support. Knowing that someone is there to catch you if you fall helps take some of it away. If you don't tell anyone, you'll begin to isolate yourself more and more and that isn't what you need. Being alone when you're depressed/anxious whatever is the worst thing because you'll just keep thinking about it, and keep wallowing in it. You need other people to help you break through it. Even if you don't feel like trying, you'll have people there who will force you to and sometimes people need a good shove. Just know: you CAN overcome depression. You don't have to be anxious everyday. I thought that my life was stuck and I would always be that way, not liking myself, feeling afraid to go outside, not wanting to do anything. But you know what? In the past 4 years my life has almost done a complete 180. I'm not depressed anymore and my anxiety is slowly getting better and I pray one day it can completely go away. It is possible to break through into the light and have a normal, happy life. You need to make that first step though.
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Member Since: 12/25/2010
Posts: 2,692
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Quote:
Originally posted by Guernica
I know it can be exhausting to talk about it, but it really is something you should force yourself to do. You don't have to live this way forever, you really don't. I'm not saying you talk to someone once then boom everything is fine because it isn't that way. It took me nearly a year to get out of my depression and I'm still dealing with panic attacks/anxiety to this day. (It's been over 4 years) But my life HAS gotten better, and I believe it was because I didn't keep it to myself and reached for support. Knowing that someone is there to catch you if you fall helps take some of it away. If you don't tell anyone, you'll begin to isolate yourself more and more and that isn't what you need. Being alone when you're depressed/anxious whatever is the worst thing because you'll just keep thinking about it, and keep wallowing in it. You need other people to help you break through it. Even if you don't feel like trying, you'll have people there who will force you to and sometimes people need a good shove. Just know: you CAN overcome depression. You don't have to be anxious everyday. I thought that my life was stuck and I would always be that way, not liking myself, feeling afraid to go outside, not wanting to do anything. But you know what? In the past 4 years my life has almost done a complete 180. I'm not depressed anymore and my anxiety is slowly getting better and I pray one day it can completely go away. It is possible to break through into the light and have a normal, happy life. You need to make that first step though.
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How did you manage to tell somebody about your condition? I'm terrified and just opening about it is more than a face-your-fears thing. Some of my friends (the few of them left  ) asked me if something was wrong but I can't muster up the courage. I know they will pity/patronize/judge me afterwards and that would be worse than just keeping silent about it. I suppose a therapist would be better since he/she is a complete stranger?
Are there like stages of depression? I want to know if I'm in the intermediate-severe case without seeing a therapist since it's quite expensive, I can't afford it atm Is a therapist really necessary? Or maybe I just need someone to talk to?
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Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 2,338
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kworb
You feel like nothing is worth doing, nothing is worth the effort.
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This. You lose interest in many things, feel drained all the time and cry easily.
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