Am I depressed - or is it something else?

Our mood naturally varies over time and from day to day and everyone gets down sometimes. We may say that we are 'down', 'fed up', or 'feeling under the weather'; we may get disheartened about something that happens or when things don't go the way we would have liked. Although people often say 'I'm depressed' to mean these things, this would not usually be what is called clinical depression and is simply part of the normal ups and downs of life. Some people naturally experience frequent mood changes, while others have a relatively stable equilibrium. Similarly, if we suffer a major loss, we readily understand that it is normal to grieve. Although some of the emotions we feel when we are bereaved appear similar to depression, grieving is a natural and ultimately healing process. Sometimes, though, past losses which were not fully mourned at the time may later resurface and present as depression much later.

So, what is depression?

Put simply, the distinction between feeling 'down' and being depressed is one of both degree and duration; i.e. low mood becomes problematic when it is frequent, persistent and begins to affect our work, relationships, social activities and self-esteem. Depression includes a persistent low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in life - it also commonly involves:

a change in eating, weight and/or sleep patterns
reduced energy levels and reduced physical activity
impaired concentration
negative thoughts and beliefs about self, others and the world
avoiding other people and withdrawing into one's room
feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
loss of interest, enthusiasm and enjoyment
reduced sex drive
feeling irritable and short-tempered, or tearful
being unable to continue as usual with work and interests, maybe because you feel listless, or 'can't be bothered', or things feel pointless
the future may seem bleak or hopeless, or feel that it just not worth going on, or think about suicide.

Please note that we may feel some of the above for reasons other than depression, or even several together for a brief while, without this being of major concern. Someone who is depressed will experience a number of these changes persisting for quite some time. Nonetheless, depression is very common - it affects people of all ages and backgrounds and is one of the most common reasons for people seeking help from counsellors or doctors.

Why do people get depressed?

Often depression is a response to events or circumstances that are felt to be deeply troublesome or distressing, or which seem to threaten our personal identity. Usually these circumstances seem too hard or even impossible to change. There can be a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness and an all-pervasive gloom. However, sometimes people seem to get depressed for no obvious reason. In these cases, it may be that something that hurt deeply some time ago (even years ago) begins read more