[sadplant]

I'm seeing a new psychologist. She's been asking me about my mood and stuff and she thinks I may have depression. But the thing is.. I feel like I don't.

Is it possible to experience the symptoms of depression but not actually have this disorder? I'm constantly doubting my thoughts and emotions and I feel like over-thinking things was what made me seek help in the first place.

I cry so often for no reason and yes, I've lost interest in everything. But that could be caused by stress, right?

TW.
My psychologist asked me about suicidal thoughts and I didn't know how to answer her. I constantly wish I didn't exist, but honestly, I'm terrified of dying. I just want things to change. Maybe I'm just.. unhappy?

I've not been doing well in college because I feel like there's a fog in my brain that won't go away.

This sounds like a journal entry. Dang. No.. but what I'm asking is, is it possible that I don't have depression and that made myself unhappy by over-thinking things?

Depression, depending on the severity, is often measured by how long the disturbance has been in your life. Mine is categorized as a major depressive episode in which I was at an extremely low functioning level so length wasn't as important but for yours I believe that the amount of time is important.

It's also good to consider the fact that depression does not equal suicide. Depression is a thing where someone has lost interest in pretty much everything, slowly finds less purpose in everyday, and feels a lack of hope in the future. They tend to extrapolate negative thoughts about the future of themselves and mankind. And they tend to have extremely low self worth. But because of it's ability to permeate through most of our day to day life it can put us at risk of suicide. Most of us would just to prefer to be dead somehow but won't want to commit suicide due to the damage it would cause on our family and friends. Aka if there was some sort of way for us to die valiantly without pain I'm pretty sure quite a few of us would not be here today.

[Altered Moment]

I think it would depend alot on your history. The psychologist goes by a book and if you have 5 out of 9 symptoms you are considered depressed. A loss and grief can cause it, stress can cause it, big changes in your life can cause it. Just because you may be currently depressed does not mean you have clinical depression.
How long have you been feeling this way?
Has this happened at other times in your life?
Depression can be a symptom of underlying deeper issues. Trauma, abuse, neglect, ect

[Maria38Divine]

You mentioned brain fog. Does over-thinking affect your sleep? Did your doctor check your blood for any nutrient deficiencies?

[Clara22]

In fact, labels are just labels. In your uniqueness you may benefit from the treatment given to those labelled as "suffering from depression", perhaps even for a brief period of time. If your therapist and you can see things from a dynamic perspective, perhaps it would be easier for everyone. Sometimes I think that as humans we do not know much about mental health yet. Nothing, even a diagnosis, should be written on stone, then

[paynful]

Clara22 is right, don't stress too much about finding the right "label." While your psychologist has a valid opinion, YOUR opinion is the only one that matters. If you don't feel like you are depressed, then maybe you aren't.

To be completely honest what you have described does sound like symptoms of depression, but there could be different causes other than a blanket diagnosis of depression.

Were these feelings "triggered" by a certain incident or series of happenstance? Have you had your thyroid levels checked? There could be a multitude of reasons.

...Just be careful of denial. It isn't easy admitting it to yourself. I'm not saying this is true in your case, but I know I struggled with it.

Either way, the only thing that is truly important to focus on is your recovery. Try not to get too caught up in the "naming" of it all.

Originally Posted by sadplant

I'm seeing a new psychologist. She's been asking me about my mood and stuff and she thinks I may have depression. But the thing is.. I feel like I don't.

Is it possible to experience the symptoms of depression but not actually have this disorder? I'm constantly doubting my thoughts and emotions and I feel like over-thinking things was what made me seek help in the first place.

I cry so often for no reason and yes, I've lost interest in everything. But that could be caused by stress, right?

TW.
My psychologist asked me about suicidal thoughts and I didn't know how to answer her. I constantly wish I didn't exist, but honestly, I'm terrified of dying. I just want things to change. Maybe I'm just.. unhappy?

I've not been doing well in college because I feel like there's a fog in my brain that won't go away.

This sounds like a journal entry. Dang. No.. but what I'm asking is, is it possible that I don't have depression and that made myself unhappy by over-thinking things?

The only thing I have to add is that I understand about the suicide question.

I simply felt like I wanted to not be here....I wanted to be unconscious.

Crying often and losing interest in everything combined with the pain I was in sent me to the doctor