[BlackFeather]

I was told by someone I know who is a therapist that she could see signs of depression in me. She really thinks I could be depressed and she talked to me about going to the counseling center at the school that I go to. I don't know if she's right or not, I've never had anyone tell me that I was depressed before, but when I was in middle school, I'm almost positive that I might have been a little bit depressed because I remember feeling really sad and that didn't go away for a long time. Anyway, I'm not really sure whether I'm depressed right now, but I suppose it's possible that I am a little bit because I feel sad sometimes and cry. Like the way that I feel sometimes, it makes sense that I'm a little depressed.

I didn't want to go to the counseling center at first, but I did eventually go. The counselor that I saw there said that I'm not depressed because if I was, I wouldn't be able to function (go to school, etc.), which I do. She went through the DSM manual and saw that I don't fit the criteria of a diagnosis of depression, so I'm not depressed. I'm not really sure what to think now because I don't want to be depressed, but I thought maybe a was a little, but now I know I'm not. I don't know what that means now because if that's not what's wrong, then maybe this is just how I am, this is my personality. I'm just sad a lot, but that's just me. But, I can't be like this forever.

[Frankbtl]

Hi BlackFeather, this..........."said that I'm not depressed because if I was, I wouldn't be able to function (go to school, etc.)" is not necessarily true!!! Not in the slightest!!!
Plenty of people who are going through depression (diagnosed or undiagnosed) can still function..........not as well as..........but can still function. Some can't, but some can.
In fact some people can be so good at hiding their depression, or pushing through it when they are with others that those around them just can't see anything, or that much wrong with them at all, despite them really struggling with intense feelings/effects of depression.
Now the DSM "should" be a good baseline for diagnosis but the very fact that it was this person who used it makes me wonder whether their interpretation has been off. And you know actually it should really be adequately trained professionals using it to diagnose which I'm betting this person wasn't!!!
So maybe worth going to someone else e.g. a doctor or pdoc??? or for now check out this link for an idea, doesn't replace seeing a professional but.............
Psych Central - Depression Screening Test
And perhaps tell us a bit more about what you're going through.........again we can't replace professionals but..............
Not that I'm necessarily saying you are depressed (maybe......maybe not.......) but in itself the fact that you're "sad a lot" says you maybe need some understanding, help/support with that, and towards working through that, towards feeling differently.
And whether someone on here is depressed or sad then it still matters, so keep on posting we're here for you
And have a think about seeing someone more qualified/a professional to diagnose if you have depression and to help you with that too??

Alison

[gayleggg]

I've been depressed on and off for 30 years and I've been very functional during that time. I disagree that you have to be nonfunctional to be depressed. I can even hide my depression to some degree. I held a job for most of those years and was an excellent employee. You can be depressed and still be functional. Find a different counselor.

[nymphea]

My pdoc said something similar to me. It was confusing as well because I know I get super down to the extreme from time to time. There are also other diagnosis' to consider that are very similar to depression, so you could have something else all together. A lot of mental illness symptoms overlap and seem like depression. You should consider going to a GP, pdoc or a psychologist and tell them how you feel. However, I think we all know ourselves the best regardless of what label people give us.

[Fuzzybear]

She doesn't sound too good I suggest finding a different counsellor