[Hedgeleaf]

I don't know if I'm depressed

I've had a couple of really tough relationship breakups in the last few years and am now a single parent living on my own working and paying a mortgage. It's tough but that's life

How do people know when they either are depressed or need therapy? What happens when you go the first time? Do you say you think you're depressed, what if you're not really sure why you're there but know something isn't right

I have health care with work and as part of the perks I get 6 counselling sessions for free!

I want to go, I feel I need to I'm just scared and don't know what to say

[Nimportequoi]

I want to go, I feel I need to

Only you can know whether you're depressed or not. It sounds like you probably hesitate to just state you feel depressed because you may feel guilty for doing so or are afraid that people don't believe you? I know this as well.
I think, with depression, it's hard to describe. Once you have it, you know you do have it, even though you might have never thought about depression before in your life.
Go see a therapist! I'm sure those guys are familiar with people who don't know why they're there exactly at first.
Maybe you could consider seeing more than one therapist at first? That way, your free sessions would be used up earlier, but you had the opportunity to find the t that best clicks with you. I know from my own experience that it's important to find someone you can stand.
Hang on/stay strong!

[Random]

I dont think you have to know you're depressed to go to therapy. If your symptoms are affecting your life negatively and you would like help, that is more than enough. I believe everyone can gain benefit from a therapist, especially if they're going through a hard point in their life. I would definitely go see what they have to say, like you said, you have six free appointments so its a win win situation.

Well, knowing something is wrong is an indication of just that.

No need to worry about your therapy visit; just be honest and all will be okay. Remember it is not a test.

[hsalmon21]

If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, then you need to go with it. Use a free session. See the therapist, just tell them the events that have happened, and how they have affected you. They should be able to take it from there and ask you questions to make a determination.
It's like if youre sick and you go to the doctor; it's not like the doctor expects you to know what you're sick with when you walk in the door - it's their job to diagnose you.
I hope you find the help you need

[elevatedsoul]

listen my sweet dear friend... people get sad... sadness is part of life...
when a flower you love dies, you feel sad...
this is sadness...

when a pet you grow attached to passes...
when a loved one passess... you feel broken... this is bereavement... you are mourning....

when you find yourself questioning why you are alive... what purpose you serve... unable to fine reason to live in your life... this is depression... depression can be mild... can be severe... there are many tpyes.. so im not generalizing...

please if this is negatively effecting your life, seek help....

dont get me wrong... anything can lead to depression... but im just trying to put it into a short sentance.... i love you.... i hope you fell beter soon...

[Hedgeleaf]

Thank you everyone

I think my main issue is that I find it hard to love myself. There is so much I don't like about me. I don't want to be the person I am. I find it hard to communicate my feeling properly as im scared that no one will understand or take me seriously.

I have no self worth and can't seem to do anything right.

I want to talk though, that's the thing but I want to talk to someone who loves and cares for me, not a stranger in a room or on the phone.

[dexter]

Hi Hedgeleaf it is part of a therapists job to determine if someone is suffering from a mental illness. They don't always get it right the first time, but that is part of their responsibility, not yours, so you don't have to worry about that. Just seek help and tell them how you are feeling and what brought your to them.

Having someone loving and caring to talk to is an important tool to help with depression, but the therapist will help in a different capacity... Trying to help bring you to a healthier self, one who does recognize the deserving self-love that you are lacking... And can also help with some of the obstacles to building a personal support system including someone loving to talk to.

[Hedgeleaf]

Can someone post a good link to somewhere I can start to vent my feelings. Maybe even a blog or something where other people in the same situation can read it and respond? And I can do the same for them? Does that exist?

[Jan1212]

That's a good reason although the therapist can also help you and teach you ways to cope with your feelings and communicate effectively to let your feelings known. They are trained to be neutral and try to understand you

please DO NOT quote ANY SELECTION of my post. thank you. have a good day.

[Hedgeleaf]

I havnt quoted anything Jan??? What's the issue here

[hsalmon21]

Originally Posted by Hedgeleaf

Can someone post a good link to somewhere I can start to vent my feelings. Maybe even a blog or something where other people in the same situation can read it and respond? And I can do the same for them? Does that exist?

Honestly, maybe you already found that place: right here!
I know I needed someplace to vent as well, and I happened upon this forum when I found their depression test.

Here, I have found comfort in knowing that I'm not the only one feeling the way I feel, support and kindness from such wonderful strangers, and simple relief from throwing up my hairball of thoughts and emotions into a new thread or helping a stranger on their thread (sorry for a gross metaphor but that's what it feels like ).

And if this forum doesn't fit you, I've seen people make their own blogs and websites. It's really neat and probably very therapeutic, because the whole thing is what YOU make it to be. Plenty of creative freedom.