[WishfulThinker66]

How do you know you are in Depression? How do you know the degree of it? How do you know to ask for help?

I suffer various forms of sadness from simple melancholy, to unhappiness, all the way to being consumed by the dark cloud extreme.

I ask because I feel myself beginning the long deep drop.

I have had a few triggers this week that have really brought me down. I have an awareness this time around however. There has been goodness in my life and more to come which should be causing some happiness and excitement. As I said elsewhere I instead just don't seem to care.

the main sign for me is not enjoying things I can usually enjoy

example: I love music, and will listen to music in almost any mood (since their is so much it can say)

I know I am depressed when my music collection looks really boring and I just don't have interest in it anymore- because I know, if I don't even want to listen to sad music... well, that's my main interest, so

suppose the other big signs for me is self- care (or perhaps lack of), and increased suicidal feeling

the suicidal feelings are a sure sign.

I'm always suicidal when I'm depressed

never when I'm sad

[Tryingtoheal77]

If you feel like you might want help, or just aren't doing well then ask for help. You don't have to be in a crisis to ask for help.

[ShadowGX]

^ That so much. There's no reason you have to wait to ask for help if you want it. In fact, I dare say it's better to ask sooner instead of later because the better you're already feeling the easier it might be to be helped.

I know Im depressed when depression impairs my daily functioning. I don't feel like doing housework, exercising or going out of the house, even to the grocers to buy food. I want to lie in bed the whole day and do nothing...not even watch tv or do self-care like take shower or brush my teeth. Apart from that there is this sinking feeling of immense sadness and despair that engulfs me.

I went through this phase for one whole year and finally had to take an anti-depressant - prozac 20mg. I get a little agitated and delirious if I take more than the 20mg...40mg didn't suit me. But 20mg prozac seems to work a little and I feel less in despair and hopelessness, though I can't still do housework/exercise daily.

I guess if you could see a psychiatrist too and ask for an anti-depressant...not too much, just the right dosage...it may help.
Hugs to you.

I have a hard time knowing the difference. Certainly sadness is for a reason though and depression might not be. I definitely work on self-care in either case. It can’t hurt to talk to your doctor and to a therapist if those resources are available to you. ❤️