Physical Signs of Depression: How Do You Know if You're Depressed?

There are several physical signs of depression, even in different people. We all get a little depressed now and then; sometimes we feel depressed for no reason at all and other times we're sad about something specific, like the loss of a parent or close friend. Regardless of the cause of depression, some feelings of sadness aren't permanent or debilitating. Some feelings of sadness are easily banished with a change of pace, such as a new job.

However, depression can be a different story. Defining depression is the first step in dealing with it.

Defining Depression by Looking at Physical Signs of Depression

Some feelings of sadness last longer and are worse than a simple case of the blues. Depression affects your everyday functioning and depletes your energy and interests. Everything, even just getting out of bed, takes a huge effort when you're dealing with depression. Things that you once enjoyed become tedious and difficult due to depression.

Physical Signs of Depression

Your behavior can be physical signs of depression:

Your feelings can be physical signs of depression:

Your thinking patterns can be physical signs of depression:

Your body signals can be physical signs of depression

These lists include a wide range of behaviors that could be signs of depression. If you exhibit one or two in each category, then you may be dealing with depression. If you exhibit just one or two signs of depression (eg, pessimism or loss of sexual interest), then you may be dealing with something other than depression, such as illness. A doctor can help you figure out if you're dealing with depression.

Child abuse, grief, failure, the loss of a friend, or even the death of a pet can trigger feelings of sadness, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're dealing with depression.

Dealing with depression is different for everyone

If you're depressed because you suffered a miscarriage, you may have different signs of depression than your coworker who perhaps has low levels of dopamine or noradrenaline (brain chemicals). The signs of depression will be different as well.

Some depressed people feel worse in the morning, and better as the day wears on. Others feel it at night, and toss and turn until the early hours of the morning. It depends on your personality, situation at home, and even what medications you're taking or illnesses you have.

Getting help with signs of depression

Different causes of depression can cause different signs of depression. They also require different treatments for depression or antidepressants. The first step is to talk to your family doctor or a counselor. Reaching out to people and being as honest as you can is the primary way to get help with depression – and start enjoying life again.

If you found Physical Signs of Depression helpful, you might want to read:

May 7, 2008 9:22 PM

Guest :

this really kind of help me realiza that i am depressed.
it was a good article and it helped me a lot.

Aug 15, 2008 4:26 AM

Guest :

are there any recorded physical signs such as a very heavy feeling in the head - band like tension, particularly at the back of the head and a feeling of wanting to faint, especially when bending over and tilting the head backwards? An MRI has revealed 5ml tonsillar herniation but I have been told not to worry about it!

Aug 19, 2008 11:02 PM

Guest :

i wasnt ever sure if i was depressed.
im only a kid...and i wwas curious about my feelings so i looked it up and this really is EVERYTHING. this helped more than you know.

Aug 22, 2008 1:25 AM

Guest :

This article is very informative.It really help me realized how depressed I really was.

Aug 24, 2008 4:16 PM

Guest :

i realise that i am actually depressed, i wasnt sure y i was feelin this way but now i do, thankyou

Sep 23, 2008 4:06 PM

Guest :

This helped me a lot...i nw knw y i feel da way i do...
i am depressed..:(

Sep 25, 2008 11:57 AM

Guest :

this will hopefully help me to help my friend. She is very depressed fat and broke! I hope i can help her get everything together

Oct 2, 2008 7:35 PM

Guest :

I just started college, and i started to change and all i do is sleep and eat, and after reading this article i seen that i am depressed, at first i thought it was just me being homesick.

Oct 5, 2008 5:21 PM

Guest :

i think i knew already that i was depressed.
some of the physical sighns were obvious.. but some
jst confermed it. =[[

Oct 8, 2008 7:20 AM

Guest :

I experience 90% of these symptoms however I am afraid of getting help.
:'(

Oct 8, 2008 7:26 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

What are you afraid of? Sometimes it helps just to be aware of your fears......then you can move forward even if you're scared....

Oct 8, 2008 11:58 AM

Guest :

i was feeling sad for no reason at all.
im always tired i eat about 2x more than i used to
im unterested in my boyfriend and friends an all i wanna do is be alone.
this really helped me to accept that im depressed. thnkku.

Oct 15, 2008 9:57 AM

Guest :

I have no doubt that I am depressed. My husband left me for a woman 30 years younger then himself. Our marriage was rocky for years. However, when I found out he was having an affair that was a wake up call.
I miss him so much it is unbearable. I can't find the joy. I have great friends,family and councilors.

In any case, this article just confirmed the situation, ESPECIALLY the thinking patterns. They are very accurate!
Thank you

Oct 20, 2008 10:00 PM

Guest :

Appreciate the info and help....

Oct 26, 2008 11:09 PM

Guest :

i dont want to accept that everthing on this list describes me. i hate my life and i just dont know what to do. id like to improve my life as appose to ending it but that isnt looking likely. any advice would be great.

Oct 27, 2008 9:19 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

I'm sorry you hate your life...and I hope you can find a way to enjoy it!

Everyone deals with depression differently. Some find natural treatments effective (St John's Work, light therapy, exercise, etc), while others really need antidepressants or counseling, or a combination of both. What will work for you depends on your personality and lifestyle.

So, how do you find what will work for you? You need to reach out and talk to someone in person. Your doctor, a counselor, a trusted friend or family member.....because few people can overcome depression all alone.

Another way to treat depression is to keep trying different things until you find what works for you. You may not know right now whether light therapy or antidepressants will work -- so you have to try them and see!

If anyone wants to share what they think would work, or what works for them, please do feel free to comment......we'd love to hear from you.

- Laurie

Nov 1, 2008 7:49 AM

Guest :

Well, i have been depressed since forever, since I was about 10 I think it started.Now it's getting wrose. I hate people, I hate my family. I don't wanna talk to friends. I don't know how to open up to anyone. I have mixed emotions and eat a ton (but don't gain weight haha) I don't know what's wrong with me. Everyday I go to school and I smile like I'm happy, but deep inside im really hurting.I don't know who to turn to. And every single day I have to put up with my family fighting and arguing over dumb SHIT. I am filled with anger and hurt and sadness.And noone can feel my pain.The world is a sad and lonely place, and it's harsh and cold.Sometimes I wish I were never born.I wanna just fly away and be free.I am only 16 and all the pressures all on me. I cry and cry and i am tired of it. I stay at home alday long and never get out. It's time I find myself again and start doing the things I love to do. When I was 13 I din want to look myself in the mirror becuz I hated me. I have every single symptom listed up there except for low self esteem and feeling ugly LOL. I know I am beautiful but im not cocky. I am a girl who's lost and hopeless. Who need a hug, and to feel loved and wanted. I am smart enough not to turn to drugs, but i was dumb enough to turn to sex. I am not stupid enough to kill myself, but im crazy enough to hurt myself. I am smart enough to know I need help and prayer.But I don't want freakn medication. So for everyone who read this pray for me. I love you all and thanks for reading. I hope the best for yall and I hope you find happiness. But till then we all are on that journey.
Love, Kay

Nov 10, 2008 5:28 PM

Guest :

Uh...like everyone else that commented - I'm depressed...I working really hard at it but what ever I do is never enough it seems. I've forced myself to eat less than my "normal" double sharings lol so that i can try a regular eating pattern, I'm still hungry folks...I've tried diving into the only thing people think I'm good at- volleyball- and i'm not really improving because my heart's not in it really. I've tried to socialise but no matter how I try I keep on distancing myself...most of the time i feel like a failure...i feel like the whole world is on my back sometimes...people look to me to lead them no matter the situation...people seem to think i'm intelligent...and guess what I'M TIRED OF IT ALLL!!!! However, I'll keep trying because I can beat this right? 16 is "too young to be depressed" at least that's what my mom says..."what do I really have to worry about huh?
lol life is sooooo freakn messed up...

Nov 10, 2008 7:37 PM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

I don't think age has anything to do with feeling depressed. Some types of depression are about brain chemistry, hormones, etc. It's not about your age or circumstances...it's what's happening in your body.

Depression isn't something you can control or will away. It's much more complicated than that.

Nov 20, 2008 9:51 PM

Guest :

im depressed, and still dont know what kind of help to get... but reading different stories, help . i encourage everyone that reads this webpage to write, so we all know that we r not alone. i think it helps to know about other's problems, and exactly like this talking to strangers, and reading from strangers, without looking no one's face.
i used to hurt my self, tried to attempt..., but until a saw several attempts of others, and realized how bad the family is left behind, i committed to my self not to do it again. i still feel tempted to at least hurt my self, just a little, but i have not done it in a while.

Nov 21, 2008 1:32 AM

Guest :

most of what i read here.
is true.
does that mean im depressed?

Nov 30, 2008 9:09 PM

Guest :

i would appreciate it if someone could help me, i feel some of these symptoms but my friends say they don't believe i have depression because i always seem cheerful. but at the moment i feel like i have been depressed for a long time. does this mean i am depressed?

Dec 1, 2008 8:07 PM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

Well, you know your feelings better than anyone -- so it deosn't really matter what your friends say! If you have the physical signs of depression listed above, and it's been going on a long time, then you need to get help. Talk to your doctor, a counselor, your pastor -- anyone you trust who can help you sort through your feelings.

Dec 1, 2008 10:08 PM

Guest :

I'm almost 17. I've been feeling really weird lately. And in psych. class, they talked about depression. (I fit each category.) So I looked up more information...and I think I am. Which really sucks, because I've always been a happy person...
I guess its good that I know though. It's not like I'm gonna tell anyone, but still, good to know. Thanks for the article.

Dec 2, 2008 7:58 PM

Guest :

This is very helpful, it thoroughly explains to me things in an easier way than my psychiatrist. i suffer from major deppression due to stress and now this helps not only myself but also my family try and take care of me more

Dec 8, 2008 9:49 PM

Guest :

All this time I think I always new I was depressed and I didn't care. I had just moved to a city; I made some friends and had made it happen for me. But I didn't care, I just let my life just slip away. I stopped hanging with my friends never spoke to anybody and found was trying to escape everything by going to work as much as I could. My friends forgot about me and I didn't care, and all I thought about was what I was missing. this article put things In perspective for me. It told me just what I needed to hear, I need to get my A!@ up and get my life back. And its exactly what I'M gonna do!!!!!! .thank you Laurie.

Dec 9, 2008 11:50 PM

Guest :

i guess we all experience this thing in our lives.. maybe once or twice.. but i guess we don't really need to dwell on negative things in our lives. let's see the brighter side. i myself always complain of being sad.. a total worrier! i admit that i'm weak when it comes it comes to dealing with my problems especially when they really get out of control.. but then, i'm doing my bet.. i'm trying my best to change this part of me. i dont wanna be like this forever!! haha! so what i'm doing now is trying things out to divert my attention rather than focusing on hte negatives.. remember, we're the only one responsible for our own actions and behavior... on our own thoughts.. whatever happens, LET'S NOT LOSE HOPE AND BE DETERMINED TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. to all who read this, have a nice day and gb!
>>>Psychology student<<<

Dec 11, 2008 9:36 AM

Guest :

I feel numb......... When I think things are going my way, life pulls the carpet from under my feet. I'm getting tired of falling. I feel like crawling under a rock and staying there. I now I can't though... life goes on and I have to keep my head high. Remember this saying "THE STARS ARE BRIGHTEST WHEN EVERYTHING AROUND YOU IS DARK".

Dec 13, 2008 4:04 PM

Guest :

im young and feel depressed. people think im joking but im not. people dont seem to notice but nobody pays attension. i cut my rists. my mom is goin threw deppresion to which helps make me. i was takin from my best friend. im very anol which doesnt help. somtimes i think about killin myself but know tht wont help. i tell my family we have 2 move back but they dont care about my interests. i need help. plzzzz

Dec 13, 2008 4:17 PM

Guest :

I fake being happy everyday.. and my friends have just started pointing out to me they can tell I'm putting on a front. I'm almost 17, and I've had a lot of bad things happen in my life. I know I have depression but I'm too scared to talk to my doctor cuz I don't want everyone to worry about me because I don't want to stress anyone out..

well thanks for the help.. hopefully I'll find the courage to reach out soon.

Dec 14, 2008 7:56 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

Reaching out isn't just the best way to deal with depression - it's the ONLY way. If you have signs of depression, you really do need to talk to someone.

I hope you find the courage to reach out soon...

Jan 7, 2009 10:08 PM

Guest :

i know im depressed.
i just dont want to acknowledge it.
but i hope sometime soon i will
be able to talk to my doctor
about it.
cause i dont deal with it very well. i am only 17
but i drink, alot, and do drugs,and hurt myself
but only cause it makes me feel better.
wow...screwed up much...
loL i need help.
:(

Jan 24, 2009 1:06 AM

Guest :

Were newly wed and i have to stop to work coz i have to take care of my child,my husband earns too little to be able to support family expenses,we sometimes skip meals coz we dont have money to buy food,my child is too sickly maybe because im always sleeping(18-20hrs a day) coz when im awake i always feel like crying bec.im in employed and we have too much debts to pay,im not used to living away from my family,it was a total culture shock,i lost around 29 lbs in a month,i avoid getting in touch with my friends and colleagues,i dont want to go out coz i feel that im too pathetic,i dont want to look on my old photos coz it even more stress me to see how ugly i became.but now im ok im working my baby is in very good shape,we moved out to our new house near mt parents,see how god works?he can really do miracles,nowdays we still sometimes get into financial probs,just like others but i always look back to what weve gone trhough with god.

Jan 25, 2009 7:23 PM

Guest :

I thought I was just bummed out, guess I was wrong....

Jan 31, 2009 5:17 PM

Guest :

im 15 nd i'v bn depressed since i was 10 after six or so months my mum took me 2 c a shrink after a yr i felt better for a wile but wen i was 12 i relapsed and it was bk 2 the doctors 4 me after the first time i learnt quickly how 2 make the shrinks think im ok nd normal (if there is such a thing) we all hav gd and bad days nd so far iv bn able 2 cope well enough to make every1 think im happy, but last yr be4 my birthday it started 2 gt worse nd its getting harder 2 cope i Can still keep up the act but no 4 as long ill hav 2 leave the room or i just end up sittin ther in silence lookin miserable. my mum gt ill last yr nd she has 2 go2 the hospital 2 a wk nd shes on loads of med nd she cnt gt stressed out 2 much so 2 help my feelings out i guess u could say , i started self harming iv done it b4 but last time wen i was 12 i took painkillers till i past out i thk that's how i gt caught so this time im not doin that as much nw its mostly heatin metal then burning my arm nd i can just say it happened on the oven im not really feeling anymor but ther are nights im in my room and 4 no reason i just cry then wen i stop i dnt feel again i just want 2 b left alone but i no i need help i just dnt want it 4 me 1 of my sis is havin her first baby but she realy nds my help cuz shes bn realy ill so i nd try nd cope betr iv bn ramblin on now so i just ask a Q. does any1 no how i cn cope a bit betr or hide it betr? i dnt want 2 go bk 2 the doks in case they wnt me on meds i dnt thnk i would trust myself realy but if they'd make me happy then fine but i no sum of the side affects nd dnt no wat 2 think. sam

Feb 11, 2009 4:21 PM

Guest :

depression hurts

Feb 12, 2009 8:21 PM

Guest :

i am depressed and have been depressed for as long as i can remember.
i can trace the reasons for this like a spider web all to different sources so in the end i know why i am depressed i just cant solve it.
i cant ask for help because its no mystery why i am depressed i know why but it seems to make no difference, i know what anyone would ask me and i know what my answers would be.
this world is at the shit.its a fair assumption. religion is bollox, everything is bollox so the only thing worth having hope for is in yourself.
and if that fails, which it has for me, what in the hell do i do next?

Mar 3, 2009 4:47 PM

Guest :

this really helped!!!
thanks!

Mar 3, 2009 10:59 PM

Guest :

It all started when I quit my job I was tired of dealing with customers problems, I hated all my friends didnt talk to them again to this day and didnt care anymore about customers, money, life,and nothing. I kept quitting jobs and my debt got so bad I had to file bankruptcy and wisely surrendered my car too. No more payments(relief). I didnt play basketball anymore like I used to. My 30 year old cousin passed away from cancer (kidneys, lungs) and I got worse. My dad dosent live with me but he drinks so that dosent help neither. My mom told me to get help. I got help from counseling and medicine and am feeling better no more bad thoughts actually very optimistic. I am 27 years old. Live with my mom. The economy is very bad no jobs. Including that I have a bankruptcy and bad job history due to depression I still have hope of finding a job, my own apartment and buying stuff like a big tv. Start dating again. I have a car (no payments insurance only 60 bucks). I sometimes do feel shortness of breath and minimal physical pain but I start thinking good thoughts and eating healthy visit the doctor regularly and it goes away ive noticed. Regular activities like jogging or basketball helps. No smoking no drinking no drugs neither. I liked this article. Sometimes I would feel sad for no reason. It sounds kind of funny to me now. People take care get help it works!

Mar 8, 2009 9:21 PM

Guest :

I'm very sorry about your sistuations like all of you i feel your pain, but i think instead of sitting on the computer figuring out how depressed we all our we need to get out there talk to someone anyone because i did and it got better. After you let everything out figure out whats wrong or how to deal with whats eating at you, you get more motivated and start to love yourself again. You can't live for yesterday, you have to live for the moment and the future. Everyone has had something awful happen to them in their life, but why live everyday like that awful day was today.

And to the teenage girls, 16 is not to young to be depressed, i lived it, so did one of my younger sisters. So much changes chemically in our brains are happening then they throw highschool stuff on top, bullying, peerpressure it just adds and bulids up.but if you push yourself to do your best the day you graduate you will know highschool isn't forever, even though if feels like it won't end, it will.

good article, everyone has an idea of what it is but doesn't know exactly what it is and this is says what it is to a tee

Mar 11, 2009 12:14 PM

Guest :

This Article told that i am depressed.. But now what do i do? i dont like feeling this way.. I dont want to be depressed.. I try not to be.. what do i do now? help plz..

Mar 11, 2009 12:39 PM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

If you have these signs of depression, you really need to see your doctor and discuss the possible treatments. Some treatments for depression involve prescription medication, while others include light therapy -- it depends on your symptoms.

Talk to your doctor -- it's not good to get medical advice on the internet. Information, yes....advice, no!

Best wishes,
Laurie

Mar 12, 2009 5:57 PM

Guest :

so what do you do if you have all of these symptoms? now i found out i'm depresed. then what?

Mar 13, 2009 11:15 PM

Guest :

how do you tell your parents?

Mar 17, 2009 2:34 AM

Guest :

thanks heaps i found out i have depression

Mar 26, 2009 4:53 PM

Guest :

at first i wasnt sure that i was depressed. i noticed that i wasnt myself, even though im a young teenager. i relized i am really depressed

Mar 28, 2009 6:49 AM

Guest :

Great website for science homework! thanks! To anybody who's depressed, good on you for posting something. Speaking to anybody is the first step.

Mar 30, 2009 8:02 PM

Guest :

i am 17 and i am convinced i am depressed..
i have all symptoms some more severe and others are more minor..
i am starting to change dramatically.. i prefer being around 1 or 2 people rather than my usual ties which i broke away from

its awkward seeing on of the popular girls plumeting to be a social outcast

this article helped me alot

Apr 1, 2009 2:10 PM

Guest :

this article helped me and im only 11. i printed this out for my mom and she then knew i wasn`t lying about me having depression.

Apr 2, 2009 5:36 PM

Guest :

I related to this article everything it stated was what I felt and feel. The hard step now is going for help

Apr 2, 2009 5:44 PM

Guest :

9years ago i lost my mother through cancer,and my step father due to heart attack, lost my cousin and my brother, and the MOST important person in my life i lost my husband 1year and half ago, i go on with my life without feelings I laugh, i cryed i socialize, but nothing i feel that i do is right, I have 3 wonderful children, and i have not paid atttention to anything that they do, I find myself making alot of exuses I attend courses and i just dont have the drive to do anything, and i see that my children are following wht I am doing, I use to be such a clean freak, and organize.. Now i just dont care anymore.. I keep telling myself one day i will wake up and everything will be ok
but its not... I miss my husband and i missed my old life... I want it back...

Apr 12, 2009 11:00 PM

Guest :

everyone is always telling me i am changing and becoming more distant then recently four people have suggested i may be border line depressed i didn't really listen at first then one night i kinda noticed i am never happy, i cry for stupid reasons, sometimes i don't even know why im crying, i never sleep and when i finally do i dread getting up. It keeps getting worse. It's like the only time i didn't feel sad was when i talked to my gf but now even then im sad. I don't know what to do anymore. But according to this im guessing i need help.

Apr 14, 2009 3:01 PM

Guest :

I'm glad I read this. I think I might be depressed. I still don't really know. It's kind of odd seeing as I'm just a teenager. I feel unhappy and pesimistic all the time. I don't enjoy some of my favorite hobbies anymore. Talking to one of m friends used to help but these days it hasn't really done anything. She tells me I should talk to my doctor but I don't know if I'm comfortable doing that, and I won't talk to a counselor... Not again... Ugh... Well it's good to know it's a possibility and it helped me understand I do probably need help.

Apr 19, 2009 10:50 PM

Guest :

Im on my late twenties. 4 months ago when i have a first serious relationship. I never had a boyfriend before. I have a lot of insecurity within myself and he was not able to accept me for what i am, so we broke up. It hurts because i really love him. He was my first. After we broke up someone comes in, it take two months before i told myself i should give again myself a try to go into relationship. On our first weekend together, i blew it up, i feel i'm not needed, or i still feel i love my ex. And there are some things that i don't like the new guy because of culture differences. He immediately make his distance from me. For the second time i feel the whole world collapsed on me. I made another mistake, im suffering !!!! i don't know what to do. What makes me feel worse is knowing that i do wrong to those guys, they both told me on different occasion that i hurt them. Hurting somebody's feeling is the last thing i want to dom but it seems that i always repeat the same mistake. I can't control my tantrums, my emotions, the feeling that I am just being used, that im not loved. I always wanted to feel needed,important and loved.

Apr 24, 2009 1:43 AM

Guest :

Hi everyone,

I have read the comments here and feel for you all.

The most important thing to remember is that you're not alone.

I am 25 and pretty sucessful professionally but feel unmotivated, withdrawn and isolated. I have hardly any energy, feel bored/depressed and easily irritable. Most people probably don't realise how depressed I really am because I am good at keeping a straight face.

To anyone out there, stay strong and follow your passions and dreams. Never give up. There's always a way out - be hopeful and be persistent.

Keep working at it and you will be fine.

I hope this little comment has helped someone out there.

Peace to all.

Guest

May 2, 2009 7:13 PM

Guest :

It's odd reading articles about depression. I guess no one ever really thinks they are depressed and find out the hard way that this disorder exists and can consume someone. Right now, sitting on a computer and typing this, I feel sluggish, numb, and plain worthless. I've tried not being sad about my problems, but for the most part it hasn't worked and I'm tired of feeling alone. I was going to use the psychology services at my school, but I've backed out because I don't want anyone to think I'm crazy. I just know I can't keep living like this. It's eating away at me and I worry about my mental health, seeing as it's going down a dark path. I read most of the comments and I hope everyone hangs in there. To the ones that wish everyone well, you're really kind. It's nice to know others are looking out for one another who they don't know personally.

May 18, 2009 3:47 PM

Guest :

wow that explains it . . . after finding out that i am infact depressed i feel embaressed, i mean i dont spose anyone is in the same postition as me which is not knowing who to ask for help . .

May 22, 2009 8:15 AM

Guest :

I think I am depressed but i'm not even sure. About 2 months ago I found out that the love of my life cheated on me. We are together now but ever since than I havn't been the same. I've lost 10 pounds, I get headaches, nausea, dierreha( gross i know! ), crying for no reason at all, I get mad easily now, barley have an appetite( when I used to eat like a horse!), and i've become this mean girl. I have never snapped on anyone in my life before and a couple days ago I snapped on my mom & now I feel that way all the time. towards everyone. I hate this person i've become and I honestly don't know what to do. I don't wana talk to a shrink because i'm not crazy. But I just need to figure out what this is and I think it's depression?
I went to the doctor and took blood, stool, and urine tests. all came back negative. I just dont know what to do anymore. has anyone else ever felt all these symptoms. Please help , i'm in desperation to be happy again.

May 24, 2009 8:42 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

You could be struggling with depression, and a doctor would be the best one to diagnose it. Once you figure out what it is, your plan of attack or treatment will be much easier!

Seeing a counselor or therapist doesn't mean you're crazy. It's just like seeing a doctor for a physical health condition, or even taking your car to the mechanic for an engine problem.

I think everyone should go in for mental health tune-ups every few months! Sometimes our thinking, emotions, and actions get messed up...and the only way to get straight is to talk to an objective, trained counselor.

Anyway, to find out if you're depressed, compare yourself with the physical signs of depression above. Make an appointment with your doctor and be honest about every symptom you have. If he/she gives you a formal diagnosis and treatment suggestions, do a little research or get a second opinion to make sure you're doing the right thing.

Also -- sometimes life just gets us down. You mentioned that your partner cheated on you. Maybe your relationship needs a tweak.....have you considered couples counseling? Maybe you're struggling with a depression that stems from feeling betrayed, or that your relationship isn't as strong as it once was. Maybe if you tackle your feelings about your relationship, your feelings and signs of depression will lift.

Sorry I don't have any specific answers! But I encourage you to try the things I suggested...and if they don't work, try other things.

Keep in touch!

Laurie

May 25, 2009 11:45 AM

Guest :

i always thought i might be depressed but i didnt know for sure. i match up with almost all of the signs of depression. except i have never tried to kill myself & dont plan on it. i often find myself bored with life & searching for something new that can interest me & sometimes that leads to bad things. its weird, my day starts & if one little thing doesnt go right the whole day will be messed up. I'm very undecisive and dont know what i want with life. I just put on the fake smile people were used to before and keep going with life. I dont know why or what happened but i find myself so unhappy.i feel like i could be so much more but i have no idea where to start. im lost in my rambled thoughts, undecisive aspirations & depression. i just want to start over. i just want to feel alive again.

May 26, 2009 7:03 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

One way to find out if you're depressed - in addition to looking at the physical signs of depression - is to talk to your doctor. There's also an "online test for depression" (just Google that, and it should appear).

But it seems to me - and you know this isn't a medical diagnosis, it's just my thoughts - that you're struggling with basic life angst! What are we doing here, what's life all about, what's the point, and how should we be living......those questions can be depressing, especially if you don't have the answers.

I suggest you find ways to make your life meaningful, and see if that lifts your mood. How do you make your life meaningful? You experiment with different activities until you find what works for you! Think outside your comfort zone: go on a volunteer vacation - if you can't afford to volunteer overseas for a week or two, try building homes with an organization like Habitat for Humanity.

The idea is to get outside yourself and add meaning to your life. It's a strong possibility that this will make you feel better - and help you overcome those signs of depression.

Let me know how it goes,

Laurie

Jun 2, 2009 1:21 PM

Guest :

what am i supposed to do? after reading this i find that i fit everything! i am unable to seek help and have only one person i have told...she is in the same state...im way to young to seek help myself and my parents would never understand, ive even tried to tell them. ive researched all methods of self help and have attempted to rid myself of any possible reasons of my depression. im losing hair, i have lumps all over my neck from stress and havent slept in over 48 hours...my friend and i need help. we hate everyone and everything but eachother. we cant seem to feel any emotion towards our families and have never had steady relationship experiences. we're just kids, but we cant take anymore...what do we do? please

Jun 8, 2009 1:07 PM

Guest :

i need help
before i do something dangerous
i need to talk to somebody
but i dont want my parents to get involved
where can i go to talk to someone online?

Jun 8, 2009 6:23 PM

Guest :

im a kid and i think im depresed sincelittle it for myself i was thinking bad i think im depressed i put a coomment and it wasent post

Jun 9, 2009 8:10 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

I'm sorry your comment didn't come through -- sometimes glitches in the system cause all sorts of problems!

How do you know you're depressed -- do you have most of the physical signs of depression above? If so, you need to talk to someone. Can you go to your parents, a teacher, a school counselor, or a relative? Dealing with depression isn't something you can do alone. You need to get real, in-person help with it.

Which leads me to the guest who commented before you! I can't recommend any online counselors or websites -- and I think it's better to talk to someone in person. You can't get the same type of help online, because someone needs to see and hear you to really know how to help you. Don't get me wrong, I think there's alot of value in forums and other ways of interacting online....but for something as serious as depression, it's important to get in-person help.

There's nothing wrong with struggling with depression. Depression isn't something to be ashamed of, and it can be treated in many ways!

Don't let your feelings of sadness or despair continue. Talk to someone in person, and come back here and let me know how it went.

Best wishes,
Laurie

Jun 9, 2009 2:20 PM

Guest :

This started mabey 2 weeks ago i started feeling incredbly upset about somthing i am not even sure about? It's like taking my life and turning everything upside down? I feel worried, sad and somtimes get angry about silly things. I cant really figure out what I am upset about? But it's litterally driving me insane everyday, it's impacting my life. I dont feel free and happy the way i used to be, yet i am not sure if i am just stressed and have depresshion or there's somthing seriously wrong with me? I have even been feeling shortness of breath, exstremly aggutated, could this have somthing to do with not drinking enough fluids or excerzising? I feel like someone is holding threre thumbs on my throat or somthing is stuck in my throat, i am getting a bit worried here, and I know I like to phyic myself out good! So a little help- please!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Jun 10, 2009 9:35 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

You can't get the help you need online - you need to talk to a doctor in person. It really sounds like you're dealing with physical and emotional signs of depression, but you can't get treatment unless you seek help!

Yes, not exercising enough or eating proper foods and fluids definitely affects how you feel. The more oxygen you get through aerobic-type exercise (biking, running, swimming), the more blood flows through your body, delivering healthy nutrients and eliminating toxins.

Exercise and nutritious food can improve your physical and mental health, but again...you need to see a doctor or counselor in-person to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Something as potentially serious as depression can't be "cured" online.

You also search for "natural treatments for depression" on Google -- they may be helpful.

Good luck, and get help!

Laurie

Jun 29, 2009 4:04 PM

Guest :

this helps me a lot im glad that i found d right site. i know im getting depressed because im in health care profession and i have some idea about depression, but i dont know what to do, so i start researching bout depression. i know i need some help. but i dont know how to start? Should i tell tell my husband about it first? or just go and consult my doctor?

Jun 30, 2009 5:34 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

Good for you for recognizing the signs of depression and having the courage to get help! That's great.

I suggest you do both: talk to your husband and consult your doctor. Let your husband know that you've been struggling with sadness for too long, it's time to get help, and you're making (or have already made) an appointment with your doctor.

Good luck -- I hope you find a treatment that works quickly and effectively! You're definitely on the path to feeling happier and more hopeful.

Best wishes,
Laurie

Jul 1, 2009 4:49 PM

Guest :

there are some mental illnesses like schizophrenia where the individual is unaware that they are even ill ... is depression like this or are you aware that your depressed? i only ask asmost of the list applies to me but i'm worried that i may just be over reacting or thats what people will think because someone said i dont have a reason to be depressed:(

Jul 1, 2009 4:50 PM

Guest :

Jul 2, 2009 6:35 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

Yes, you can struggle with depression or schizophrenia and not realize it -- there are definitely degrees of awareness. It depends on many factors: the person, the amount of time she/he's been struggling, genetics, the people around him/her, lifestyle, other medications -- lots of things.

You don't necessarily need a reason to be depressed! Sometimes brain chemicals just go a little wonky, for a variety of reasons (or even no reason at all). Sometimes the food you eat affects how you feel and behave. Sometimes your energy is blocked (an energy healer or intuitive would lean towards blocked energy as perhaps triggering depression).

Don't ignore any signs of depression. The best way to find out for sure is to go to an objective person, such as a doctor or counselor. They'll help you figure out if you're depressed, or just bored with life and need to make a change!

There are also online depression tests -- but I think it's better to see someone in person. That way, you can discuss treatments for depression, or learn what lifestyle changes you can make to help you feel happier and better about things.

Let me know how it goes -- and don't listen to people who say you have no reason to be depressed! They don't understand how depression works.

Laurie