am i depressed??

[escapologist]

i feel down all the time...i feel like a pest for ranting about this but id really appreciate your opinions as i dont know what to do. i cant remember the last time i was truly happy. maybe at about age 14?? (im 22 now) i try and pretend im happy all the time because i dont want to look like a failure, but at the moment life just feels a little bit pointless. i dont want to think that im depressed because i have no reason to be. nothing bads happened in my life, just the usual things that everyone has to deal with at some point! but i cry almost every day and i dont know why...sometimes wake up and the first thing i do is cry?? i dont know whats wrong with me. i feel like im being ungreatful because my lifes not terrible but i feel helpless.

[erin-x]

People react to everyday stresses differently. I felt exactly the same way when I was at college. At least you are brave enough to admit it on here. I never told anyone how I was feeling at the time and looking back, it probably would have helped a lot.

So try talking to someone, on here, a friend, a doctor, whatever. It will help xx

[Zacs-Master]

Agree with Erin, go and see your doctor. You will be surprised at their knowledge and advice. It's a very common problem. Good luck.

[Old_Geezer]

In my unexpert opinion, you probably are. I recall teens, and even early twenties as being a depressing time. Difficult to just find joy in life, always asking what the point of everything is. It'll wear off if my experience is anything to go by, although life is unlikely to always be a bed of roses. There will be times when you are up, and times when you are down.

[Ann]

I agree OG, there are sad times and happy times - the crux of the matter as you get older I find, is your health. When I feel out of sorts or worse, I realise my age and worry and get depressed about being in my 60s.

Escapologist - please see a doctor, they can give you tablets to make you feel brighter, get out in the countryside if you can or to the seaside, when its sunny, look around at others who are not as fortunate as you (you did say that life isn't terrible) you just need a little sunshine to lift your spirits (as I did on Sunday - it made me feel so much better to feel the sun on my face) and I made myself smile and counted my blessings. Can you not write a list of things in your life which make you happy and the ones which make you sad - I did this and found to my surprise, the good outweighed the bad . I'm not being patronising - just want to help you. Hope you feel much better soon <<hugs>>

[Booldawg]

I think most people get depressed. Its not the depression its your ability to get yourself out of that state of mind and become upbeat about things.

Agree with going to the doctors as they can get you on the right track. I'm not a big fan of the use of anti-depressants as they can cause problems of their own.

[Canary42]

Don't feel guilty because of your material circumstances - depression is not necessarily related to circumstances at all. See your doctor, or ring the Samaritans - they deal with more than just suicidal folk.

[maggiebee]

One in four people will suffer from some sort of mental illness during their lives and doctors are very knowledgeable on the subject. From what you say, there sounds as if there is no real reason you can think of why you should be depressed, so it is probably out of your control at the moment. Depression is an illness and as such can be cured. It is more than just being "fed up". Please speak to your GP who will help you begin to take control of your life again.

[Seadragon]

I'm not a fan either of pills, please don't take anything as such. Take control of your own life. Real depression is when your in your 40's, 50's, 60's? and you feel like a failure then. Just imagine that!

In my opinion, I think you just need to 'do things'. Maybe you feel that life should be more at 22? Happiness is being content with yourself. This is your life, your body and your experience....you only get a chance at life once.

Try some charity work at local shops or joining some new class or something, meet your friends more often for nights out? Instead of crying when you wake, say to yourself - 'no, I am going to do something good today...I don't know what...but I must remember that the little things in life are not pointless, even if its making someone smile.' Then take a smile yourself and get on with your day.
Good luck x

[maggiebee]

Sorry Seadragon, I don't agree with you at all. Depression can strike at any time and at any age.. It is normally caused by a drop in the seratonin levels in the brain and "doing things" will make no difference until the underlying medical condition is addressed. I am not suggesting for one moment that anti-depressants are always the answer but depression is a medical condition which can be treated.

[katdarn79]

Seadragon, youve never suffered from depression at a guess. You mays as well have said just pull your self together.

Escapologist go to the doctors, if you need medication to get you feeling better so what, there is no shame in that!

[Booldawg]

No, I think Seadragons advice isnt to be ignored. What harm can striving for positivety do?

[bagpuss63]

Been down myself on and off lately-more in last 20 hours. My Mum died 41 years ago last week, i was only 7. Go to Drs, maybe female one. I wouldn't mind going back on anti depressents myself, been off about 6 years, but back on 17 tablets a day, due to transplant, so will ask Liver Clinic their opinion next month.(my local GP won't do anything, without them) I am on waiting list for counciling, maybe try that.

[katdarn79]

Theres nothing wrong with that, but do you not think escapologist doesnt already want that?

[mrs_overall]

Seadragons answer is a positive one.

I think you need to see your doctor.
In the mean time, do positive things - just little ones. Set yourself a small goal each day.
Good luck

[lcg]

what specific things are making you so unhappy? it would help to describe things in more detail if you wish to be advised or talk things through via this site with others. no one will judge or dismiss you or your experiences which are obviously making you so unhappy. you have certainly described symptoms of depression and i would encourage you to see your gp for advice, support and possibly treatment. i am 35 and been depressed all of my life and suffer with severe episodes every couple of years (i am having one at the moment, unfortunately!) and am a psychiatric nurse - so could help a little if you would like to share your experiences. i wish you good luck and asking for help is the first part of dealing with mental health problems x

[katdarn79]

When your depressed geting dressed in a morning and leaving the house can even be challenge. When i had depression i would have loved nothing more than to wake up happy and not to cry, spend more time with friends etc but it dosent work like that.

[Seadragon]

I take all your points on board, but we have to remember like Icg76 says that we are all offering an opinion on limited information.

Surely suggesting medication and suggesting that someone is 'depressed' is a step backward? I think from the many different responses we have given that we wait and see what escapologist says and take a lead from there.

I think its dangerous to label someone 'depressed' when it could just be a temporary blight in their period in life.

That word 'depression' on its own can open a 'can of worms' as they say.

[Seadragon]

Well it seems escapologist has escaped. I hope they find something helpful in any one of these posts, different opinions can affect people in different ways, only they know.

I wish you all the best x

[pizza]

You put your link on here escapologist and got some replies off people that are on the site because they care.
You said you'd appreciate peoples opinions so we look forward to hearing your replies.
You have made the first step admitting how you feel now let people help you move on.
Remember there are people here that do care xx

[Nummy]

Just because you have 'nothing to be depressed about' doesn't mean you're not depressed.

There are several causes of depression, not just circumstances/life events.

And just because you have 'nothing to be depressed about' does not mean you should belittle your feelings in anyway or feel ungrateful or guilty.

I know from firsthand experience how annoying (no matter how well intentioned) platitudes such as 'pull yourself together' and 'count your blessings' can be, especially when you can hardly get out of bed on a morning, or are sobbing your heart out til you've ran out of tears and you don't know what started you off.

There are things you can do that will help you feel better, but i understand the thought of doing any of them may feel like climbing a mountain, no matter how simple they are.

So, first - go to your GP. Explain how you are feeling. Your GP can help. I was very resistant to take tablets, but when i finally gave in and started them the difference was amazing. Basically there's a chemical imbalance in your brain - an whilst there are outside factors that can help, an initial boost maybe all you need to pick yourself up.

Now the other stuff - the stuff that makes you want to run and hide right now - is the stuff you need to try and start doing. Exercise is good...a walk to the shops or round the block, it's a start, and if it's sunny, it's a bonus! Try and eat heathi