What is the difference between "feeling down" compared to actual depression?

[Anonymous]

I honestly can't tell the difference because they both feel the same. I just want to know what signs to look out for and be aware what's going on because I have had this overall sense of heartache and disappointment for the past several days and I feel like it has been consuming my mind, any answers would be greatly appreciated.

[Jessica_18]

Feeling down every now and then is a completely normal human reaction to certain things. Everyone gets sad or upset when unfortunate things come up.

Depression is when those unpleasant feelings disrupt your daily life for an extended period of time. If you find that you're overwhelming sad or down for weeks at a time and it interrupts your sleep, you can't stay focused on school/work, you don't want to spend time with family/friends, things that once made you happy are no longer of interest to you, you may be depressed.

If that's the case, it's best to speak with your doctor to get you back on track to being your happy, normal self. Society makes us believe that mental health issues is taboo but that's really not the case. In my opinion our mental well being is just as important as physical health. Once you start treating depression you will begin to feel a million times better. If you have any other questions, you can message me. Good luck (:

[roundincircles]

Depression is actually where you get to the point of questioning if your life is worth living, when you don't stop crying and constantly feel down in dumps. When your feeling down you can pick your self up by going out with friends etc .. And feeling down usally happens at night when your alone, which is a usal case of lonelessness and when your mind goes into overdrive. Depression is so much more of a bigger picture, you would need medical treatment for depression. It can seriously take effect of your mental health

[Asker]

You nailed on the head, it really is loneliness as much as I don't like to admit that. It really hits me hard when I have so many things on my mind and no one to tell them to. That's when I realize my lack of deep meaningful relationships.

[Anonymous]

Different people work off different definitions, but I tend to side with the view that depression (as in the issue needing treatment) is where you do not have ample reason for the way you are feeling.

Why do you feel heartache and disappointment right now, is it something you can talk about?

[Asker]

Deep meaningful relationships, or lack thereof. For the last several years, I have faced personal obstacles without the support of others, and I honestly feel burnt out and a bit jaded. And that has taken a toll on me and it doesn't help when I have no one to talk about it.

[Opinion Owner]

For the purposes of applying to speak to a counsellor then I would characterise that as being depressed, but it's not necessarily depression in terms of something you necessarily need or want medication to treat, as the cause rather than chemical or hormonal is based upon your situation.

If you think it would help I would suggest you reach out and try and find someone to talk to, if not a friend or a family member, then a counsellor (this may be provided by your work or you might get a referral from a doctor) or you could try the free helplines that just about all countries have charities offering which will allow you to talk to someone.

I do know it can be very hard, in more ways than I want to discuss here I know how you feel.

[professorchaos]

Feeling down is short term. Actual depression is a long period with no signs of improvement. If anything it worsens. Try to get active and use your mind for positive thoughts. If it doesn't get any better in the future consider see a doctor about it

[ForgottenDreams]

You are just down.

I have very bad depression, because I think of death every day and suicide.

Just do some things that make you happy

[RaCeRKiD5]

Depression is when the times you actually feel happy you get sad again because you realize its rare you ever feel that.