I think I am depressed

I think I am depressed. I have never been diagnosed by a doctor. I am not on any medication. I don’t have any allergies that I am aware of. I don’t have any defining point that caused the depression. I don’t cut myself or think about suicide. I’m not really sure what I feel. I don’t really feel anything. When I think logically about my situation, I think I am depressed, but I don’t feel depressed. Do these seem like symptoms of clinical depression? What tips do you have to deal with this?

2 thoughts on “I think I am depressed

  1. Thank you for your question about depression. In particular, you are asking whether what you describe may be clinical depression or not, and how to deal with these feelings.

    It is a good thing to contact a professional rather than just search the internet because we are able to curate what is useful information and what is not.

    In your symptoms information area, you did not indicate a duration, but in general, the indication for a major depressive disorder is continued feelings of depression for at least two weeks.

    That being said, you should be able to tell which category you fit into, by looking at both Dysthymia and Major depression. Both are serious conditions, but treatment varies depending on which one you have (if you think your symptoms match those in the list).

    However, please remember that professionally trained psychologists/therapists and psychiatrists are the only ones who may diagnose you, regardless of whether you think you fit into a particular category.

    The links below are very well prepared. They are based on the definitions for depressive disorders listed in the DSM5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). Please take the time to read them.

    Dysthymia

    http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/chronic-depression-dysthymia

    Major depression

    http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/major-depression

    To answer your question based on the information you have provided, I would say that you probably do not meet the definition of major depression, but more likely match dysthymia or a more temporary form of depression.

    You mentioned that you ‘don’t feel anything .. so I recommend that you also read about anhedonia
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-sense/200912/depression-and-anhedonia

    Lastly, I would like to recommend that you consider seeing a therapist or psychiatrist to consider options for dealing with these feelings you are having.

    One of the most successful therapies is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which will help you to look at your feelings and actions, and to learn coping mechanisms that will improve your life.

    Thank you, and I hope you can find some answers through my suggestions.

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  2. Being “Numb” is the most common over looked symptom of depression or severe anxiety… and sometimes it’s simply the brains way of slowing down abruptly to prevent over heating per say. For me, being numb is my warning light of on coming mood shift or depression. Be gentle on yourself a bit, slow down if you can, even for a few stolen moments here and there.

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