Am I depressed even if I don't "FEEL" or "LOOK" depressed???
926953
There are too many factors unknown to draw conclusions at this point. Do you wake up in a sweat? Are you under pressure on your job? Are there anxiety issues that you unintentionally suppress? These and other questions need to be looked at. Do some more research as to the pertinence of dreams or go get a book on dream analysis and interpretation to help you derive the underlying causes of your nightmares. Or go to a local mental health clinic for a casual interview that may be minimal in cost. Also try to do some exercises one hour before going to bed. Sometimes that helps the body to unwind and gear down resulting in a more restful sleep. Good Luck!
731612
perhaps admitting you have a problem and calling your doctor. Sometimes you cant help but feel depressed and have anxiaty (?) It may be a chemical imbalace. Might not have anything to do with you directly.
928687
My advice would be to make an appointment with a therapist (and make sure it's one that is going to actually spend time talking to you, not just prescribe the pills and walk out). Lots of healthy people talk to therapists all the time, even when there's nothing wrong, so you don't have to feel weird about it or anything like that. I still talk to my therapist once a month, even though I'm not really going through depression right now, just because I like to have that lifeline. I like to know that if I do find that I have something important to bring up, I can just call her and set up an appointment. Also, she would be able to tell just from talking to you whether or not you need extra help or medication, and it's hard to diagnose yourself sometimes with these things.
988741
Not right now but I SOOOO know how you feel. You need to pursue something you're interested in. That's what keeps me from being down, I just make sure I always have something to work towards.
512577
There's a list of the ten signs of depression.\n\n1. I have deep feelings of sadness.\n2. I have lost interest and pleasure in things I used to enjoy.\n3. I have had changes in my weight and appetite.\n4. I am having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.\n5. I have strong feelings of guilt.\n6. I have trouble concentrating, remembering things and making decisions.\n7. I feel tired and out of energy all of the time.\n8. Others have commented that I am restless or less active.\n9. I feel hopeless and worthless.\n10. I have thoughts of suicide or death.\n\n\nIf you have more than about 8 of these, you're probably clinically depressed.
865079
some people are giving really scary answers to this question!\n\nyup feeling detached is a totally normal symptom of depression. although you shouldnt have to suffer like this - perhaps you could talk to your GP. they could maybe change your medication, in the hope that would help, or maybe refer you to a counsellor or something? just a thought.\n\nanyway, its totally normal - i experienced the same thing myself - so dont worry about it.
562096
No i don't but i used to when i had depression and you have a classic symptom, go and see your doctor and explain everything about how your feeling, they will be able to help, either with councilling or drugs, try to avoid te drugs though untill you have tried other things, don't be scared or embarrassed though it is a very common problem these days, Good luck
603993
I feel like this sometimes...Do you feel down?...If so it could be depression..If not..could be new meds you're taking..But chances are it could be that you feel blue...Try to do something new...Go out..take time for yourself..It might be good for you..
639710
Hello there! I am sorry to hear you are feeling so down. People are so quick to say someone has depression. You say that you act like you are the happiest person on earth, but you aren't happy on the inside. You just have to believe that you do deserve happiness! I believe that you just have low self-esteem and self worth. 17 is a hard age! Believe me...looking back I felt the same way and wondered what the heck was wrong with myself. Just the pressures nowadays that are being put on young people is enough to make someone want to give up! I know to be happy is easier said than done sometimes, and it is a lot of work sometimes. Once you start believing in yourself it will get more simple. Life is too short not to have fun--experience life. I am not saying go out there and do foolish things, but enjoy the silly stuff. I am an adult and I still like to go to toy stores and play with the puppets! Because it makes me happy. I am not here to make anyone happy but myself. It sounds selfish, but before we can help others, we have to help ourselves. Just the fact that you asked the question on here shows that you are ready and willing to make a change for yourself. I have done a lot of "stupid" things in my life, but I have learned that loved ones are there for you no matter what you do. If people really love you, they are there for you no matter what! You can make little changes in your life. Use positive affirmation..when you start to feel those thoughts of hopelessness creep in--say to yourself that you are not listening anymore. If you are still feeling beyond hopelessness, there are many people you can go to to talk about it. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for some help and guidance. It is you standing up and saying you are sick of being that way and taking control of your life. I wish you luck and hope that I helped a little! Take care!
1081815
Okay, not so sure what you're asking.  But feeling "sad" is a lot different from "depressed." You're definitely depressed, because you feel sad ALL THE TIME.  Sleeping a lot is another definite sign of clinical depression.  You need to get some help, it is not your fault, you aren't being selfish, it's just a chemical imbalance or something in your brain that meds can fix.
358086
i am suffering from depression. i feel happy when i am occupied but it having the energy to get and do it in the first place. i dont always look on life as a downer just it feels some days hard to cope with. i feel i need alot more hours in my day as there is so much to do but yet i seem to get nothing done.\non a really bad i just hide away under a cover and dont speak as i just dont know why i am feeling so lonely and scared.\ni hope this has helped you to understand depression a little more and dont forget there is help and there if you need it. you should see your doctor they have heard it all before and wont laugh at you. they are there to listen and give you the right help you need.
1033709
I have often felt the same over the years.  You may want to evaluate the things that make your life "full".  Are they important to you?  Do you really enjoy them?  Or, do they just keep you busy?  You may also want to speak with your doctor about depression which can make you feel that way even when you feel you shouldn't.  Be well.
58305
Hi - I'm sorry that you feel that way. It sounds like you may need to talk with someone professional. There are so many things to be done that can help you to feel more social, or to alleviate that "empty" feeling. I hope you mention these feelings to someone near you who is kind and very caring.
1176211
love yourself and then you will.  is there something that you feel guilty about that makes you think you are not worthy of love?  don't you love others?  then why can't they love you?\nI think you are suffering from depression and need to start by trying to get more sun outside..this stimulated the optic nerve.  also you can try an herbal remedy called "St.John's wart."  you are a beautiful person and you have a beautiful family who needs you to feel good about them, life and yourself.  Friends unfortunately like people who make them feel good, and if you are depressed, you can not do this for them.  You need to find answers and start seeing the beauty in yourself and  the life you have with your family. \n1. I want you to get up in the morning and first thing you do is go to the bathroom and look yourself in the merrow and say "I love you" and "Today is going to be a good day!".  this is a positive affermation.  your brain needs this to balance out the negative feelings and things you have been telling yourself.  you have been abusing yourself.\n2. I want you to tell your family that you love them and compliment them...tell them when they look nice and tell them when you notice something good about them...they need to hear positive things from you too.\n3. Do at least one thing just for you.  something for yourself.  It is to make you feel good, even if it is just soak in a tub with bubble bath...go for a walk, sit in the sun for a few minutes, wear colorful clothing, eat something healthy like a fresh peach...\nMy dear you have a lot of negative energy and you must turn it around.  You know you are depressed and you sound like a woman who beats herself up because she feels overweight..I do that.  look around..how many women do you see that look like a barbie? not many...and they have men who love them and are happy. women who are thin feel the same way...it is a social standard that is put on women by TV and magazines who alter photos of women to be un-naturally tall and beautiful..they paint over the natural photos and air brush them and stretch them so they look perfect....and then men and women think this is what they should look like....it is just not real.\nwhe was the last time you plucked your eye brows, shaved your legs, painted your toe nails...this is what I do when I feel down and remind myself I am beautiful.\n4. Get a part time job or do volunteer work for a few minutes or hours a day..do something for someone else (not in your family) at least 2 times a week. this will get you out of your little world and stop you from "thinking about your depression" all the time. it is rewarding and makes you feel worth something..especially when you get the check or someone says "Thank you so much, you are so wonderful!"  You need to hear this from a total stranger...for some reason we believe strangers more than the ones we love because they have no reason to lie to us.  One time I felt like crap and I picked a few tomatoes from the garden and gave them to an old man down the street and it made us both feel good and now he likes me and smiles when he sees me.\nworking outside alone in the garden is another thing that makes many women feel great.\n\nPlease don't think I am judging you because I was in depression and I was on the couch 24 hours a day and 7 days a week....I didn't know I was depressed but my kids were feeling sad too.\nGet out of the negative vibe...and if you can't...then you need to try St.John's wart or go to a doctor for some antidepressants.\nDo it now because you are missing beautiful moments with yourself and your family.  there are many people who want to be your friend but you have walls up and they know you have closed yourself off......open your heart and your life so they can come in and see the real you.\nwhen you meet someone they see your expression and they feel you are saying to them:  "I do not want to be bothe
812567
You are clinically depressed.  I have been there. While everyone feels down once in a while, and most people feel REALLY down for short periods, you are really down for what sounds like a week or so.  If it continues for another couple of weeks, get professional help.  Even if you are not depressive in general, you are clearly experiencing an episode of depression.  Left untreated, if it continues for many months, it can permanently alter your brain chemistry and TURN you into a depressive person.  This is where drugs can help especially; break a non-depressive person out of the cycle before it becomes permanent and then go off of them. \n\n\n\nIt doesn't have to make sense, it simply IS.  People who just say "cheer up" have not experience what this is like.  To a certain extent people can control moods, but true depression cannot be controlled (though you can control yuor environment so that the odds of getting into an episode are smaller.)\n\nCheck out this first link, then take the short little quiz at the second link,  and then get help if it suggests you should.  I think it will.\n\nhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm#intro\nhttp://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html
156094
Hi, I feel the same way, lost and broken.  You are suffering from depression.  That is the easy answer, the hard part is how to get rid of the depression.  Depression is anger turned inward.  Start by asking yourself Do I feel angry?  If this depressed feeling lasts for more than a few weeks you should see a doctor.  There are 2 kinds of depression situational (the dog dies so you are sad) or chemical depression, one of the brain chemicals is out of balance.  Not a very big deal just ask you doctor.  I wish you luck.  If you want someone to talk to I give great advice, and it is always good to talk to someone.
336817
I hear where your coming from.  You have cone to the point in life when you feel no longer like superwomen.  I felt the same way. now i'm 48 and new disease's is what my doctor has discovered. Lupas, diabetes and everything else is going wrong. I have depression too, I feel isolated.\nBut my feeling are like this, God is in Controll of my self being, even though I've had to slow myself down quite a bit.\nI have learned to seek out Nature, take pictures, paint\nshells and leave a few for other people to find on the beach. Especially the kids to find something pretty that they can take home. do things that give back to nature.\nYou will feel yourself at your very best. I wish you well, and let happiness shine thru you. Prayers to God will really help you to get ready! God Bless you Spiritually!