208k views
4 votes
How can I know if I have depression or if I am just sad?

User Frankster
by
5.2k points

2 Answers

5 votes

Answer:

Unlike what the other person said, you don't need a medical diagnoses to know if you are depressed.

You need a medical diagnoses to get medication for depression and, if it's so bad that you can't work / go to school etc. then you need that for disability benefits.

However, usually you can tell if you are depressed / have depression by the following (mind you this is a list I pulled from my own therapist and my own symptoms. I was professionally diagnosed in October of 2020 with Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD, however I *knew* I was depressed LOOONG before then):

1. Trouble Sleeping / Sleeping more than usual

2. Lack of concentration

3. Short-Term Memory Loss

4. Anger / Irritability

5. Withdrawal from others

6. Changes in personal appearance (This isn't hand in hand, but it does go along w/ depression)

7. Thoughts of offing yourself / self harm

8. Weight changes (either gaining weight a lot, or losing a lot of weight, even if your diet doesn't change)

9. Abandoning your hobbies

Mind you, this is only a small list.

If you are seriously concerned about your mental health there are multiple online and in-person resources you can use to talk to someone about this!

User Nayan Bhana
by
5.3k points
3 votes

Answer:

well you would have to get a medical diagnosis to know

User Andreas Rehm
by
4.9k points