4 ms·

How do you identify when you are going through depression, and not a temporary down-trending mood for some situation? What are your tools for dealing with it?

How do you identify when you are going through depression, and not a temporary down-trending mood for some situation? What are your tools for dealing with it? Any book/therapy came in handy?

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
hirvi74 2y ago
> How do you identify when you are going through depression, and not a temporary down-trending mood for some situation? I'm not entirely convinced those are different states of mind. However, that is not really a satisfying answer. In my lived experience, the easiest way for me to tell the difference is mainly by answering these two questions: 1. Am I capable of making and sustaining meaningful changes in order to better my situation? 2. How long have I felt this way? So, I am in a depressed state currently, and I have been in one on/off for about 3 years now. This ain't my first rodeo, and it won't be my last, sadly. I know it because I am seemingly incapable of sustaining necessary changes to better my situations. The low-energy, low stress tolerance, and anhedonia are a PITA to overcome. As for the length of time, I have noticed with something more situational, the issues tend to get an incrementally better with time. With depression, the pattern seems to be more random. I might feel fine for a few days, down for a few, etc.. At least for me, depression has never been a 24/7 kind of issue. Often times, depressive states just seem to spontaneously resolve themselves. Research also somewhat supports this conclusion as well. I think like around half of cases of depression spontaneously resolve within a year.
zdragnar 2y ago
For me, the difference is simple: "depression" depression doesn't correlate to anything in my life- stress, events, how I currently view myself, etc. Any of those things that make me feel down are me being naturally sad. If that's not happening and I still feel lethargic, unmotivated, not wanting to be awake, or (comorbid with anxiety) a constriction around my chest and a sensation of sinking into despair (a practically physical sinking sensation), well, that's "depression" depression. Therapy helped kickstart recovery, medication helps keep my mood stable, so long as my stress levels also stay in check.

How do you identify when you are going through depression, and not a temporary down-trending mood for some situation? What are your tools for dealing with it? Any book/therapy came in handy?

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

hirvi74 2y ago

> How do you identify when you are going through depression, and not a temporary down-trending mood for some situation? I'm not entirely convinced those are different states of mind. However, that is not really a satisfying answer. In my lived experience, the easiest way for me to tell the difference is mainly by answering these two questions: 1. Am I capable of making and sustaining meaningful changes in order to better my situation? 2. How long have I felt this way? So, I am in a depressed state currently, and I have been in one on/off for about 3 years now. This ain't my first rodeo, and it won't be my last, sadly. I know it because I am seemingly incapable of sustaining necessary changes to better my situations. The low-energy, low stress tolerance, and anhedonia are a PITA to overcome. As for the length of time, I have noticed with something more situational, the issues tend to get an incrementally better with time. With depression, the pattern seems to be more random. I might feel fine for a few days, down for a few, etc.. At least for me, depression has never been a 24/7 kind of issue. Often times, depressive states just seem to spontaneously resolve themselves. Research also somewhat supports this conclusion as well. I think like around half of cases of depression spontaneously resolve within a year.

zdragnar 2y ago

For me, the difference is simple: "depression" depression doesn't correlate to anything in my life- stress, events, how I currently view myself, etc. Any of those things that make me feel down are me being naturally sad. If that's not happening and I still feel lethargic, unmotivated, not wanting to be awake, or (comorbid with anxiety) a constriction around my chest and a sensation of sinking into despair (a practically physical sinking sensation), well, that's "depression" depression. Therapy helped kickstart recovery, medication helps keep my mood stable, so long as my stress levels also stay in check.