> 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 di

> 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.