Difference between feeling low and depression?

[yesimtired]

I won't go into any detail at the moment because I want to get opinions first but I was wondering how you know the difference between just feeling a bit low and actually being depressed. If it makes any difference this relates to a period of about 4 months so far. Sorry if that's not much to go on, I can add more details if necessary. Thanks in advance for any help. (P.s. I name changed after all the hacking).

[QuiteLikely5]

I really don't think you would feel low for four months Hun.

I guess the severity of the thoughts you were having would indicate whether a trip to the GP was required.

[shoopshoopsong]

I would say depression is all consuming and affects all of your actions and decisions unwillingly

[bearleftmonkeyright]

I would talk it out with your GP at the earliest opportunity. I think you can feel as though you are coping for a long time with depression but what happened to me was something small pushed me over the edge. Four months is a long time to feel low. There is no one size fits all I think to diagnosing depression. You are obviously feeling pretty low to put this question out here. Hope you feel better soon. But I would urge you to speak to your GP.

[yesimtired]

Thanks for your quick replies. I find it difficult to speak about these things in real life as I feel like the term depression gets thrown around too easily these days and I know it's not something to be taken lightly. I am starting to get concerned that this goes deeper than feeling low but my main hesitation in speaking out and having to go and see a gp is that I worry that they automatic reaction from them will be medication and from what I know if it due to family experience is that once you go down that path it can be difficult to stop it again. Does anyone know what a gp would suggest at first? Is the go to solution pills?

[yesimtired]

In terms of the severity of my thoughts, at my worst I have started to empathise with self harmers and have almost realised why that helps people but I haven't gotten to the place where I would actually do it myself if that makes any sense.

[Mrswinkler]

If you are feeling being swamped by it all it's depression I reckon. Even if at times you can see a way out, light at the end of the tunnel etc, if it keeps repeating then seriously consider help. And don't be afraid of mild anti- depressants. Is this a situation you need help to see a way out of?

[bearleftmonkeyright]

From what you have said medication would not be a bad choice for you but I am not a medical practicioner, just someone who gets where you're coming from. It really is your choice. I have been on two different anti depressants, citalopram and setraline. I am on the latter now and it has changed my life so much for the better. I also received CBT and can immediately self refer if I feel as though I am relapsing. But you don't have to take medication. It is entirely your choice.

[Misnomer]

I'm sorry your feeling this way.

I don't think that medication is always the best route, depending on what is going on in the persons life, and I worry that it is often given instead of talking therapies. However, medication for depression had changed a lot in recent years and it could well be that your family members experience of it is not really relevant to you because they were in a different type of medication. I have, in the past, been on citalopram and sertraline and I didn't have any trouble stopping taking them. The rule is usually that you think about reducing the dose six months after you start to feel well again. Go and speak to your GP.