How do I tell the difference?

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I'm not sure wether I'm just feeling down or I'm feeling depressed. What is the difference? Everything just seems so bleak at the minute when it shouldn't be. I've got amazing family and friends but still feel down. I've got chronic health conditions and it's just getting to me at the minute, feel like a total failure and worried I'm going to pass these issues onto my children.

If it lasts for more than two weeks and especially if it seems to be getting more intense. I've had three bouts of severe depression/been in hospital and a lot of blips so I know it's a bit horrid when you're waiting it out to see if it goes on it's own/with a bit of willpower/TLC.

Hope it passes but whenever in doubt get straight to the Dr/GP!! It can really get it's claws in whilst you're waiting for medication to kick in (if you do decide to go down that route) so it's always best to nip it in the bud

And I don't know about you but the difference between feeling a bit down and being depressed for me was that depression makes everything seem a little more bleak and I don't feel like doing anything/lose the motivation/enjoyment side of life.

Thanks orchard, I've felt like this before and I've managed to get a handle on it with exercise and trying to change my thought process but I've got so many things getting to me at the minute it's hard. Everything feels like one huge chore! Even had friends round recently and I felt like I still couldn't relax and was on edge. I felt physically sick.
Problem is I don't want any meds cos I'm on things already for other health conditions. Not sure if talking to someone neutral might help.
I don't know