I was brought up in a household where depression was not a word we were allowed to use, my mother's solution being the best treatment was to get on and do things. On top of this, I have had a few ups and downs in life but nothing major.
However, looking back on my life, there are clearly defined times when I was really unhappy for long periods. When I was 19 I had a brief spell of having an eating disorder and was so unhappy I would fantasise about hurting myself; when I was in my mid 20s I went through a similar phase after a bad break - up; and again when my son started nursery I remember shutting the kitchen door and lying down on the kitchen floor crying because I felt so miserable. I never went to my GP as I always blamed it on an external source and just pulled myself together and eventually it lifted.
For the past 3 years things have been really good but in ghe past couple of months my mood has been slipping and this time there is no reason for it. I have a really big exam coming up soon (it is not stressful as it is something I have always wanted to do career wise) and I can't afford to be on the wrong side of miserable. At the moment I am still able to function but I know my behaviour is changing and I constantly want to just be left alone which I think is making it even worse. However, I haven't had thoughts if hurting myself like in the past.
What I really want to know is, is this how depression feels? Is it likely it will get worse if I don't get help? I am hoping it will go away by itself at m.