How do you know that you are depressed?

[Thecatsbutler]

Just that really. How do you know your depressed?
I always seem to find a reason/excuse for feeling down or sad, to justify it I suppose. Lately though it has been harder to get it together and put in my happy face.
I'm tired, so tired. I don't want to approach the doctor as it's like the Spanish inquisition getting past the receptionist. I dont have the energy. I really want to feel better, I just dont know how.

I would definitely persevere with the doctor. Explain simply that you wish to discuss some mental health issues with the gp. If pressed say you’d rather not go into more detail.

If you can’t face that is there someone who could call and make an appointment on your behalf?

Getting a diagnosis, if you are depressed, is the first important step. Your GP will be able to help you from there.

Good luck xx

@Thecatsbutler sometimes depression can just be deep unhappiness for no apparent reason, sometimes it's to do with the past.

I know it's difficult to contact a GP at the moment, but if you ring your surgery, when the receptionist asks "why?" just say it's "mental health" and they shouldn't ask any questions, they should arrange a phone call with a Doctor.

Have a good chat with a Doctor, see what they say. I hope they will be able to help you.

Sometimes, things like getting enough sleep, plenty of exercise and a healthy diet can be just as good for you as any anti depressant. But sometimes anti depressants do help. It's up to you how you feel

Do you have to ring? Is there a form you can fill out? I did this a few times last year and the doctor called me back

Thanks. I think I feel a bit of a fraud, if that makes sense. I keep telling myself, I can't be depressed, being depressed are people who are depressed. I can pull off being happy when I'm around people, I can be jovial and upbeat even. When I'm alone though, I feel the real me, sad, lonely, angry, questioning everything in my live. I'm the person who goes to the doctor and when he asks how I am I say "oh, I'm fine" then guiltily mention my ailment 😳
I'm tired of trying to be on top of things. I actively avoid people now, I have started taking the dog a different route to avoid other dog walkers, I dread going shopping in case I have to "be nice" to someone. I actually panic if I think I will have to speak to someone. I feel if I really wanted to I could pull myself together I'm just wallowing in self pity. I should be stronger. What do I have to be depressed about?
If I can't convince myself I could be doing with some help, then why would a doctor believe me.

To me depression is not so much about feelings of sadness, but more about a lack of vitality. No interest in anything. Things that used to bring you joy no longer have any effect. Everything feels harder that it used to, even little things like taking a shower or going to the store. No motivation and difficulty getting enthusiastic about anything...

Taking a shower is sometimes the only thing I get done in a day. I resent having to take the dog for a walk because I don't want to leave the house. I'm either manically cleaning or sitting staring at unwashed dishes and unclean floors. Either ruminating about the past and trying to pinpoint exactly where and when it all started to fall apart or writing a plan of action for the future. If dh suggests we visit so and so or have them over I am immediately thinking of a way out.
We usually have a big family Christmas meal at ours but I have already cancelled this year. My stomach was in knots just thinking about it. I just want to be by myself.

A lot of what you say I can relate to. Depression for me came after a cancer diagnosis and my failure to cope post treatment and the shock of what had happened. In the past I’d coped with difficult things, losing a parent, ivf but suddenly I didn’t know how and the weight of the things I’d just got through came back.

Depression crept in and like you I often feel a fraud, how can I be depressed if I’m able to work through a list of jobs or chat to someone I bump into. But I also avoid seeing people, actively avoided them as trying to make conversation is exhausting. Some days trying to think of something to eat or having a shower is too much. I can’t find the joy in anything which having survived cancer makes me feel worse. Surely I should be grabbing live and living it to the max but in reality I’m waiting for the next terrible thing to happen, which it has and just reinforces how I feel.

Please make that appointment with your GP and be selfish and tell them how you’re feeling. Try to be really honest and they’ll understand and try to help.

OP, it sounds to me that you are depressed and need to talk to a mental health professional which your doctor can arrange.
If you can afford it going private is quicker.

@Nefelibata33
"Sometimes, things like getting enough sleep, plenty of exercise and a healthy diet can be just as good for you as any anti depressant. "
I think that's very dangerous advice.
If someone is suffering depression caused by some unresolved childhood trauma then more sleep and exercise or an improved diet aren't going to help.

Your definitely sounds depressed to me op. There is no rhyme or reason to depression ime and there doesn't need to be anything to be specifically depressed about for it to rear it's ugly head. I doubt the receptionist will quiz you if you tell them it's mental health, I suspect depression is one of the most common things they see.

I've taken antidepressants and had CBT for anxiety and it really does help so do give it a go op.