Am I depressed?

[Dominique07]

Do you think I am depressed?
When I'm feeling down, sad or disappointed I can't bear to see my friends. I feel like if I'm going to meet up with friends I shouldn't moan or be miserable so if i'm not in the mood i just don't think its a good idea to meet anyone. Anyway, I could never force the words out of my mouth, I think I'm depressed, or I need help.
If i did to DP he would think I was attention seeking and ask why I don't go out and see my friends. He wouldn't really know what to do except tell me to see my GP.
I often make excuses not to see my friends but then sometimes I force myself to go out and meet someone at the cafe for example, this could be quite rarely, every 6 months or so.
I prefer to chat to friends online, on facebook, or spend time on MN!!!
I'm feeling down whenever I'm not at work and on Easter holiday, and then when at work, if its stressful I feel really really like quitting! Although, actually being busy at work, or being busy doing something fun with DS are what gets me through life.
I love my DP but in a way I feel like a failure on his part throws me into real depression. I'm only on work experience at the moment.
I think that I will be happy when I have a job, and the respect and the income that comes with that. So, does that make me depressed, or just frustrated with my circumstances!?!

It does sound as though you might be a little depressed. You could try talking to your health visitor or if not perhaps a close friend who might come with you to talk to your GP or health visitor.
Being depressed is NOT attention seeking. It is a serious and often debilitating illness. I have suffered from depression intermitantly for years and am quite happy to discuss my experience with you if you think it will help.

Thanks for your reply.
I am worried about talking to the GP, I am on a PGCE and don't want to get a record of poor mental health right now when I'm job hunting, especially if it turns out its the job hunting situation thats really the main cause of me feeling down IYSWIM?
Is being depressed just a label that you give to how you're feeling like a symptom, or is it really a cause?

I can really understand your hesitation to go to the G.P but its very important that you keep an eye on things yourself and reconcider if things don't improve or deteriorate.

There are lots of different oppinions about depression. I've suffered with it for years and had various different treatments. My opinion and bear in mind that this is only my opinion is that, it is an illness. I'm of the school of thought that severe depresion is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

However having said that I also agree with the school of thought that says that the way we think about things can influence the way we feel. I have had lots of CBT (cognative behavioural therapy) over the years and have found several useful techniques to help my mood (providing its not too low in the first place)

Hi OP, I'm in a similar situation. Am not on work exp, however I have my own business which isn't really making a profit therefore am completely dependent on DH. I too have had depression on and off for about 10 years. I have had counselling and the therapist said that depression can be triggered by feelings of a loss of control of a situation - whether that's work related or something else. Do you think that is part of the problem for you? I do think that in your and my situation it has something to do with how we feel about ourselves and what you mentioned about not having the respect and income from a 'proper' job.

OP - fwiw, I do think you may be depressed. One of the classic symptoms is wanting to shut yourself away and not see anyone. I hate telling people when I'm feeling down as I feel such a failure and guilty for feeling like this (as on the face of it, I have a very good life with so many opportunities). If others haven't experienced depression, it's very hard for them to offer advice.

Re shutting yourself away, it's important to know which fundamental personality type you are. Extraverts are emotionally nourished through contact with people; introverts are drained by contact (even if it's contact they enjoy). When stressed, introverts need to withdraw from people - because they don't have the emotional energy to spare. Sounds like you may be an introvert.

But it perhaps sounds like you may be driven to perform: when you are not working you feel as though you are not someone? People who define themselves by 'doing' rather than 'being' can find it hard to get through life, especially in relationships (where love has to be earned).

So I don't think it's depression, so much as a matter of self-definition.

online guessing at diagnostics isnt reliable or safe.you must go see gp.face to face assessment,he can see you ,see your facial expressions,tone of voice,nuances,ask questions. no one on internet can safely assess or guess your mental state

hope you can do this and at least get some clarification

make gp appt or if desperate go A&E see psych team

good luck