Where is the line between very down & depressed? Does it vary from person to person?

[AntirhinumMajus]

I have had depression before - each time I was unable to see a positive future I took AD's & I got better

ATM everyone is telling me that I am depressed but, although I do feel very down, I can see a better future. I know when the current situation changes things will immediately get better and more easy to deal with.

Am I fooling myself? Am I depressed?

I am eating OK (not quite as well as normal), I am sleeping OK (again not quite as well as normal)

I am monitoring the situation & I have discussed it with my GP who suggested that as I had been depressed before I would probably recognise it in myself again.

Should I be doing anything else?

Personally, I too know it is time to see my GP when I can't see things getting better and start having morbid thoughts.

If it is not that bad I try to do as much as I can to improve matters - using a lightbox in winter, stabilising blood sugar levels, getting outside for exercise, talking to friends, regular bedtimes.

My only concern would be that sometimes I get into a funk where I almost don't want to get better as I have become used to being low and limiting activities.

I don't think I have been in your 'funk' but it is possible that it might happen

I have also never had morbid thoughts - I just couldn't see a better future

But as I can see that when my current problems go, things will get better (I hope)

Oh I don't know, maybe I am depressed

You said 'everyone is telling' you you are depressed. Would you feel able to have a proper talk with one of these people and ask what they are concerned about. Do they think you are behaving the same way as you did during your previous episode(s)?

I don't think it is as simple as normal vs. depressed. It seems more like a scale and you can decide how far you are willing to let it slide before you ask for help.

Maybe by recognising that you might be becoming depressed you allow yourself to make changes and ask for help.

I don't know if this makes sense to you but I have found that by making the statement to myself that I feel depressed I can then take a more objective look at my situation rather than sticking my head in the sand and hoping things will get better.

That's it

The people who say I am depressed didn't know me when I was

My Mum & close friends say I am a bit down but that I am in no way as bad/down as I was on either previous occasion

I am a very positive person & I am not being as decisive as I normally am

It is difficult to tell (I agree about the sliding scale)

Check this out Edinburgh depression test

It says it's for PND but I remember being given it years before I had a baby.

I got a 6 - which I think is OK

Go with your instincts, I say. If you can see hope, that's a good sign. Your doctor seems to agree with you by the sounds of things.

But do keep an eye on it, if you get worse, go back to your doctor.

Eating and sleeping are definitely key indicators so if these worsen, then I'd say it's time to see the doc again

I think you seem in control of this situation but do take care of yourself. I have suffered from anxiety in the past too in my case there were particular events which led to it but I remember that I couldn't see how low I'd got until I'd suffered more than I needed to. I think doozle is right you need to look out for yourself. Sleeping was the thing that finally got me to the doctor - I wish I'd gone before.

Today I did lots of OU work plus some accounts stuff then spent several hours formatting/setting up a new computer

I don't think I could do that sort of stuff when I was depressed last time (or the time before)

I agree eating & sleeping are very important - but I am doing both

My weight has crept up by a pound or 4 (but I had my period last week so that isn't dramatically unusual)

So I think I am OK atm

I'm glad to hear it - look after yourself