How do I know if I have Depression?

Most depressed people don’t seem depressed.

For many people, depression sneaks up on you. In real life, depression is harder to identify than the typical "movie version" of depression. That's because most of the impact is internal.

You still show up for work but are often late, unmotivated, or irritable. You are able to pay your bills, but may feel hopeless about your financial situation. You mostly reply to texts, but it’s been a while since you’ve gone out and connected with people. Friends and family might not notice anything is different. To them, you seem like yourself.

But internally, everything feels impossible. 

Small chores are overwhelming. Committing to friends is hard. You don't know if you will feel like going to that party in two weeks. In fact, you've lost interest in most things that you used to love. You're just trying to make it through the day.

The clean and dirty laundry piles are starting to turn into one big monster pile. Meanwhile, you're filling up online shopping carts with more stuff you don't need. Maybe a new outfit will make you feel better?

The fridge is empty, so you order take-out that you probably shouldn't be ordering. You tell yourself you're just taking it easy today.

It's not exactly sadness that you're feeling. You just don't feel anything. And if you do, it's either irritation, or hopelessness.

You tell yourself, "I'll feel better tomorrow. I'm just taking care of myself today."

But tomorrow comes, and you feel disappointed that nothing has changed. You start to worry that you'll never feel better. You look around and wonder, "How did my life turn into this?"

What does depression feel like?

It can be hard for your loved one to explain what depression feels like to them. That’s because it’s often described as a lack of feeling, or numbness. It can impact our relationships, our self-esteem, our work, our social life, and our bodies. The most insidious thing about depression is that it can hide in plain sight.

Emotionally, it can feel like numbness, boredom, or irritability. Physically, depression can feel like your whole body is stuck in neutral, or that you are carrying a weighted blanket around you at all times. It can cause changes in your sleep, energy levels, appetite and more. Which sucks, because those experiences can compound depression as well.

What are the most common signs of depression?

• Feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities.

• Anhedonia: no longer taking pleasure in previously pleasurable activities.

• Difficulty concentrating, “brain fog,” and noticeable memory difficulties.

• Irritability, quick to anger, lower frustration tolerance.

• Too much or too little sleep, lower energy, lethargy, insomnia.

• Changes in appetite and possibly changes in weight.

how to cure Depression

Depression isn't your fault. And it's not something you can always fix on your own. (Hey, if you could, you would have by now!) Plus, it can be hard to spot what's going on. If other people don't notice, then it can't be that bad, right?

All you know is you feel disconnected. Like you're just going through the motions. You feel left out of the life you worked so hard for.

The cure for depression isn't just "to feel happy" again. You just want to feel connected to something.

Does Depression Correct itself? How does therapy help with depression?

For many people, even those with intense depression, the “episodes” or periods of depression do sometimes resolve themselves. We remind you of this because in the midst of a depressive period, you will always feel like it lasts forever. It won’t. However, sometimes you need a little help to move things along.

First of all, therapy can co-exist with your life. People avoid seeking help because they think they will have to change everything all at once. Like, "My therapist going to make me start waking up early and meal prepping." It's a good thing therapy doesn't work like that!

We work with you on your terms.

Sometimes just scheduling the appointment makes people feel better. You can start to make other decisions, little by little, that you feel proud of. Instead of just doing the bare minimum to get by. Small things won't feel so overwhelming.

You'll have a place to vent, cry, and say your fears out loud. Without judgment, and without expectation. 

One day, you'll wake up, and you will feel like yourself again.

Once you feel a little better, we can look under the surface and see where your depression comes from. You might already have a pretty good idea about this, and don't want to go there. Which, sorry, is what keeps your depression coming back.

We'll go there, when you're ready. 

With therapy, your depression won't come back as frequently, as intensely, or last as long.

You can learn to spot your depression from a mile away, so that next time, you can get out of its way.

ONline Therapy for Depression in Long Beach and California

You don't have to let it get "really bad" before you decide to heal yourself. Take your well-being into your own hands.

Prospect Therapy is a queer + trans affirming therapy practice based in Long Beach, CA, with a focus on mental health for first-generation, immigrant, and bicultural communities. We continue to provide online therapy for a variety of mental wellness and relationship concerns to clients throughout the state of California. Learn more about how we bring lived experience to our work with people of all ages in our communities by requesting a consultation below.