Signs of depression

[serendipity]

I must admit I have been stressed out at work for quite some time, actually for several months already and it started just with rather small scale but now I don't think I can ignore it at all as it started to affect my behaviour and my physical health even.
Some friends I have known here have told me that my mood seems to be going downhill since they started knowing me several months ago and a friend who was in depression warned me not to fall into depression which I must admit I'm quite worried about.

For one the affected behaviour I was talking about for example:
1. Less laugh more and more even though I personality-wise can be quite bubbly when am excited about something.

2. Just care less and less about how I look, appearance-wise. For example, as vain as it sounds, but being a woman who probably doesn't have that much confidence one can say about her looks, I sometimes fix my make-up after lunch time and usually looked quite nice with not too much make-up going to work and actually dressed quite ok as well. But recently, I don't put on make-up or rather don't care to fix it and so just put it on in the morning but leave it even if it wears off by evening-time as I don't care that much anymore. And I think I dressed better before as well...

3. Prefer to be alone and socialise less and actually find it soothing to be alone and to stay at home. I am quite a homy person in fact, especially when my mood is in that mode, but I am usually a people's person too so would like going out in times as well. But nowadays, I find myself to find it "safer" to be alone, especially after thinking that there is always a possibility if I'm with someone else there might be something that person says or does that would make me feel down and so I would choose to be alone and I guess it's a way to protect myself from being hurt, by escaping...

Do you think the above can be categorised as signs of depression?

[Plavt]

Serendiptity,
The link below may help in diagnosis, hope you can find some help.(goverment run NHS=National Health Service)


http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.aspx?art ... ionId=6432

Best Wishes,

Plavt.

[MusicFever]

serendipity, I have a close firend who is in a much similar situation as you. A lot of friends tried to help but finally things didnt work.
Yeah, to be alone sometimes makes us feel safe but too much protection will only isolate yourself from a complete life, and even can hurt those who are always around you and care about you.
Everybody has depressed time in their life journey, my suggestion is dont think about psychological consultation and medicine treatment first but FORCE yourself to CHANGE. The inner strength from yourself is much more powerful than you can imagine, you must build up your will to try to change yourself. E.g. force yourself to be active and open-minded, think things in a positive way that you didnt use to do, try something brand new you thought you could never like to try. The beginning of the procedure could be tough and painful, but after several months or one year, you will see an obvious change happen to you.
Anyway, if you dont help yourself, nobody can really help you. Dont let depression drives you to fade away. After you overcome it, you will be much stronger than you've ever been.

[Strong Eagle]

I've been there. Please take a look at my website.

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/growth.htm

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/speech.htm

The key to understanding is this: Depression is not your problem. Depression is a symptom that there are other problems in your life that are unresovled; further, you feel powerless to resolve those problems. Faced with the (perceived) inability to make any changes, the psyche retreats into depression.

There are two approaches to helping yourself. The first is the traditional talking therapy. A therapist and you work through what is going on in your life so you can understand what is making you feel the way you do. Sometimes this approach is very successful... it was for me... and for others, not much changes after years.

The second option is to become involved in cognitive or behavioral therapy. The focus here is not so much about your background... sometimes not discussed at all... but rather it focuses on taking concrete actions on changing how you think about yourself... those voices in your head that beat you down.

Either route, know that depression is far more common than many believe, and know that there are lots of people who are willing to reach out and assist.

Good luck.

[Bafana]

Maybe not so suprisingly a lot of BM's have suffered from depression and still battle with it.

Chin up and know there is always a brighter day

[k1w1]

SE: I just read throught he links you posted. It is very moving and inspirational stuff.

I really like your nick, btw.

[GordonGekko]

Hi Serendipity,

Well, it certainly sounds like a depression (been there myself). Try to confide in a friend or a close one. If that doesn't do you any good, try breaking your routines. The third step is to seek professional help and counseling.
Chin up, though. You will overcome this.