Am I Depressed?

Am I Depressed? Normal Sadness Vs. Depression Symptoms

All people feel sad sometimes. At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, we know that people can feel sad after a breakup, job loss, or just having a rough week. Experiencing sadness is a normal part of being human. But how do you know when those feelings cross the line from ordinary sadness into clinical depression? This guide will help you answer the question, “Am I depressed?” We hope to help you understand the key differences between normal sadness and depression, and when it might be time to seek professional help.

Understanding Normal Sadness

Sadness is a normal and healthy emotional response to difficult losses and disappointments. This emotion is hard-wired into your brain, and it happens automatically. When you’re experiencing normal sadness, you might feel down for a few minutes, several days or even a couple of weeks. 

Here are some characteristics of normal sadness:

  • It is connected to a specific trigger or event. 
  • It lessens in intensity over time.
  • When you feel normal sadness, you can still experience moments of joy. 
  • It doesn’t significantly impact your daily functioning, like self care and doing your job or school work.
  • It improves with support from friends and family, self-care, and time.

For example, feeling deeply sad after losing a loved one is completely natural and part of the grieving process. After someone you love dies, you might cry frequently, feel unmotivated, or have trouble sleeping. As mental health professionals, we would expect these feelings to be proportional to the situation and gradually improve over time.

What Depression Feels Like

Depression is different. It’s a serious mental health disorder that affects how you think, feel, and function in daily life. Unlike normal sadness, depression often shows up without an obvious trigger, and doesn’t get better simply with time or positive life changes. The symptoms are more severe, persistent, and far-reaching.

Am I Depressed? Key Signs of Depression

At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, we have many talented providers who specialize in treating depression. Below are some symptoms we see in people with depression. If you’ve experienced five or more of these symptoms nearly every day for two weeks or longer, you may be depressed:

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Unexplained irritability or anger
  • Feeling worthless or experiencing excessive guilt
  • Difficulty feeling positive emotions, even during happy events

Physical Symptoms:

  • Significant changes in appetite and weight (either increase or decrease)
  • Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
  • Feeling physically slowed down or agitated
  • Struggling with fatigue or low energy almost every day
  • Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions

The Impact on Daily Life

One of the most telling differences between sadness and depression is how it affects your ability to function. We see people with depression every day who:

  • Struggle to get out of bed in the morning
  • Have trouble maintaining personal hygiene
  • Miss work or school frequently
  • Withdraw from friends and family
  • Are unable to keep up with household chores
  • Find it hard to meet basic daily obligations

Am I Depressed? When to Seek Help

If you recognize some of these depression symptoms in yourself, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and help is available. Consider seeking professional support if:

  • Your symptoms have lasted longer than two weeks
  • You’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
  • Your ability to work, study, or maintain relationships is suffering
  • You’re using alcohol or drugs to cope with your feelings
  • Self-help strategies aren’t making a difference

How Gladstone Can Help

At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, our mental health professionals are well-versed in depression treatment. We offer several effective treatments for depression, including:

Medication Management: For some people, antidepressants can help restore brain chemistry balance and reduce symptoms, making it easier to engage in therapy and daily activities.

Psychotherapy: Gladstone has therapists available to our current medication management patients. Talking with a therapist can help you understand your thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work through underlying issues contributing to your depression.

DBT Therapy: People with severe depression that includes self harm and suicidal ideation might benefit from DBT therapy. Gladstone’s DBT program is certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification and provides high-quality, effective treatment to people with severe depression.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative treatment approach that combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapy to treat depression.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): TMS is a safe and effective medical treatment used to treat certain mental illnesses, including depression. TMS is particularly beneficial when other treatments have been unsuccessful.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re wondering “am I depressed?”, the fact that you’re asking this question means it’s worth exploring further. You can start by contacting Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness to schedule an appointment. You can reach us at 443-708-5856 or new.patient@gladstonepsych.com.

Remember that depression is a treatable condition, not a personal failure or character flaw. With proper support and treatment, most people with depression can and do get better. If you’re struggling, don’t wait to reach out for help.

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. They provide free, confidential support 24/7.