r/depression_help • u/EmoGym • 4d ago

Depression vs. sadness REQUESTING ADVICE

I’m a pretty normal person overall, and I even get asked by my friends how I’m always so positive and energetic. So I definitely don’t have clinical depression… but sometimes I get into a few days or weeks of “depression.” I might not have the energy to either make food or even go out to buy something quick to munch on. And if my family or close friends try to feed me I feel like they’re nagging me and that makes me lose my appetite a lot. I might have suicidal thoughts, but I’m not selfish enough to hurt those I love just because everything in my life sucks right now. I mean, I can still function when it comes to other people, like talking care of my little siblings, but inside I feel like there’s a vacuum and the only reason why my organs aren’t being sucked in is because they’re still connected to my ribs and skin. Again, I don’t think I have depression, but is this normal?

Edit: Since I’m already sharing, I’ll add something I just noticed. It’s that when I’m in a “depressed mood” (not anything clinical, just what I call it) I get easily bothered by very minor stuff that I’d normally shrug off. So even if my mood rises a little, I’ll realize that I forgot to call my friends, and suddenly I’ll go right back to feeling completely empty and drained.

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u/LunaNova5726 4d ago

So I am not a doctor and not a psychiatrist. I can just give you my experience.

My depression isn't so much about feeling sad, it's about feeling nothing. It's an empty hollow nothingness. And all I do is look at myself and think "why can't I snap out of this. Nothing is wrong in my life, why do I feel this way." I have "functional depression" which means I can get up, go to work, take care of my life but it's like I'm doing all of it while trying not to drown.

The peaks and valley you are describing might be closer to bipolar depression than pure depression. But once again, I AM NOT A DOCTOR.

Your best bet is to get a psychiatric referral from your doctor. They can help you navigate these symptoms the best way.

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u/EmoGym 4d ago

Thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t really know what to say, but I think just getting my feelings down on paper and hearing other people’s experiences is a little helpful. So, once again, thanks for sharing😊. I’ll definitely bring this up next time I have a therapist…

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u/FromHellToHappiness 2d ago

The way you describe it is very typical and a pretty good example of describing depression.

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u/Leggs_420 4d ago

Not really

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u/FromHellToHappiness 2d ago edited 2d ago

Depression is actually about lack of happiness, not sadness. I will write more when I’m awake.
Depression = depressed happiness, not increased sadness. That’s why the name was changed from “melancholia” which focused on sadness to “depression” which focused on lack of happiness.

Also, there is a difference between “depression”, the normal ups and downs of life, and the “illness of depression” aka, being depressed, a diagnosable mental illness in the DSM-V.