What to Do When You Think You're Depressed

"Depression isn't always at 3 AM. Sometimes it's at 3 PM, when you're with your friends, half way through a laugh."

I've been struggling with depression the last few years. Recently it's become worse due to university stress and some family problems. I keep thinking, what can I do to make this stop? Why won't it stop? Before you continue reading, disclaimer, I'm NOT a doctor or therapist and this is all coming from my own personal experiences with depression, which can be different for everyone. I'm a woman also—it can be different in men.

The Signs

1. Lack of energy - Feeling really tired or just can't seem to get out of bed? Feeling like you need a nap in the middle of the day? This sign is one of the most common
2. No Interest - Having passions and interests is something that is important to a person, I found with my depression I was no longer interested in doing anything I used to love doing. I just didn't want to do anything.
3. Appetite - Not wanting to eat as much or at all, no longer enjoying meals or cooking them, or not being able to cook them because you can't quite do it. Or, the other way, eating too much, stress eating and weight gain.
4. The Feeling - Anxiety, guilt, feeling you want to cry all the time, emptiness, not feeling worth anything at all, not being able to concentrate.

So, what options do you have to get better?

In my experience, I've tried a couple of things, but there's more out there to try so I'm still working on it.

1. Doctors - Obvious choice, they can help guide you in the right direction and help diagnose what is happening which, when I went, put my mind at ease a little as it made me feel like I wasn't being over dramatic but that there was something wrong. They can give you therapist information, websites to visit, things to do and if you want to, pills to take.
2. Therapy - Some depression comes from deep down from our own experiences, I know some of mine have contributed to the way that I feel. Talking to someone who can help guide your mind to the right place, make you think about your life and experiences differently.
3. Trying something new - I know this sounds like an odd one, but throwing yourself into a new hobby or sport with new people can help a great deal. New people can bring out something exciting, doing sports triggers the right chemicals if you can bring yourself to try them.
4. Online - Maybe all you need is advice from a post like this. Or on a forum that deals with an influx of people like you talking about things they need to talk about. Websites, like this, where you can reach out to people who don't know you but you feel you can talk to.

Depression isn't forever, and finding help is important before something goes wrong. I'm working on it myself, still looking for answers. Don't let it get too late.