POLL: Do you consider yourself depressed?

[resolutory]

Just curious whether the people on this forum consider themselves depressed. I personally don't, but whenever I 'talk to someone' and explain this they just claim I am depressed I just don't realise it. I disagree but I can't be bothered to argue about it. But, either way, it got me thinking, do you consider yourself depressed?

EDIT: A lot of people, to my surprise, are saying that they do consider themselves to be depressed, which surprises me considering being depressed is considered to be a reason society uses to not allow someone to commit suicide.

So, alternatively, here's a discussion: Does wanting to kill yourself inherently constitute being depressed? (I might make a seperate post about this as I think it's a really interesting topic and this post wasn't originally intended to answer this question.)

Because, from my point of view, from my understanding of depression and the way society views (and uses) it, it's a mental illness. If someone is 'depressed', the inherent assumption is they are not meant to be like that and, as a result, it invalidates their desires to die. It's used by society to say 'You should not be allowed to commit suicide, because you want to commit suicide because you are depressed'.

I take the stance that you can, logically, want to kill yourself without being depressed. You can look at your circumstances and say 'I do not think life is worth living for me' and conclude suicide to be the best option. And this is why I, personally, believe desiring suicide does not inherently mean depression. Quite the opposite, I sometimes could consider someone mentally ill (in my opinion, from my perspective) if they were met with circumstances where it would be easily understood that they would want to kill themself (imo) yet don't experience this desire. Yet it isn't my place to say that they're ill or wrong for thinking that (regardless of my opinion) because they should be allowed to think and feel what they want and work out and do what's best for them. That's where the problem is: I respect people's desire to live, yet people don't respect others desire to die.

 

[A simple aid]

Just curious whether the people on this forum consider themselves depressed. I personally don't, but whenever I 'talk to someone' and explain this they just claim I am depressed I just don't realise it. I disagree but I can't be bothered to argue about it. But, either way, it got me thinking, do you consider yourself depressed?

quite the specimen we have here.....hmmm.....so what r u

 

[Forever Sleep]

It's a difficult one to answer really because I'm not sure I have a gauge of what a 'normal' mind feels like. I think I've felt like this for so long that I can't pinpoint the time if/ when the change happened.

I don't think I was an unhappy child but everything really went to shit from age 10 upwards- so I guess earlier than that, I probably didn't think about my own mental state that much.

I kind of know if I went to my GP now and filled in their ridiculous questionnaire, I would likely come out being diagnosed with mild- moderate depression- the same as last time- although I'm guessing you're looking more for our own opinions rather than multiple choice medical ones.

I guess I do look at other people and realise my thinking is very negatively skewed. I tend to think I'm a realist though and they're more on the delusional side!

It's hard to say isn't it? Do you ever wonder what your life experience would be like if you had an outlook more like the 'normies'? I suppose that's what tells me I might have depression.

 

[A simple aid]

It's a difficult one to answer really because I'm not sure I have a gauge of what a 'normal' mind feels like. I think I've felt like this for so long that I can't pinpoint the time if/ when the change happened.

I don't think I was an unhappy child but everything really went to shit from age 10 upwards- so I guess earlier than that, I probably didn't think about my own mental state that much.

I kind of know if I went to my GP now and filled in their ridiculous questionnaire, I would likely come out being diagnosed with mild- moderate depression- the same as last time- although I'm guessing you're looking more for our own opinions rather than multiple choice medical ones.

I guess I do look at other people and realise my thinking is very negatively skewed. I tend to think I'm a realist though and they're more on the delusional side!

It's hard to say isn't it? Do you ever wonder what your life experience would be like if you had an outlook more like the 'normies'? I suppose that's what tells me I might have depression.

hey we both ....relative realists lol

 

[lemonhoney]

I always joked about being depressed and suicidal. I was definitely repressing my true emotions, ignoring them and coping with self harming instead. My mind was like "yeah everyone's depressed just hurt urself and move on" because everything else in my life was going okay. Often times I excused my bad behavior with "I'm depressed so this makes sense"

It's when things don't go okay or according to plan. That's when my depression got the best of me. I didn't have the tools or knowledge of how to move forward because I just kept coping with self harming and not actually reflecting on what happened and how to react.

For me, depression didn't just hit me. It crept up to the point where I had to face it. I avoided therapy because I thought I didn't have much to talk about. I brushed off emotions because I thought it was a sign of weakness and cringey. Then I got dumped and BAM, all that ignoring and repressing ate me alive (still going thru it). And now I'm on SS so yeah, guess that's what happens when you ignore depression for so long. I wake up at least twice a night in panic, arms get numb during anxiety attacks, I have SN in my drawers…things I never thought would happen to me happened.

So even if you don't think you're depressed, it's okay to get help. You don't have to be depressed to talk about ur emotions and actions. I wish I got help sooner , I made the mistake of waiting until it was too late. All that noise about "everyone needs therapy" felt like BS to me until I actually needed therapy.

TLDR; Ignored depression and then got really depressed to the point where I'm on a suicide forum. Yes I considered myself very depressed now.

 

[A simple aid]

I always joked about being depressed and suicidal. I was definitely repressing my true emotions, ignoring them and coping with self harming instead. My mind was like "yeah everyone's depressed just hurt urself and move on" because everything else in my life was going okay. Often times I excused my bad behavior with "I'm depressed so this makes sense"

It's when things don't go okay or according to plan. That's when my depression got the best of me. I didn't have the tools or knowledge of how to move forward because I just kept coping with self harming and not actually reflecting on what happened and how to react.

For me, depression didn't just hit me. It crept up to the point where I had to face it. I avoided therapy because I thought I didn't have much to talk about. I brushed off emotions because I thought it was a sign of weakness and cringey. Then I got dumped and BAM, all that ignoring and repressing ate me alive (still going thru it). And now I'm on SS so yeah, guess that's what happens when you ignore depression for so long. I wake up at least twice a night in panic, arms get numb during anxiety attacks, I have SN in my drawers…things I never thought would happen to me happened.

So even if you don't think you're depressed, it's okay to get help. You don't have to be depressed to talk about ur emotions and actions. I wish I got help sooner , I made the mistake of waiting until it was too late. All that noise about "everyone needs therapy" felt like BS to me until I actually needed therapy.

TLDR; Ignored depression and then got really depressed to the point where I'm on a suicide forum. Yes I considered myself very depressed now.

lovely statement by lemon.....i would only say that if you do get help please try it from this site first before going outside....you have a higher chance of being helped and understood here...than outside....and myself is quite available to questions and assistance...granted you are open minded......also lemon if you are interested in talking thatd be cool...maybe we can both laugh about just how hopeless the situation truly is....or maybe after the sn attempt...your choice man

 

[nopride86]

I don't consider myself depressed, but I know that I am. That's why I picked "yes" in the poll.
If I ever were to admit it, to myself or others, it would insinuate that depression meds would fix things. It will most definitely not fix anything.

My situation would be the same regardless of what pills would try convince my brain otherwise. So therefore, I am not depressed, I just have symptoms of depression due to the reality that I live in.

 

[EndlessDespair]

Just curious whether the people on this forum consider themselves depressed. I personally don't, but whenever I 'talk to someone' and explain this they just claim I am depressed I just don't realise it. I disagree but I can't be bothered to argue about it. But, either way, it got me thinking, do you consider yourself depressed?

I was Depressed in middle school, now I'm way past that.

 

[lemonhoney]

lovely statement by lemon.....i would only say that if you do get help please try it from this site first before going outside....you have a higher chance of being helped and understood here...than outside....and myself is quite available to questions and assistance...granted you are open minded......also lemon if you are interested in talking thatd be cool...maybe we can both laugh about just how hopeless the situation truly is....or maybe after the sn attempt...your choice man

Thanks dude. Yeah this site def helps in addition to therapy. In therapy I did express suicidal ideation and they haven't hospitalized me, but I didn't tell them about the SN. The thought of CTB brings me comfort but I def can't do SN even tho I have it. It's more of a reminder at this point. Now if I had N on the other hand…

 

[jodes2]

All the tests I fill out say I have depression. But I don't feel sad. Just frustrated and uneasy. So idk. I've been diagnosed with it in the past, I don't know if it still holds. I'm on antidepressants.

 

[Venus13]

I don't actually. I have a lot of other problems and tragic mental distortions, but I don't think I meet the description of depressed.

I can wake up, take in the sunshine and just be fully content with the bare minimum. My problems are rooted in trauma, anxiety, and physical issues. I find myself to be very light and cheery deep inside, just scared out of my mind about real problems that have happened and more that could come.

 

[A simple aid]

Thanks dude. Yeah this site def helps in addition to therapy. In therapy I did express suicidal ideation and they haven't hospitalized me, but I didn't tell them about the SN. The thought of CTB brings me comfort but I def can't do SN even tho I have it. It's more of a reminder at this point. Now if I had N on the other hand…

Cool to see ull be around for a while....hit me up when your a little optimistic and wanna try life with one more strategy
And to all those depressed or in some interesting state....i offer my help....i do find myself more qualified(capable) than most "help"....so feel free to message me or something

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

Existentially depressed. Bedridden. When I dream at night I'm often free and happy even joyous. Reality is heavy and poisoned. Hopeless.

 

[niiina]

I'm severely depressed

 

[Dubito]

Me, too.

 

[FuneralCry]

In my case, depression is a rational response to seeing life for what it really is. It's not a 'mental illness', I personally despise life and don't want to suffer and suffering is simply inevitable in life. I would prefer permanent non existence where I'm finally free from the prison that is existence. To me it's irrational to want to stay in a world where there are no limits as to how horrible things can get, it makes sense to hate life and wish to leave. Life is so awful, useless and pointless and of course life itself is the cause of all problems. There is no value or benefit to enduring unnecessary suffering until old age where we will just slowly deteriorate and then just die anyway.

 

[resolutory]

In my case, depression is a rational response to seeing life for what it really is. It's not a 'mental illness', I personally despise life and don't want to suffer and suffering is simply inevitable in life. I would prefer permanent non existence where I'm finally free from the prison that is existence. To me it's irrational to want to stay in a world where there are no limits as to how horrible things can get, it makes sense to hate life and wish to leave. Life is so awful, useless and pointless and of course life itself is the cause of all problems. There is no value or benefit to enduring unnecessary suffering until old age where we will just slowly deteriorate and then just die anyway.

Yeah, this is basically how I see it. I wouldn't consider myself depressed though because that's a term that society uses to invalidate the desire to die, but I believe that people can very appropriately, logically, look at life and say 'the best option for me is to die', whether that be to bad circumstances or whatever. It baffles me that society doesn't understand this concept.

 

[ksp]

no, i'm not depressed
no, i'm not mentally ill, and
no, i don't need any 'help'

but i do want to die

i'm normal - i take life's ups and downs as they come
i'm perfectly able make my own decisions through introspection and self analysis
(i feel how i feel: i don't care how others think how i 'should' feel)
i'm sad that a sick society denies my right to choose, instead insisting that i should be heavily judged

 

[resolutory]

no, i'm not depressed
no, i'm not mentally ill, and
no, i don't need any 'help'

but i do want to die

i'm normal - i take life's ups and downs as they come
i'm perfectly able make my own decisions through introspection and self analysis
(i feel how i feel: i don't care how others think how i 'should' feel)
i'm sad that a sick society denies my right to choose, instead insisting that i should be heavily judged

You have summed up my opinions on the matter perfectly!

It's really suprising to me that so many people on here consider themselves depressed.

 

[jackie_boy1337]

I wouldn't consider myself depressed.

I know my problem is that I have a really factual, realistic view of life; and people mistake that for depression.
But it's not.

 

[CTB Dream]

Even befor all happen depress but this word use wrong use discrimination negative. Now depress more why not injury damage lose all why not depress , this species terrible

 

[IanUK]

Just curious whether the people on this forum consider themselves depressed. I personally don't, but whenever I 'talk to someone' and explain this they just claim I am depressed I just don't realise it. I disagree but I can't be bothered to argue about it. But, either way, it got me thinking, do you consider yourself depressed?

EDIT: A lot of people, to my surprise, are saying that they do consider themselves to be depressed, which surprises me considering being depressed is considered to be a reason society uses to not allow someone to commit suicide.

So, alternatively, here's a discussion: Does wanting to kill yourself inherently constitute being depressed? (I might make a seperate post about this as I think it's a really interesting topic and this topic wasn't originally answering this question.)

Because, from my point of view, from my understanding of depression and the way society views (and uses) it, it's a mental illness. If someone is 'depressed', the inherent assumption is they are not meant to be like that and, as a result, it invalidates their desires to die. It's used by society to say 'You should not be allowed to commit suicide, because you want to commit suicide because you are depressed'.

I take the stance that you can, logically, want to kill yourself without being depressed. You can look at your circumstances and say 'I do not think life is worth living for me' and conclude suicide to be the best option. And this is why I, personally, believe desiring suicide does not inherently mean depression. Quite the opposite, I sometimes could consider someone mentally ill (in my opinion, from my perspective) if they were met with circumstances where it would be easily understood that they would want to kill themself (imo) yet don't experience this desire. Yet it isn't my place to say that they're wrong for thinking that they because they should be allowed to think and feel what they want and work out what's best for them. That's where the problem is: I respect people's desire to live, yet people don't respect others desire to die.

Good question - I've felt like I do for as long as I can remember. I loathe myself, I hate humanity, I do t see the purpose of my existence. I was the last of 3 kids coming later so suspect I was one of natures accidents and should never have been born - if only. I've hated my life from beginning to today and yet been reasonably successful so I imagine how much better I would have done if I had cared. It feels like I e been waiting decades to die and as I get older am more careless of health. I only stopped smoking because of the cost. Yeah I guess I've been depressed for the last 60 years. I can't wait to die.

 

[resolutory]

I wouldn't consider myself depressed.

I know my problem is that I have a really factual, realistic view of life; and people mistake that for depression.
But it's not.

Yeah! This is exactly how I feel and what I experience too.

 

[well2hell]

So, alternatively, here's a discussion: Does wanting to kill yourself inherently constitute being depressed?

Seems like chronic (physical) and terminal illnesses are missing from the discussion!

I have two severely disabling physical diseases from which I am bedridden and that are neglected by medicine. There are no treatments and no hope that research will come up with one within the next 5 years (10 years sounds plausible, though). However, I am not depressed: my mood is fine and I wake up everyday wanting to do a thousand things… which my body can't.

Having talked to many folks in the same situation, many aren't depressed either; for those who are, it solely owes to the impact of the disease(s) on their lives. After all, being bedridden in a dark, silent room 24/7 and not being able to talk more than a few words, if any, is a death sentence in itself. But none of them want to kill themselves — they want a treatment that will give them their lives back. Surprisingly, some who are 10 or even 30 years in manage to keep their hopes up for this, despite the many disappointments research (or lack thereof) has brought since they have fallen ill.

Personally, having a reliable and peaceful way to go is an insurance policy. If my symptoms become beyond horrible for too long, I know that I can opt out of the suffering, and that is reassuring. No more, no less. I would much prefer that a treatment sees the light of day rather than going down this route, though.

 

[outrider567]

Absolutely, because of loss

 

[Salvation_]

Having depression on and off for years makes you realize you can never truly be rid of it. Maybe some people get better. For such a "temporary problem", it definitely doesn't feel temporary. That depression infects every aspect of your life. It makes life not worth living anymore. It's hard you deal with it for years, especially people who think it's just a phase. People who say "everyone gets sad" when they've never experienced a period of months where every day, one wakes up and wishes they could stay asleep forever. People who don't fantasize about killing themselves to make the depression finally stop. It's fucking miserable to be depressed. The worst part is that you don't feel like yourself anymore in the moments you're not depressed. Because you know it's gonna come back. And you know you'll be pulled back down to hell when you relapse. It's a permanent solution to a permanent problem. After all, where else can you escape?

 

[FallFadesIntoWinter]

I'm not clinically depressed (in terms of how I'd be diagnosed by a therapist) but wanting/thinking/hoping to kill myself at least 4x per week over the past couple of years, yeah, I'd say I'm depressed. Although, maybe if I think about suicide 4x a week, that's considered clinical. I dunno, does it even matter if it's clinical or not?

It's a tough thing to ask yourself though... does anything in your life have meaning still or make you happy?

I think, personally for myself, I can count on both hands (just once) of all the things that make me happy in life and literally half of them are food lol. But, seriously, if I can only count to 10 or less and have a mountain of things that make me unhappy or sad, I'd say that's depression for me.

 

[Disappointered]

Yes, I would consider myself depressed. I don't think that should invalidate wanting to die since as far as medical conditions go, it's something that is rarely cured and poorly treated. It's also almost never exclusively caused by something innate and at a minimum will have a negative impact on the person's life. So whether or not it's categorized as a disease it's also a response to a less than satisfactory life history (usually an extremely unsatisfactory life history) which means it would also have a rationale for someone in the same position who wouldn't be categorized as depressed.

Meds have made almost no difference and talk therapy has usually harmed me. Medicalising the condition as as kind of "loseritis" with another name is just one more among many lies.

 

[castlebravo]

I'm depressed. I have health issues that contribute to that. I find no joy in anything. I wish I could sleep all the time. Every task feels impossible. Every setback is catastrophe. I recognize these as signs of depression.

 

[avaug]

I certainly feel depressed and my doctor's little questionnaire confirmed it. He seemed fine with me admitting I've been thinking a lot about ctb, because I lied and said I don't have any immediate plans to.