How did you know you suffer from depression?

@BashayerN

Get assessed now. Get diagnosed. You don't even have to have every symptom to ask for a diagnosis. If you feel something's wrong, that's the time to get assessed. You don't have to wait a certain amount of time, you don't have to have certain symptoms to seek out a diagnosis. I can't believe you've gotten through 5 years of possible depression with no help.
You're way past the time when you should've sought help. Ask for help as soon as possible. Get therapy, get medication (if you want, it doesn't work for everyone and not everyone is ok with medication).

You have suffered far too long. You deserve help. And guess what? Accepting that you need help is the first step to getting help.
💜💜💜

@BashayerN

I'm sorry that you have struggled so long! For many, many years I felt the same as you -- feeling so different from the person I was before and feeling worse and worse but wondering if something was actually wrong with me and if I needed help. I think that you know yourself better than anyone, and it sounds like you do think something is wrong or unmanageable which is why you felt like reaching out here. I am not a professional so can't say for certain whether you do or do not have diagnosable major depressive disorder, but even people without diagnosable depression disorders can and do FEEL depressed naturally from time to time and they are still worthy of support and professional help.

After struggling on my own for a long time, I was diagnosed with depression by a medical doctor, given medications, and have been engaging with therapy. It has helped, but I know you've said that the resources in your country are tough to come by and not the most financially feasible so I understand it's tough to run out immediately and get treatment. Therapy is a very important and good option, but I understand that it is not always possible to everyone due to barriers and I have been fortunate that it is more accesible in my country.

However, if you feel comfortable sharing your general area, I'd be happy to see if I can find any affordable resources for you and if not, I can provide some online resources for you to try out.

In the meantime, feel free to join the depression support community and connect with a verified listener who specializes in depression

Your struggles are valid, and I hope you can find the support that you need.

I have never been diagnosed for depression, but Ive been suspecting its my plague. I dont know where, when or how it started, but I can somewhat pinpoint the time I began suspecting it.

Around 5, 6 years ago, I fell asleep with a textbook in hand, trying to swallow in words for a test. There was this lethargy which wouldnt go away, and I constantly felt irritable about virtually everything(I was constantly lashed out at by parents and older relatives for being rude and disrespectful, that was how they interpreted me acting as anything but the meek kid I used to be known). It was the verge of a high school entrance exam, which later I dubbed the Somme of 2015 (failing the exam is essentially academic KIA to us, and that year the casualties were at historic high); in that momentous period, I found no motivation to fight, despite I wanted to fight and win, I just... couldnt. I was a failure, Ive failing life-deciding exams since, like, the beginning of primary, why should I even try my best if I already knew my odds were cursed? I chewed myself out for not having the motivation to perform better, for holding back, to this very day. On the other hand, every occasion when Ive been a disappointment, when I was punished, when I did something wrong, once in a while and out of the blue they would just pop into my mind as if reminding me Im just a piece of waste.

Perchance Im going insane, because recently I would just cry for no reason.

Its like when youre growing up and you here storys of a girl with depression along with other rumors that shes just doing it for popularity. I know that depression is an emotion but Ive never truly thought about it before. Then well you think thats crazy Id never be depressed Im happy, but then think am I? Am I happy or am I pretending I was happy so I match everyone else?... how do I know...I think to myself well Im too young for depression... but what is too young?...hmmm idk and you get so wrapped around not being depressed and then you realize the depression snuck in and now its choking me it had been the entire time.

@Selcouth96

I felt sad and numb for a couple of years but it progressed to feeling suicidal almost every second of every day. And that's when I knew i needed help. It's a bit scary sometimes but i'm finding myself to be ok.