How do you tell the difference between depression, and just feeling a bit low?

Initially, reading your surmise of what has been happening I would say that you appear to be relapsing into depression. You mention that your mood is low, you have become anti-social, your sleep pattern has changed and your ability to function on your "normal" level is also compromised. You also appear to be experiencing some anxiety with paranoid ideation. I suggest that you make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional. I also suggest that you write down the symptoms and feelings that you are going through so that you can evaluate when things are changing. This is a useful tool I use with patients so they can monitor when they are recovering and indeed when they are relapsing. Clinical depression is a very complex illness and affects people in very different ways. It appears to me that your depression has an element of anxiety and I suggest that you start on a specific anti-depressant called Citalopram 20mg Once daily, I would also recommend that you see a therapist as talking therapy as well as medication works better than using simply one. You need to look at the causes of depression rather than merely treating the symptoms. You have insight into your condition and realise when you need to seek help, unfortunately many people don't and this is when problems exacerbate. Hope this helps and I suggest you speak to your doctor as soon as possible. The best of luck hey!

no my dear this is disillusionment,you have realised that all people are not nice and a lot would benefit the world with the cessation of their existence.You will become reclusive for a short while ,then realise there is much for you to do.good luck with your future.

you are getting depressed again similar thing is happening with me ive got an appointment on thurs with Dr I think i have just been denying the depression is still lingering with me.

Its one of those fine lines isnt it?! I normally tell them apart as with a low mood, I can watch tv, eat and although not feeling good or happy, able to carry on with my day. With depression, I cant even get out of bed, the world feels menicing and the mood feels perminant, like it will never go away and this is what pushed me to feel suicidal. When I feel low I just want to be alone without other people I feel obliged to smile for, when I am depressed, I am so scared of my own shadow, I take myself to A&E because I dont think I can take anymore. I do have to say though, that I have found low mood over a long period of time can pull me down gradually into a depression where I feel unable to cope, be careful and keep yourself aware of your own limitations, everyone is different. Please make sure you are able to ask for help if you feel you cannot cope.

Well, dear, you definitely are depressed. Without listing out the DSM criteria as such the mere fact that (1) it's lasted 6 months, (2) you isolating, (3) not motiated, (4) frequent oversleeping, (5) some kind fof general social anxiety i.e. people looking at you, etc. and (6) you've been off antidepressants indicating a diagnosed condition--certainly suggests that the depression has returned and you are not functioning well. Check in with your physician and get back on your meds and you will function better.

You're not depressed. You're returning to normal. Your brain has been getting stimulated for a long time and suddenly its not there any more, so your brain is basically going 'whoa, what the hell...?' Just take it one day at a time, and find something you really enjoy. If you're depressed, you will be feeling suicidal and finding no joy in anything, but you seem be enjoying college. I would like to suggest you may be bored.

It could be depression again. Did you stop the medication abruptly? See your doctor

Sounds pretty Cut & Dried... Sweetheart.... YOUR PROBABLY DEPRESSED...... try & schedule an appointment with a Doctor if @ all possible..... THEY generally say that symptoms like the ones your describing that last MORE THAN 2 WEEKS... is generally Depression & warrants strong concern & care on your part in order to help rectify the matter SOONER nstead of LATER.... For what it's worth BEEN THERE DONE THAT......

I can definitely relate. You may still be going through withdrawal. Before restarting an antidepressant, please seek out all other options. You may want to research "antidepressant withdrawal" or "discontinuation syndrome". I had your symptoms, saw a natural doctor (I didn't believe in them either) and started acupuncture and eating well and exercising. The difference has been astonishing. Best of luck to you.