Maybe it started slowly. A few bad days here and there. Less motivation. A bit more sleep. A bit less joy.
Or maybe it hit you all at once. One morning you woke up and felt… nothing. Like your spark had gone out.
You’ve been wondering quietly to yourself: “Is this just a phase?” or “Am I being dramatic?” But something inside keeps nudging you to find out.
If you’re asking, “How do I know if I’m depressed?”—you’re already showing incredible self-awareness. And that’s the first step towards healing.
Let’s talk through it gently, together.
What Depression Actually Feels Like
Depression doesn’t always look how you expect. It’s not just endless crying or lying in bed. It wears many faces—and some are surprisingly quiet. You might feel ….
Flat, numb or empty
Exhausted no matter how much sleep you get
Irritable or short-tempered over little things
Hopeless or full of guilt
Like everything takes too much effort
But here’s the part people often miss:
Sometimes depression doesn’t feel like sadness. It feels like nothing at all. Like you’ve gone missing inside your own life.
It’s More Than Just “Feeling Low”
Everyone feels low sometimes. Bad days happen. Life throws curveballs. But if the heaviness lingers—if it sticks around for more than two weeks and starts affecting your everyday life—it could be something more.
Depression isn’t weakness. It’s not self-pity or attention-seeking. It’s an illness. And just like any illness, it deserves care.
The Most Common Signs of Depression
Emotional symptoms:
Feeling sad or empty most of the time
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a burden
Struggling to concentrate or make decisions
Feeling anxious, restless or stuck in your head
Physical symptoms:
Changes in appetite—eating much more or much less
Sleeping too much or struggling to sleep at all
Low energy and constant tiredness
Aches and pains with no clear cause
Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
Behavioural signs:
Withdrawing from friends or family
Avoiding social situations or cancelling plans
Neglecting responsibilities or personal care
Turning to alcohol, food, or screens to escape
Finding it hard to get out of bed or start the day
“But I’m Still Functioning, So I Can’t Be Depressed... Can I?”
Yes, you absolutely can.
Many people live with high-functioning depression—also called Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD). You might hold down a job, smile in conversations, or post happy selfies—but inside, you feel completely disconnected.
Just because you’re managing doesn’t mean you’re not struggling. Just because you’re coping doesn’t mean you’re okay.
If it feels heavy, that’s valid.
What Depression Isn’t
It’s not laziness.
It’s not just being moody.
It’s not something you can “snap out of” with a good attitude.
You wouldn’t tell someone with a broken leg to walk it off. So don’t tell yourself that your mind should be any different. Depression affects your brain chemistry, your nervous system, and even your immune response. It’s real, and it’s not your fault.
Why Talking About It Helps
When you speak your feelings out loud, they lose their grip. What felt huge in your head starts to feel more manageable when shared. You don’t have to explain everything perfectly. Just saying, “I haven’t felt like myself lately,” can be enough to open the door.
Try talking to a friend, a loved one, a therapist, or your GP. You deserve to be heard. Even if your voice shakes.
When to Get Professional Help
If you’re asking yourself whether you might be depressed, it’s worth checking in with a professional. Especially if:
Your symptoms have lasted more than two weeks
You’re finding daily tasks harder to manage
You’re withdrawing from people or things you love
You’re struggling to see a future or feel hope
You’ve had thoughts of harming yourself
You don’t need to be in crisis to seek support. But if you are in crisis—please, don’t try to carry this alone.
If things feel too dark
Call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7)
Text SHOUT to 85258
Speak to your GP or visit A&E if you feel unsafe
Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s choosing to fight for your life.
Depression Doesn’t Always Come With a Reason
Some people develop depression after trauma, loss, or burnout. Others have no clear trigger at all. And that can be confusing—you might even feel guilty for feeling this way when “nothing bad” has happened.
But depression doesn’t need a reason. It doesn’t care about logic. And your pain is valid, whether it makes sense to you or not.
How Depression Affects Your Body Too
This might surprise you, but depression isn’t just emotional. It’s physical, too. You might feel:
Heavier in your limbs
Slower in your movements
Sore in your joints
Sick in your stomach
Constantly tense
Your mind and body are deeply connected. When one suffers, the other feels it too. That’s why rest, nutrition, and gentle movement are part of the healing process—not extras, but essentials.
Start With the Basics
When everything feels too much, simplify.
- Eat something
- Drink water
- Get fresh air on your face
- Text someone you trust.
- Take one task —just one—and focus only on that.
Healing isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing something. Bit by bit, you rebuild.
Natural Support Can Help Too
While professional support is important, there are also gentle, natural tools that might support your mood alongside other treatments.
🌿 5-HTP
A natural supplement that helps increase serotonin—the chemical linked to mood. Some find it helpful for easing low mood or anxiety. Do not take it with antidepressants unless advised by a medical professional.
🌿 Vitamin D
Especially in the UK, where sunshine is often in short supply, low vitamin D is common—and can impact your mood significantly.
🌿 Magnesium & B Vitamins
Both are vital for nervous system function and emotional regulation. Magnesium glycinate is known for calming the body and helping with sleep.
Always speak to your GP before trying supplements—especially if you’re on medication. What works for one person might not suit another.
Recovery Is Not Linear
Some days will feel lighter. Others might feel like square one. That’s okay. Recovery from depression isn’t a straight line. It’s more like a messy scribble—but one that still moves forward.
Be patient with yourself. You’re doing something hard. And you’re still here.
That matters more than you know.
You're Not Alone
Depression can make you feel completely isolated. Like no one sees you. Like no one could possibly understand.
But around 1 in 6 adults in the UK experiences depression at any given time (NHS, 2024). That’s millions of people—just like you—walking through the world quietly carrying something heavy.
You are not alone. And you never have to be.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re starting to recognise yourself in this article, take a breath. You don’t need to diagnose yourself. But you can take action. Try these ….
Book an appointment with your GP
Tell someone you trust how you’re really feeling
Write things down to help you make sense of it
Look into talking therapies via the NHS or privately
Take it slow. One hour at a time
You don’t have to “fix” yourself overnight. You just have to keep moving gently in the direction of support.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve To Feel Okay Again
If you’ve been feeling low, stuck, or numb—it’s not all in your head. It’s real. It’s valid. And you are allowed to get help.
You don’t need to wait until things get unbearable. You don’t need to “prove” you’re unwell enough. The fact that you’re struggling is enough.
Depression might make you feel broken. But the truth is, you are not broken—you are hurting. And hurting people deserve care.
Take the first small step. Because a lighter day is possible—even if you can’t see it yet.
You’ve made it this far. And that is brave.
One Response