Is this still depression?

[JustAPersonSeekingHelp]

Can depression be on and off?

I have this feeling of being worthless and useless for about a week every month but after I 'get over it' I'm usually so positive and happy. It also confuses me that with usual cases of depression people always say they want to harm themselves, I never want to do that because I value life too much even though it's sometimes a living hell. Could this still be classed as depression or is it just me being negative and low self-esteem?

[White_Rose]

Hello JustAPersonSeekingHelp

Welcome to beyond blue. Lovely to have you here.

Q Can depression be on and off?

A Sure can. Annoying isn't it. Yes we have good days and bad days though it's all under the banner of depression. Usually what makes people scratch their heads about it is when their depression goes away for some time, months and years, then comes back. It seems unfair and can really play havoc with our usual life.

I think what would help you is to read up a bit on depression. Beyondblue has a large collection of information on depression and anxiety plus other mental health issues. Go to the bottom of the page or the top and search under The Facts. You can download the Fact Sheets and send for the booklets free of charge. This will help you understand a bit more about this wretched illness.

Not everyone who has depressions wants to harm themselves in any way, or at least has no intention of following through with any stray though. It really depends on how severely unwell you are.

Negativity and low self esteem can certainly be part of your depression. I am very happy that you do not want to harm yourself whatever the reason. Do you take any medication for depression? If not, and if you have discussed this with your doctor, I would think you have a smaller case of depression. Yes some days can be like living in a war zone and you return to your 'normal' life.

When you are particularly happy do you become involved with activity that may be classed as dangerous or perhaps not the most sensible idea?

If you have concerns then please see your doctor. Meanwhile, if you would like to continue posting here you are most welcome. Have a look around the various forums and threads. Join in any threads you feel you have something to offer or want an answer.

Mary

[Just Sara]

Hey there and welcome to our forum community;

(Your username's a bit long. What can I call you hun?)

It's great you've posted with this query of yours, and very brave. It takes courage to talk about problems in public. So I hope I can help..

I'm not sure if you're female, but it sounds as though you may be having a hormonal reaction to your monthly period cycle. If you're a guy, please disregard ok. :-o!

My sister gets depressed a couple of days prior to her 'on' days, and I used to become extremely depressed during ovulation. It only lasted for 24 hrs, but it was hideous, so I truly feel for you.

My suggestion would be to mark each day of your cycle on a calendar and put a red mark for your bleeding days, and green if you know your ovulation days too, then a big cross on the one's that are difficult. After a few months hopefully there'll be a pattern; take it to your GP if you feel it could be hormonal.

If you're a guy, (I'm embarrassed if you are) doing the same thing could be helpful, as young men/boys often have hormonal shifts as well. Or it could be a response to something that's occurring each month but you haven't connected the dots.

I hope this has been helpful ok. Feeling down like that every month can wear you down. Let's hope things will change soon for the better..

Write here anytime you want ok. 🙂

Kind thoughts;

Sez

[geoff]

Hi and can I also welcome you to the site.

I think you should book an appointment with your doctor who will diagnose you, putting your mind to rest.

Being negative and having low self-esteem could well mean that you have depression, but can I ask you to google 'K-10 test', it's where you are asked questions and it then gives you a score between 1 to 10, the latter indicates high depression and certainly means it would be wise to see your doctor.

Are you able to do it a few times, but not one straight after the after, do it different times of the day and when you have these feelings of being happy and then worthless.

Take the results with you when you see the doctor.

Write down on a piece of paper how you are feeling, happy or sad, this will give the doctor along with the K-10 results an indication so they can then diagnose you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.