Ask Jigsaw: Not sure if I am depressed

Friday, 29 January 2021

Hi there.

I am wondering what to do about my current mental health. I am not sure if I’m depressed or overthinking – I no longer enjoy hobbies I used to love, I want to spend all my time alone and find it so hard to get out of bed, because I can’t look forward to anything. I feel guilty for being less involved and kind to my family, and also guilty that if I am not actually depressed I am undermining those who are actually struggling, wasting time of others and opening up to family only to find out I don’t need help.

I cannot remember the last time I was happy. I can’t concentrate at school and keep zoning out, even though I usually do well. I keep feeling like a burden and feel down even when my closest friends text me because I have to put effort into replying. I keep people pleasing but avoiding social interaction when I can.

I can’t really remember when all this started but I don’t know if this is normal for young people, if I should wait to see if it continues, tell my family or go see a doctor. I was hoping this could help me figure out what to do next.

Thanks

-giantflowercat

Hi giantflowercat,

Thanks for getting in touch. I’m sorry to hear you are going through a tough time. You sound like a considerate person for not wanting to waste people’s time or undermine people who are struggling, but that’s not the case at all. Life can be hard and you deserve to get support just as much as anyone else. We do hear from a lot of young people who describe feeling this way, so know that you’re not alone.

Hazel

Jigsaw Clinician

While it sounds like you have described experiencing some of these symptoms, a doctor will usually take into a number of different factors such as how long these symptoms have been present and the impact they are having on your life before making a diagnosis of depression.

What is depression?

The term ‘depression’ can be used in many different ways by different people. Depression is often used in a formal sense by doctors to describe certain symptoms such as:

• Feeling sad
• Having low energy
• Struggling with sleep
• Difficulties with appetite
• Poor concentration
• A loss of interest in things that we would usually enjoy.

Hazel

Jigsaw Clinician

We support young people who are experiencing a range of difficulties, including feeling down, to make sense of their experience and learn how to manage without labelling what they are going through.

Getting support for your metal health

It’s understandable that you want to find out more about what you are experiencing. However, you don’t need a diagnosis of depression before you can get some support. At Jigsaw, for example, we don’t focus on diagnoses. We support young people who are experiencing a range of difficulties, including feeling down, to make sense of their experience and learn how to manage without labelling what they are going through. Here is some more information about accessing Jigsaw. If you are under 18 you will need parental consent. Starting that conversation isn’t always easy to do, but speaking to a trusted adult can be a really good place to start.

Our Live Chat service can be a good way to explore this further and figure out next steps.  Our trained staff host 1:1 webchats, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1-5pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 2-8pm.

Take care,

Hazel