Sometimes it may take a while for you to realize that you're depressed. Your decline in functioning could happen very gradually... or all at once. You may wake up one day and realize that you've been feeling depressed for a while. Or you might detect the feeling right away! As you experience depression more and learn more about it through psychoeducation you become better able to identify when you are going into a period of depression.
The first time someone experiences depression can be terrifying. You may be able to acknowledge that you feel different but you can't figure out why or how. You may notice yourself not being able to keep up with things like hygiene, chores around the house, or responsibilities at work. If you have very high standards for yourself it can be even more crushing to feel like you can't live up to those expectations.
Sometimes people in your life may notice that you're depressed even before you do. It's important to listen to other people and take their opinions into consideration. We can be blind to our symptoms. Especially if they happen gradually, or they are subtle enough that we don't notice a drastic change. A spouse, family member, or close friend might end up being more in-tune to your depression than you are. This can be hard to accept! We like to think that we know ourselves well and that we're able to handle our struggles. But sometimes that's not the case.
Of course I'm going to say that therapy is important, I'm a counselor-in-training after all. But if you have ever felt like depression crept up on you and you lost the ability to cope or process those emotions, therapy might be a good option for you. You can work with your counselor to explore things that you have never thought about before... or you might find yourself talking about things you have thought about before but see them in a new light. Therapy is the ultimate tool in self-discovery. So come try it out! Give it a fair shot and open yourself up to the idea of making a change for the better.
