How often do you hear a friend, classmate or loved one declare “I’m so depressed”? Once a week, maybe even once a day?

The truth is we all have difficult days – bad stuff happens and we can be left feeling hopeless and defeated. But is this a sad day or is it depression?

The word depressed has crept into our everyday language – meaning it can potentially take the real meaning away from the word, or make it harder for you to understand what it is you are going through.

You may have been late to school and suffered a detention, broken up with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed in life. All of these experiences will elicit emotions, but it does not necessarily mean you are “so depressed”.

Another thing to consider is the difference between being anxious and having anxiety.

A part of this is to understand the behaviour changes that occur for a period of time that are not usually in your social make up. It’s important to understand the difference between having a ‘mental health problem’, which is dealing with these emotional challenges for short periods of time, whereas having a ‘mental illness’ like depression is there for longer period of times, usually weeks on end rather than days.

But am I depressed?

There are a few signs to look for when darker days appear.

Depression and anxiety support service Beyond Blue say you may be depressed if for more than two weeks you’ve been feeling sad, low or miserable most of the time, or you have lost interest or pleasure in usual activities

Before you jump to conclusions and start self-diagnosing yourself, it’s important to remember that these feelings are 100% natural and happen to us all from time to time.

Just because you loved basketball last month and now couldn’t care less for the sport – doesn’t necessarily mean you are depressed.

How do I know for sure?

As we start to feel lower, our behaviours, feelings, thoughts and physical functions begin to change.

• You may stop going out with friends
• You may have trouble concentrating on school work
• You may not enjoy activities you once did
• You may feel overwhelmed, irritable, unhappy or lose confidence in yourself
• You may start thinking of yourself as a failure, or that the world would be better off without you
• You may start to experience physical difficulties like feeling tired all the time, a change in appetite, muscle pains or you may be sleeping too little or too much

These symptoms can indicate that you are experiencing something more than a sad day, but they don’t necessarily mean you’re depressed.

Think about the last time you sat an exam. Did you feel overwhelmed and irritable in the lead up to the exam? Did you have difficulty sleeping the night before? Or start to think of yourself as a failure? If we categorise every person who experiences these symptoms as depressed, the truth is, the whole world would fit the checklist.

Do I really need to see a doctor?

If you think your feelings are more than a sad day and that you may be experiencing depression, it’s important that you see a health professional to discuss treatment and develop healthy coping strategies.

Even if you’re unsure, health professionals are trained in diagnosing mental illness and assisting patients in working out appropriate treatment plans.

Another fantastic option is talking to your school counsellor for advice and support. Simply talking to someone removed from the situation can often help you gain a better understanding of how you are feeling.

The next time you’re feeling low or have a string of sad days, consider the signs and remember, health professionals are always available to talk and guide you.