When you've been feeling down for a while, how can you tell if its depression or just the blues?

Depression is a constant feeling that is always in the background, never goes away. It doesn’t only come around when something bad has happened. Even when you’re happy, if you’re depressed you still have that emptiness, that sadness in the back of your mind.

The symptoms of depression are persistent and can easily be found on the Internet. If in any doubt see your health provider for an assessment.

We can all get the blues sometimes. It is normal. If your sadness is affecting your work, daily life, and/or relationships in your life, possibly reflect upon whether it could be more than sadness, possibly depression. We are not doctors here and cannot diagnose, however, reflecting upon this may help you to tell the difference. I hope this is helpful and best wishes to you in your recovery.

Typically depression lasts a longer duration. It really depends though from person to person since we all react to life differently.

I usually judge this by trying to notice if the feelings are interfering with my daily activities. If I am sleeping too much and not getting things done around the house, that is a good sign for me personally. I also try to notice my level of irritability with things I enjoy... like if my dogs are bugging me when they want to cuddle, I know it may be my depression.

I know I'm just feeling the blues when I just generally feeling down but life still continues as usual. I still go to work and still do my college homework, but I'm just not necessarily feeling chipper and happy while doing so. I know it's depression when I can't get out of bed to do the things I typically do in a day. If I can't go to work or can't do homework or can't go to a concert or sporting event that I've been planing for months, then I know it's definitely depression.

If its over a long period of time and you seem to be having some thoughts you realise are harmful to yourself it may be a good idea to seek professional help.

write 3 rason why you like your life.. if you dont have when it is depression and you should she a doctor

There is differences between depression and just feeling down, perhaps talking to someone or talking to someone professionally.

there's a difference between depression and feeling down, depression is something that is constant until you help it, felling down can be because of some events that happened but it'll pass if you felt that this feeling stayed with you for a long time talk to someone, i recommend talking to a doctor