When is it depression, when is it just being in a funk?

[seti920]

So, is there a hard and fast line between someone having a bad week, being down, etc....and actually having depression?

If so, how do you tell?

 

[shortylickens]

Not sure.
People thought I was in depression during my high-school years. Turned out it was just an on and off blue Funk.

Get a psychologist or psychiatrist to make an official analysis.

 

[Taggart]

how long has he been like this?

 

[shoRunner]

after 12months it becomes clinical depression IIRC

 

[Injury]

Depression is characterized by feelings of helplessness, inability to find a release to what is depressing you, and generally the cause of problems, instead of being the effect.


Is it causing eating disorders, violence, mood swings?

 

[whistleclient]

has it affected his diet (eating too much or too little)?

has it affected his sleep (sleeping too much or too little)?

does he have suicidal ideation?

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

http://www.mental-health-today.com/dep/dsm.htm

key points: two major criteria - anhedonia (lack of interest), and depressed mood. at least two weeks in duration. plus at least 3-4 other symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, waking up early, loss of appetite, feeling of worthlessness, thinking about dying, etc.

another key point: if this person attempts suicide or talks about commiting suicide, this person needs help RIGHT AWAY. go to the EMERGENCY ROOM and make sure a psychiatrist sees this person.

other things to consider:
- dysthymia (feeling bad but still able to function). dysthymia must last for 2 years.
- bipolar disorder
- depression with seasonal component

 

[JS80]

i went to vegas this past weekend and won $1700 playing midstakes poker and saw countless hot chicks at the bars/clubs
needless to say past couple days at work i have been very cranky and depressed.

 

[Triumph]

Read up on depression on some official websites, not AT where you will get a bunch of "just tell him to snap out of it" responses. I didn't start getting out of mine until someone who knew what they were talking about pointed out to me all of the classic symptoms that I was having, but couldn't see for myself. But I wouldn't say that a week is long enough to be really clinically depressed. If you want a time frame, I'd guess at least a month?

 

[BigJ]

If it's lasted for the past 5 years...then yea I'd say it's depression.

 

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: shoRunner
after 12months it becomes clinical depression IIRC

Yeah, for those who can afford a clinical psychologist.

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

guys, the official clinical time period of depression is at least 2 weeks. for something that lasts 5 years it's unlikely to be depression because with depression people are basically unable to function. more likely is dysthymia. all of these points were mentioned in my prior post. in any case if i were your friend i would go see a psychiatrist as soon as possible. this is something that is definitely treatable; there is no sense being without proper treatment. fyi i'm a medical student and i just completed a psychiatry rotation.

best of luck.

 

[MX2]

If he hears disco in his head all the time, its the funk

Seriously though. I hope things get better for him.