Is Life Always This Hard? Or, is This Depression?

Feeling sad or overwhelmed sometimes is part of being human. Life throws challenges at you, and it’s normal to feel down, frustrated or overwhelmed when things get tough. But how do you know when those feelings cross the line into something more serious like depression? Understanding the difference between everyday life challenges and the resulting sadness or disappointment, versus depression, can help you take the right steps toward feeling better and enjoying life again.

Finding Beauty in Every Day Moments is Challenging When You are Struggling

Recognizing Normal Sadness Versus Depression

Everyone experiences sadness or stress at times. Maybe you had a rough day at work, a fight with a friend, or financial worries. Maybe you felt rejected, lonely, or discouraged. These feelings usually come and go and are tied to specific events. You might feel upset, but you can still find moments of joy or relief.

Depression feels different. It often:

• Lasts for weeks or months, not just a few days but for more days than not

• Affects most areas of your life, not just one situation.

• Makes things that used to bring you happiness feel empty or uninteresting

• Causes feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or deep fatigue

• For some people, lead you to feel resentment, disconnection or even a sense that you are burden on those you love.

  
  

If you notice that most things start to feel unfulfilling, overwhelming, or unenjoyable, it might be depression rather than just life stressors.

How Life Stressors Can Lead to Depression

Stressful events like losing a job, ending a relationship, or ongoing financial pressure can trigger depression. Sometimes, the stress piles up until it feels impossible to manage. You might start feeling stuck in a cycle where stress causes sadness, and sadness makes stress harder to handle. Enough stressful events or sad experiences, and your brain may start to feed into the belief that you will never feel better.

It’s important to remember that feeling overwhelmed by stress doesn’t mean you’re weak or failing. It means your mind and body need support.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Depression

Here are some common signs that suggest you might be dealing with depression:

• Persistent sadness or empty mood most of the day. Feeling like you will never feel any different or better than you do now.

• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed. Even loss of interest in spending time with people you love.

• Changes in appetite or weight (either loss or gain)

• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

• Feeling tired or lacking energy even after rest (unmotivated or dragging through your day).

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, as if, it's pointless or not worth the effort.

• Feeling worthless or guilty without a clear reason. You might even have started to believe you DO have a reason to feel guilty, even if others say that isn't true.

• Thoughts of death or suicide. Feeling like people don't want you around, you're too much trouble or bringing others down. Thinking you're a burden and they'd be better off without you. This is a BIG and concerning lie depression tells you and it's worth calling 988 if you get to this point!

  
  

In fact, if you recognize several of these signs in yourself, it’s a good idea to reach out for help.

What You Can Do to Feel Better

The good news is that depression is treatable. Many people find relief through a combination of approaches:

• First, talking to a medical doctor to rule in our out medical causes. A doctor willing to check things like your hormones, vitamin levels, thyroid, and more can identify medical contributors to your emotional state. In fact, there are many medical reasons such as vitamin deficiencies and hormone changes that can trigger depression.

• Talking to a mental health professional can help you understand why you feel this way and develop strategies to cope. Research shows that talking your feelings out with someone does help! Even more helpful, is talking to a professional who won't minimize or invalidate your feelings. You don't need anyone gaslighting your or telling you to suck it up. That is proven NOT to help.

• Therapy offers a safe space to explore your feelings and learn new ways to manage stress and negative thoughts. Our therapists at Family Solutions Counseling are highly skilled in helping you explore the root of the depression. They can help you find a way to create the life you want and deserve.

• Antidepressant medications may be recommended by a doctor to help create prime cognitive conditions for rewiring your brain through the efforts of therapy. There are many options these days and there are even blood tests you can take to find out what kinds of medications work with your particular biology.

• Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep habits support your mental health. Getting outside and being in the sun, and finding joyful, peaceful hobbies to give you moments to look forward can make a big difference. Figuring out how to structure your day so you get more of what you need gives your brain and body the nutrients to heal.

• Building a support network of friends, family, or support groups can provide encouragement and reduce feelings of isolation.

  
  

How to Start the Conversation

Taking the first step can feel scary, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can:

• Call us today. Our team is well-trained in helping you figure out which mental health provider could be the best fit for you.

• Reach out to a helpline or mental health organization

• Talk honestly with a close friend or family member about how you’re feeling

  
  

Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Finding Your Joy Again

Recovery from depression is a journey. It might take time to feel like yourself again, but many people do. You can rediscover what makes life meaningful and enjoyable. Small steps count:

• Try to do one thing each day that brings you a little happiness

• Celebrate small victories, like getting out of bed or going for a walk

• Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that healing is possible

  
  

If you’re unsure where to start or feel overwhelmed, give us a call. We will help you figure out how you got here and how to get back to enjoying your life again.

Your feelings are valid, and support is available. You don’t have to face this alone.