Many people who aren’t ordinarily depressed are having low periods during this pandemic. If you’re one of them, you may be asking yourself if you’re depressed. Jane Rubin, Ph.D., talks about how to determine whether what you’re experiencing is depression or an expectable reaction to living in unsettled times.
How Has the Coronavirus Impacted People?
It affects people very differently. The situation is not easy for anyone, but some people are having a more difficult time than others.No one likes not being able to see their friends or their children or their grandchildren. No one likes not being able to go out to dinner or a movie. Working from home has been very difficult for people who have small children. People cut off from others are having the most difficult time. I know someone who doesn’t have internet. She’s really gone into a tailspin because she can’t see anyone in person or participate in any online gatherings. This crisis has sent her into a serious depression.
How Do You Know When It’s Depression?
That’s a really important question. Some of the classic symptoms of depression, like difficulty sleeping or loss of appetite, are things that many people are experiencing right now. That doesn’t mean they’re depressed. It just means they’re trying to cope with an incredibly difficult and stressful situation. Similarly, a lot of people are experiencing intense bouts of sadness. There’s a lot to be sad about right now—the loss of in-person gatherings, the continually rising death toll from the virus, canceled vacation plans. The list is endless. Feeling sad right now is natural. It’s not necessarily a symptom of depression.
When Do These Things Become Symptoms of Depression?
I think people start entering into depression territory when they begin to feel that everything is hopeless. Again, many people feel that from time to time. Why wouldn't we, given our situation? But when the feelings of hopelessness become chronic (when someone starts to feel that things can never get better), it can be a sign that they’re slipping into depression.Similarly, some people are finding it harder to motivate themselves to do things that interest them. There’s a feeling of being at loose ends because so many of the things they ordinarily do—going to sporting events, going to concerts, traveling—aren’t possible right now. It’s natural to feel down when we can’t do the things we most want to do.However, when difficulty motivating yourself slides into losing interest in all activities—when you can no longer take pleasure in anything—that’s a pretty reliable sign that you may be sliding into a depression too.And, finally, the same thing goes for feeling unusually tired or having difficulty concentrating. Many people tell me that reading is difficult because they can’t concentrate. They sleep more or less than usual. In and of themselves, these aren’t signs of depression. But if they’re accompanied by pervasive feelings of hopelessness and the inability to enjoy anything about your life, you may be experiencing depression.
What Should People Do When They Ask “Am I Depressed?”
If you wonder if you’re depressed, the first thing to do is schedule a session with a therapist. They can help you figure out what you’re experiencing. One of the few fortunate things about the time we’re living in is that it hasn’t made therapy any less available. Every therapist I know has moved their practice online. If you don’t have the internet, you can still have phone sessions. And, of course, if you are depressed, ongoing therapy can be extremely helpful in this uncertain, stressful time.But, even if you’re not depressed (or your feelings of sadness, difficulty taking pleasure in things, and inability to focus don’t rise to the level of depression), it can be enormously helpful to talk about your feelings with a therapist. Therapists aren’t just here to help people deal with diagnosable conditions like depression. We’re here to help you cope with any difficult feelings you may be having. During COVID-19, people are having a lot of them. You may feel stressed about not being able to be productive while you’re trying to work at home with young children. You may experience tensions in your relationship. Worries about whether you’re going to lose your job may be mounting. Perhaps friends or relatives are ill and you can’t care for them in person. Whatever you’re struggling with, don’t think that it’s not worth talking about with a therapist. Especially in these times, it can be easy to dismiss your feelings. When we see the amount of suffering in hospitals, in nursing homes, and among underserved communities, it can be easy to conclude that our problems aren’t big enough to warrant asking for help. This is not true. If you’re struggling, the best thing you can do is reach out. You don’t need to struggle more than you already are. A therapist who is ready and able to help you is one keystroke away. Are you asking, “Am I depressed?” Please click to learn more about depression therapy and treatment with Jane Rubin, Ph.D.Jane Rubin, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in Berkeley, California. She works with individuals in Berkeley, Oakland, the East Bay, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area who are struggling with depression and anxiety. She also specializes in working with people who are trying to find meaning and direction in their lives.