Why Depression Can Make It Hard to Know You're Depressed

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It's often not easy to tell that you're depressed, especially in the beginning of the condition. The syndrome doesn't tend to show up all at once as the full suite of obvious symptoms; instead, symptoms generally appear in fits and starts and may progress insidiously. While it might be clear in hindsight that you were in a major depression, in real time it might not be so obvious.

What's more, multiple aspects of depression itself can make it harder to see it for what it is. Many people wind up suffering for longer without realizing what they're going through or getting the help they need because of the following four factors.

1. Self-Loathing

Depression often leads to an extremely negative view of oneself, and even to self-hatred. These feelings and beliefs can interfere with recognizing them as a symptom of depression because they seem so true. In the grip of depression, the person believes the problem is not that they think they're worthless, but that they are worthless.

Other symptoms of depression may be chalked up to one's "shortcomings" for similar reasons; for example, excessive sleep may be seen as "laziness," increased appetite and consumption of sweets as "poor self-control," and low motivation as a "lack of discipline."

2. Dark Outlook

A negative view of the world often accompanies depression, and can feel as true and right as a negative view of oneself. The pessimism and hopelessness that attend low mood may seem accurate to a person who's depressed.

Accordingly, they may blame their low mood not on depression but on a correct discernment of the miserable state of the world. This perspective prevents them from realizing that they're seeing the world through depression-tinted glasses.

3. Internalized Stigma

There is still considerable stigma against mental health diagnoses, including depression. Those who experience depression might be seen as "weak" in some way, or not good at tending to their mental health. Others might deny the reality of depression, seeing it instead as an excuse for personal failings. These negative perceptions can lead many people with mental health challenges to feel bad about themselves because of their struggles.

When depression symptoms appear, a person might be motivated (consciously or unconsciously) to seek an explanation that avoids the stigma of mental illness. For example, they might attribute their low energy and motivation to poor sleep. (Sleep problems are also a common depression symptom.)

4. Clouded Thinking

Being depressed often leads to difficulty thinking clearly and making decisions. For this reason, it can be hard to connect the dots to see that the symptoms taken together spell depression.

If you've been feeling down a lot lately and/or feel much less interested in things than you normally do, consider seeing your doctor or a mental health professional to discuss the possibility that you're experiencing depression. To find one near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory. You can also do a free online screening to get a quick read on your symptoms; print the results to bring with you to your appointment.

As much as possible, open to whatever the assessment might reveal. Depression is not a personal failure, and it's extremely common. The sooner you identify what's going on, the faster you can find relief.