How Do I Know If I'm Actually Depressed? From Melbourne Therapists

Understanding Different Types of Depression and When to Seek Support

We throw around the word “depressed” a lot these days. “Ugh, I’m so depressed it’s Monday again.” “That show ending left me depressed.” It’s become shorthand for everything from disappointment to burnout to grief.

But if you’ve been wondering—am I actually depressed?—you’re not overreacting or being dramatic. You're doing something really important: pausing to check in on your emotional wellbeing.

Sadness vs. Depression vs. Grief: What’s the Difference?

Sadness is part of the human experience. It’s a normal, healthy response to painful or stressful situations. You fail an exam. You have a fight with a loved one. You feel deflated for a bit. But usually, you bounce back after a few days.

Grief, too, is a normal response to loss—whether that’s the death of a loved one, a breakup, or even losing a version of the life you imagined for yourself. Grief can be intense and long-lasting, but it tends to come in waves, with moments of relief or meaning in between.

Depression, on the other hand, often feels like a flatline. It lingers. It dulls your ability to feel joy. And it starts impacting the way you eat, sleep, think, and relate to others.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Depression

If you’re unsure whether what you’re feeling is clinical depression, here are some signs our Melbourne Therapists at The Inner Collective often look for:

• You feel numb or low most of the day, nearly every day.

• You’re not interested in things that used to bring you joy.

• You’re sleeping too much or struggling with insomnia.

• Your appetite has changed (eating way more or way less).

• You’re moving slower—or feel physically agitated and restless.

• You feel worthless, hopeless, or guilty for no clear reason.

• It’s hard to concentrate or make decisions.

• You’ve had thoughts about not wanting to be here or about death.

If this sounds familiar and has lasted at least two weeks, it might be time to seek support.

Types of Depression: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All

Not everyone’s depression looks or feels the same. Here's a quick breakdown of different depression types we see at The Inner Collective:

Major Depressive Episode

The most commonly recognised form. It’s marked by a period of intense low mood and loss of interest or pleasure, alongside several of the symptoms listed above.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

More chronic and subtle. You might not feel rock-bottom low, but you’ve felt “meh” or down for years, with little reprieve.

Situational Depression

Triggered by a specific life stressor—like a breakup, job loss, or move. It can look and feel a lot like major depression but is more directly tied to an identifiable cause.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Common in Melbourne’s grey winter months. Less sunlight and more time indoors can bring on low energy, cravings, and mood dips.

Perinatal and Postnatal Depression

Often missed or mislabelled as “baby blues,” this form of depression can impact people during or after pregnancy, regardless of gender.

Atypical Depression

The name is misleading—this type is actually very common. You might still react to good news and crave connection, but feel physically heavy, tired, and emotionally rejected.

Knowing what type of depression you’re experiencing can shape the kind of support that’s most helpful.

Why It’s So Hard to Tell

Depression doesn’t always show up as deep sadness. Sometimes it’s irritability. Other times, it’s feeling nothing at all. And if you’re someone who’s high-functioning—still going to work, smiling at brunch, showing up for others—it can be even harder to identify when things aren’t okay.

Our culture also tends to minimise mental health. If you’re not crying on the floor or staying in bed all day, you might think, “It’s not that bad.” But that kind of thinking can delay getting help.

How Our Melbourne Therapists at The Inner Collective Can Help

Our Melbourne Psychologists understand how nuanced and personal depression is. We take the time to listen—to what’s said and unsaid.

At The Inner Collective, we offer:

• Warm, evidence-based support grounded in your lived experience.

• Culturally responsive, neuroaffirming and trauma-informed care.

• Therapies tailored to the type of depression you’re experiencing, whether that’s CBT, ACT, EMDR, or psychodynamic work.

• Help in unpacking grief, burnout, or identity loss that may be tangled up with your mood.

You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out.

Take the Next Step

If something’s been off and you’ve been wondering whether it’s more than “just a phase,” it might be time to speak to someone. You deserve clarity. You deserve care.

Book with one of our Melbourne Clinical Psychologists or Psychologists Melbourne CBD today. Let’s explore this together—without judgement, and at your pace.

👉

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