How can I find out if I have depression ?

Ask a Therapist Mental Health Conditions
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Where can I go to check if I’ve depression?

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Hi @Aloysiuscgh

Thanks for coming here to share your concerns with us. It sounds like you are worried about your mental wellbeing and maybe your daily life functioning has been affected as well. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and I am glad you did.

I am wondering what makes you feel that you might have depression and if you have talked to anyone about this. I will share some resources for you to consider if you would like to be assessed for a diagnosis. As for now, you may refer below for some signs and symptoms to look out for and check anything that you resonate with. It might be helpful for you to also think about when do you think such symptoms came, what is the frequency and intensity of these symptoms.

  1. Persistent Sadness: Feeling overwhelmingly sad for an extended period (at least 2 weeks)
  2. Loss of Interest: Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
  3. Fatigue: Experiencing a lack of energy and feeling tired most of the time.
  4. Sleep Disturbances: Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia or excessive sleep.
  5. Appetite Changes: Significant weight loss or gain due to changes in appetite.
  6. Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus or make decisions.
  7. Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: An overwhelming sense of self-blame or inadequacy.
  8. Physical Ailments: Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
  9. Social Withdrawal: Isolating from friends, family, and social activities.
  10. Thoughts of Self-Harm: Any mention or thoughts of self-harm or suicide must be taken seriously. Do seek immediate attention if you have such thoughts.

Here are some resources for you to consider:

  1. Polyclinic referral. You may make an appointment or walk in to a polyclinic to share your concerns. You will be given a referral to a community hospital for follow-up assessment. For referrals via polyclinic, there will be a subsidized rate when you go for follow-ups. Do remember to get a referral letter from them.
  2. IMH Hotline - 6389 2222
  3. CHAT - Provides free, personalised and confidential mental health checks* and/or referrals to professionals, if necessary, for youth aged 16-30.
    Call: 64936500/ 64936501 Email: chat@mentalhealth.sg
    Operating hours: Tue – Sat, 12pm – 9pm, Closed on Mon, Sun and Public Holidays
    *This is not a counselling session. It is a chat to understand your mental health concerns and recommend suitable professional help.
  4. SOS: For crises. Provides 24 hour CareText, a text-based service that provides emotional support for those in distress (WhatsApp 9151 1767). They also provide CareMail, an alternative avenue of emotional support for those who prefer to write in via email (pat@sos.org.sg) or call them at 1-767
  5. eC2 by Fei Yue Community Services: Provides Quick Chat, a one-to-one mental health screening via online chat for youths aged 12 - 25yo to talk about their mental health or emotional concerns. Operating hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri, 10am - 12pm, 2pm - 5pm (excluding PH).
  6. webCHAT​: Provides text-based, in-the-moment support for young people aged 16 - 30 years old residing in Singapore who would like to gain clarity of their situations.
  7. TOUCHline: 1800 377 2252 - For youth who wish to speak to trained counsellors on any topic, including cyber wellness. Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm

If possible, you may also consider the following self-care tips when you are feeling down or overwhelmed:

  1. Exercise. It is helpful to maintain regular exercise to boost your mood or give yourself a positive distraction. Even some stretching can be helpful or you can take a walk around your neighborhood.
  2. Engage in activities that you enjoy. This can potentially help in increasing self-confidence and step out of the negative spiral. It is helpful to have positive thoughts about yourself.
  3. Deep breathing exercises. Take deep breaths and slowly exhale. Repeat until you feel better. It can provide a sense of calmness and help you look at your situation differently.
  4. Seek support. Do remember that it is okay to reach out for support. It can be a family member, a trusted friend or professionals. Talking about your struggles makes you feel less alone in the journey and may help you gain new insights about your situation. Even if you are going through depression, know that it can improve with support and intervention.

Do let us know how else we can help. You matter and you are not alone in this.

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Can try this wayfinding tool to get services near you https://mindline.sg/youth/mental-health-service-providers/start

Hope this helps, let us know how it goes

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Hello @Aloysiuscgh sometimes when one is asking whether he/she have depression he/she actually does have. Be mindful towards your own feelings, how have you been lately? Please take care always :slight_smile: