Am I depressed? A Quick Check-In: Am I Just Having a Bad Week, or Is It Depression?
- Sue Morrison
- Jan 19
- 4 min read
Depression can feel heavy.
Like you’re walking through mud while everyone else is jogging past you. Like the world’s turned down to grayscale and you’re just going through the motions. And then you catch yourself thinking, “Okay… am I just being dramatic? Is this just a bad week?”
If that’s you, you’re not alone. A lot of people in the York and Durham region (and, honestly, everywhere) quietly wonder the same thing.
And here’s the thing: you don’t need to have it all figured out right now.
But what if there was a simple way to check in with yourself? Not a diagnosis (we’ll leave that to the professionals), but a gentle self-reflection to help you understand what you’re experiencing a little better?
That’s exactly what this post is for.
The Difference Between a Bad Week and Depression
Here's the thing: feeling sad, tired, or unmotivated doesn't automatically mean you're depressed. Sadness is a normal human emotion. It's healthy, actually. When something hard happens, a breakup, a stressful deadline, a fight with a friend, it makes sense that you'd feel low for a bit.
But depression? That's different.
Depression tends to stick around. It lingers. It colours everything, your energy, your relationships, your ability to enjoy things you used to love. And it usually lasts for at least two weeks, showing up most of the day, nearly every day.
Key difference: A bad week passes. Depression persists and starts to interfere with your daily life, work, relationships, basic self-care.
So how do you tell which one you're dealing with? Let's do a little check-in.
A Friendly Self-Check-In (Based on the PHQ-9)
Mental health professionals often use something called the PHQ-9 to screen for depression. It's a simple set of nine questions that help identify symptoms.
Now, before we dive in, this is not a diagnosis. Think of it more like a temperature check. A way to notice patterns and decide if it might be time to talk to someone.
Why We So Often Tell Ourselves “It’s Just a Bad Week”
Ever notice how quickly you try to explain away what you’re feeling?
You tell yourself you’re fine. You’re just tired. You’re just stressed. You’ll bounce back after the weekend. And sometimes… sure. Life is a lot.
But here are a few super common reasons depression gets brushed off as “nothing”:
You’re high-functioning. You’re still going to work, answering texts, making dinners… so it can’t be that bad, right?
You don’t want to be a burden. You figure other people have it worse, so you keep it to yourself.
You’ve gotten used to it. When you’ve felt “off” for a while, it can start to feel normal (even when it’s not).
You think you should be able to snap out of it. Like it’s a motivation problem, not an actual mental health thing.
But depression doesn’t always look like lying in bed all day crying. Sometimes it looks like you doing your best… while feeling numb, exhausted, and disconnected inside.
So, if you’ve been minimizing what you’re going through, consider this your permission slip to take it seriously.
Take This Test
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
Little interest or pleasure in doing things.
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.
Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
Feeling tired or having little energy.
Poor appetite or overeating.
Feeling bad about yourself - or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down.
Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television.
Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual.
Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way.
If you're in crisis right now, please contact Talk Suicide Canada by calling or texting 988.
So... What Do Your Answers Mean?
If you're noticing that several of these things have been showing up nearly every day for two weeks or more, it might be time to talk to a professional.
And here's the good news: depression is highly treatable. Therapy, support, and sometimes medication can make a real difference. But the first step is recognizing what's going on and reaching out.
Again, this self-check isn't a diagnosis. It's just a starting point. A way to say, "Hey, maybe I should look into this a bit more."
Why It's Worth Reaching Out
Look, we get it. The idea of starting therapy can feel intimidating. Maybe you're thinking, "What if I'm overreacting?" or "What if my problems aren't serious enough?"
Here's the truth: you don't need to be in crisis to deserve support. Therapy isn't just for rock bottom. It's for anyone who wants to feel better, understand themselves more, or work through something that's been weighing on them.
And if you're in the York and Durham region, you've got options. Our team at White Brick Therapy specializes in anxiety and depression, and we're here to help you figure out what's going on, without judgment.
You're Not Alone in This
Whether you're dealing with a rough patch or something more persistent, please know this: what you're feeling is valid. You’re not being dramatic. You’re not making it up. And you’re definitely not alone.
Millions of people experience depression, and many of them have found their way to the other side with the right support. You can too.
And if the questions above brought up a lump-in-your-throat kind of “uh oh”… take a breath. You don’t have to carry this by yourself.
If you’re in the York and Durham region and you want support sorting through what’s going on, you can book an intake appointment here. We’ll meet you where you’re at, go at your pace, and help you make sense of what you’re feeling—without judgment.
Whatever you decide, we’re rooting for you. 💙
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