I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling this way. What you're experiencing sounds really tough. Although crying frequently, especially when alone, can be a symptom of depression, it's important to understand that depression involves a range of symptoms and not just one.
Depression is typically characterized by a persistently low mood or a loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed, combined with other physical and emotional symptoms that have lasted for two weeks or more. Some of these symptoms might include:
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Tiredness and a lack of energy
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, and they're impacting your ability to function in your daily life, it might be time to seek professional help. Reach out to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. They can provide a proper diagnosis and suggest suitable treatments, which might include therapy, lifestyle changes, or medication.
Also, if you ever feel that you may hurt yourself or others, please reach out to a crisis hotline in your country immediately. You don't have to go through this alone, and there are professionals who can provide help.
Finally, remember that there's no shame in experiencing mental health issues or seeking help for them. It's just as important to take care of our mental health as it is to take care of our physical health.