Are Chat Rooms For Depression The Right Support For Me?

Sometimes, life can be tough. You might just be going through a period of sadness, or it could be something more than that. Maybe you've been feeling a little down lately and wondered if a depression chat room could help you shake it off. 

Although depression chat rooms shouldn’t replace professional help-seeking, they can be a helpful supplement and form of self-care for those living with depression. Because depression can cause people to feel alone, these chat rooms may provide a safe and welcoming environment in which to learn more about one’s condition, get advice, and relate to people going through a similar situation. 

Keep reading to learn more about depression chat rooms and how to determine if they may be right for you.

Depression vs. sadness

Life's trials and tribulations get all of us down now and again, and it is normal to be sad sometimes. However, being sad doesn't necessarily mean you are depressed. Depression and sadness are two separate issues, with one being more serious and urgent than the other. Depression, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, refers to a mood disorder that is often recurring.

Women have a 70% higher likelihood of depression than men. Additionally, young adults under 25 years of age have depression about 60% more often than people aged 50 and over. Depression affects people of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic classes.

Depression can cause lasting sadness and loss of interest in things you formerly enjoyed. Living with this condition can affect your moods, thoughts, and behaviors. A depressed mood can cause you not to be able to function with your usual daily activities. Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can cause feelings like hopelessness, which may lead to a risk of suicide. 

In many cases, depression is treatable. It can be vital to get depression diagnosed and treated early so that it doesn't cause deeper physical and emotional problems. 

Is depression the same for everyone?

Clinicians diagnose depression in people who express feelings of deep sadness or loss of interest in almost all activities along with at least four other symptoms for two weeks or more. There are several different types of depression, including:

Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent depressive disorder is also called dysthymia. People with this form of depression usually have a depressed mood for at least two years. The level of depression over the years can vary, and people with a persistent depressive disorder can sometimes feel well for long periods of time.

Perinatal depression

Many new parents experience a form of depression shortly after giving birth brought on by a range of factors associated with the birth and newborn stage of parenting. Perinatal depression begins after childbirth and can worsen if not treated.

Psychotic depression

When delusions or hallucinations accompany depression's list of symptoms, a person may be diagnosed with psychotic depression, also called depression with psychotic features. A person with psychotic depression may have symptoms that relate to a theme like guilt or poverty.

Seasonal affective disorder

Seasonal affective disorder typically comes and goes with the seasons. As the gloomy days of winter approach, deep sadness sets in and can become worse as the winter months drag on. Symptoms typically disappear when the cold and snow subside and give way to warmer days with sunshine.

Bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience bouts of depression that alternate with manic episodes.

Because there are several forms of depression, if you are using chat rooms for depression as part of your therapy, you may want to look for a depression chat room for your specific type of depression to get the most accurate and helpful information.

What causes depression?

There are four general causes of depression, though the exact combination of factors and the weight of those factors in the causing of the disorder are unique to each person. Consider the following:

Genetics

Depression can run in families and may even skip generations. We know more about depression and its connection to genetics than ever before. Many cases of depression in family histories went undiagnosed in the past.

Brain chemistry

Brain chemistry can have a lot to do with depression. Our brains are complex organs, and even slight differences in brain chemistry can contribute to depression in some people.

Personality

You may be surprised to learn that personality affects whether people become depressed. People who have naturally low self-esteem, who easily feel stressed, or who are pessimistic are typically more prone to depression.

Environmental stressors

People who would not normally be subject to depression may get it if their environment is stressful. Living a lifestyle of poverty or growing up around violence can cause depression in some people.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

It can be hard to differentiate between sadness that is normal and sadness that stems from a depressive disorder. People with depression may have one or more symptoms. Symptoms that define depression are typically more intense and longer-lasting than sadness over normal life events. Here are some signs to look for:

• Trouble sleeping

• Changes eating habits

• Trouble concentrating

• Lethargy

• Loss of interest

• Poor self-esteem

• Feeling hopeless

• Physical aches and pains

It may benefit you to join an online depression chat if you aren't sure whether your feelings are likely to pass, or could indicate something more serious, such as a depressive disorder. Others who participate in a depression online chat may be able to help you figure out if you need counseling or treatment. If a visit to a clinician shows that you do have depression, there are a variety of treatment options for you. Keep in mind that it can be vital to avoid self-diagnosis and that visiting a professional about your symptoms is never a bad idea. 

How do you treat depression?

Getting the right treatment for depression can be a positive step toward lifting your spirits and helping you feel better. Common forms of treatment for depression include therapy and medication, or a combination of the two.

Other types of treatment include ECT or TMS. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that sends small electrical currents through the brain that changes the brain's chemistry to improve depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a fairly new therapy for depression. It's a procedure that stimulates the brain's nerve cells using magnetic fields. The procedure changes the brain's chemistry and improves the symptoms of depression.

Finding support in depression chat rooms

 If you do decide to use a depression chat room, you can receive advice about what methods have worked for others and learn about potentially helpful coping skills as well. You might consider holistic or experimental treatments in some cases. Your doctor can review your options for medication, personal or group counseling, and other helpful resources so that you can get the most effective care possible. 

Is a depression chat room considered therapy or treatment for depression?

A depression chat room could be considered a form of treatment for depression if you use it as a means of self-help, which may be part of your treatment protocol. Besides giving you a place to connect with therapists and other people living with depression, these chat rooms often have other useful information about depression as well as helpful resources. While these chat rooms are not the sole source of support you should rely on, they can be beneficial supplements to other types of treatment. But emphasize that you shouldn’t rely on it as the sole source of support.

If anything, depression chat rooms can help you learn more about your condition and give you some ideas for caring for yourself effectively. Many sites also clearly display hotline numbers and other services for those having a mental health crisis, which may come in handy if you ever find yourself in this situation.

What are some indicators of a well-run depression chat room?

There are some signs you may want to look for when trying to decide if an online depression chat is right for you. 

First, make a mental note of whether the depression chat line has an online moderator or administrator. The site should clearly post whether certified therapists are administrating or participating in the site. They may even ask you a few initial questions to make sure that you are safe and not experiencing a mental health crisis.

Some sites do not invite therapists. The rules for the depression online chat should be clearly posted, and offenders should be asked to leave the group immediately.

Are there any risks to be worried about in depression chat rooms?

Every chat room carries some amount of risk with it. Risk can be especially concerning for people who live with depression since depression can sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. People need emergency professional help when depression leads to suicidal thoughts, and chat rooms are often unable to provide that. Usually, these individuals must reach out to a hotline or other source for the appropriate support. 

Many depression chat rooms have rules about mentioning thoughts or plans about suicide so that those words don't trigger or negatively affect someone else in the group. Depression chat rooms that are unfiltered and unmoderated can be dangerous for people with suicidal ideations. Also, they may drag down others who are not suicidal and discover the depression chat site when looking for education and support. If needed, the staff should gently direct anyone making such comments to a crisis hotline where they can get help.

Be wary of the online community, especially in loneliness and low mental health 

It can be important to be cognizant of the individuals participating in a depression chat room. While you might take advice from a licensed professional, be careful about receiving guidance from individuals who don’t have mental health or crisis training. The information these individuals give may be inaccurate, which could put you in a worse situation or mental state than before. If you’re unsure about the guidance you’re receiving, ensure you run it by a professional, such as a doctor or therapist. Your safety and well-being should be your top priority. 

The right depression chat room can be very helpful as a part of treatment. However, it doesn’t replace professional intervention and may serve as a valuable self-help tool instead. You might need to look around to find the depression chat room that offers the right support for you depending on your needs, preferences, and the type of depression you’re living with.

Getting support for depression with online therapy

Depression can make it difficult to function from day to day, particularly without treatment. Meeting with a therapist can make a difference in one’s healing journey, giving individuals an outlet to process their feelings and a safe space to feel seen and heard. However, because symptoms of depression can include a lack of motivation, loss of energy, and little interest in activities, it may be challenging to make it to a therapy appointment. 

Online support through counseling and therapy platforms

One alternative is online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. With online therapy, sessions can be scheduled from anywhere at anytime. With the option to speak with a therapist through video chats, phone calls, or messaging, virtual therapy may be preferable for some individuals who are struggling to find the right mental health treatment for them.

The efficacy of online therapy and counseling for treating depression

Research has shown the effectiveness of online therapy in treating a variety of mental health concerns, including depressive disorders. In a comparative review of 17 different studies, researchers assessed the efficacy of electronically-delivered and face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapies in treating depression, finding that both forms of treatment were equally as effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a type of therapy that recognizes the link between one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps individuals identify their unhelpful thinking patterns and create newer, healthier ways of thinking.