Does this person sound like they're depressed?

I woman I work with has depression.  Has taken meds from her family doctor but says they don't work and has them changed.  Says she has thoughts of driving off the road, etc.  Her doctor wanted her to talk to a therapist a few years ago but she said no.  I asked her at work why not and she said she had me to talk to.  I am not a therapist, just her coworker.  In fact, I see a psychiatrist and therapist for my depression and anxiety.  Seemed strange I was the one in therapy and not her.  Anyhow, she's 40, very immature, her 21-year-old daughter is much more mature.  When at work, she jokes around, laughs, seems like she's so happy, and sometimes I have a hard time laughing along with her.  I asked her about it and she said she looks to me as a very good friend and she's happy to come to work with me and talk.  She does, and always has, had trouble with her kids until they got older, and I believe she's getting older but cannot grow up.  She tells me all her troubles out of work and I try to help her but again I've told her I'm not a therapist and what I say is probably the wrong advice.  She finally went to a therapist a few weeks ago and sees a psychiatrist next week, she went through a program through our employer.  She asked her therapist what I had asked her about being so happy at work but yet depressed.  Therapist then just asked her about her job and that she does enjoy coming to work.  Friend tells me and her therapist that she's not depressed at work, just most everything else.  She does have a habit of lying once in awhile and I'm just not sure what to believe about her.  She says I'm her bestest friend and I look at us as just friendly coworkers but outside of work, not much in common at all.  In our discussions at work about how we feel, no matter what I say about my feelings, wanting to die, my outlook, etc,, she always says she feels the same way.  Like I said, I have a hard time believing much of what she says.  Maybe she really is suffering depression, it's just different than how I feel. I never feel happy or like to joke around like she does at work, then be so depressed outside of work. BTW, she has divorced her husband, newly engaged and seems happy with him, a very different life than she had with her ex, not so many problems with her kids now that they're older.  With my depression, I seem sad and lonely all the time, and this is something that seems to be getting worse. Thank you all.

[j17c27]

Some people can be very good at hiding depression. In my case, I am extremely depressed and suicidal...but I still laugh, joke around, and go out. I see my friends almost everyday and they dont really know about my depression.  Depression isnt something you can see like chicken pox...its more than that. You cannot read peoples minds...sometimes as Im laughing and smiling Im thinking in my mind how Im unwanted and how if I were to just disappear at that moment, no one would care. Sometimes people deal with sadness by being overly friendly and never being serious because its kind of like putting a bandaid over a cut...you stop the bleeding but it doesnt heal the cut...

Friends are important when you are depressed...Its nice of you to talk to her.  ANd your right, she should see a therapist because although she talks to you, its almost not fair for her to rely on you to help her cure her depression.  Keep pushing for the therapist, and good luck!

[AnnaSalCullen]

I am not a psychologist and I must say I completely understand ur view and we should try to help others especially when we feel the way they do but I am so happy that u r very much aware that this woman needs to see a professional and that her issues are not ur responsibility. If she lies then I get y u dont believe her u feel she may just be saying things to make conversation. However, she may be depressed even though she's ok at work. I can laugh with my co-workers and talk to them but inside I still feel empty and trapped and many days I have to go to the bathroom and just cry. It's just that some persons like myself feel weird about their depression and doesnt want  others to know so we find a way to keep the emotions in and paint a smile for others to see. My advice is kep encouraging this woman to seek help and be friendly to her but never take on her problems u cant make urself happy and someone else happy as well.

[rjbprincess]

Depression can come in all kinds of forms, if she has had a disturbing event like a divorce it is quite likely that she could be suffering from depression. In regards to the mood swings, it is possible she could be going through early menopause and her hormones are all over the place. I think it is a good thing that she is talking to somebody, and that you care so much for her. The first step to recovery is telling someone about a problem. All I can suggest is maybe ask if you can bring your friend along to one of your sessions and she might feel more open to talking about something with someone who knows her situation and isn't going to judge her. I wish both you and her the best recovery and wish you well

[j17c27]

Some people can be very good at hiding depression. In my case, I am extremely depressed and suicidal...but I still laugh, joke around, and go out. I see my friends almost everyday and they dont really know about my depression.  Depression isnt something you can see like chicken pox...its more than that. You cannot read peoples minds...sometimes as Im laughing and smiling Im thinking in my mind how Im unwanted and how if I were to just disappear at that moment, no one would care. Sometimes people deal with sadness by being overly friendly and never being serious because its kind of like putting a bandaid over a cut...you stop the bleeding but it doesnt heal the cut...

Friends are important when you are depressed...Its nice of you to talk to her.  ANd your right, she should see a therapist because although she talks to you, its almost not fair for her to rely on you to help her cure her depression.  Keep pushing for the therapist, and good luck!

[Kayannaboo]

Ur absolutely right I'm laughing, smiling but deep down I feel horrible and feel like crawling out of my skin...I think Ive been sad for so long that I just consider it apart of my life and just let it flow.