Depression Does Not Always Look Like Sadness: A Franklin County Conversation

An ordinary day can hide a difficult one. A Franklin County clinician explains why depression may be easy to miss and how to begin asking for help.

Illustrative still-life photograph: hello aesthe / Pexels. Not a Dove facility or a verified Dublin location. Image source.

This Week in Recovery · Mental health · Dublin & Central Ohio edition · October 22, 2026

Dublin and Columbus readers may recognize the scene: someone gets through work, picks up the groceries, answers a few messages, and tells everyone they are fine. From the outside, little seems different. On the inside, daily life may be taking far more effort than it used to.

An October 21 interview from the ADAMH Board of Franklin County speaks directly to that gap. For Depression Awareness Month, ADAMH asked OhioGuidestone clinical supervisor Cheryl Hines how signs can differ from one person or life stage to another, when to seek professional help, and how local residents can learn about care.

The interview offers a useful starting point for women and families in the Dublin area: notice a lasting change, take it seriously, and leave room for a conversation without trying to diagnose someone from a distance.

Signs of depression can be easy to overlook

Hines tells ADAMH that adolescents may become more irritable or show a change in school performance. Adults may continue their usual responsibilities while struggling quietly. Older adults may report fatigue or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Those examples matter because many people expect depression to announce itself as visible sadness.

The National Institute of Mental Health describes a wider range of possible signs: persistent low or anxious mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. Irritability can also be part of the picture. A list cannot tell an individual what is happening. Health conditions and other experiences can produce similar changes, which is one reason a qualified clinician's assessment matters.

The practical question is not “Does this match every item?” It is “Has something changed, persisted, or begun to interfere with daily life?” NIMH advises people whose symptoms persist to talk with a health care provider. That conversation can begin even when the person is unsure what to call the problem.

Pregnancy and postpartum deserve their own attention

For women who are pregnant or have recently given birth, exhaustion and adjustment can make emotional changes especially hard to name. NIMH explains that perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth and is more than the short-lived “baby blues.” The institute advises seeking professional help when concerning symptoms are severe, persist, or interfere with functioning.

In the Franklin County interview, Hines says OhioGuidestone offers services focused on prenatal and maternal depression, as well as individual, family, couples, and group therapy for youths and adults. That description belongs to OhioGuidestone. It should not be read as a list of services provided by Dove Recovery.

Even when a family is busy meeting a baby's needs, the pregnant or postpartum person's health deserves attention in its own right. Asking a clinician about a change in mood, interest, sleep, or functioning is a reasonable first step. It does not require waiting until the struggle becomes obvious to everyone else.

How to start a supportive conversation

If you notice a change in someone you care about, begin with what you have actually seen: “You seem more tired than usual,” or “You have not wanted to do the things you usually enjoy.” Ask how they are doing, listen to the answer, and offer to help them find a professional to speak with if they want that help. Avoid making a diagnosis or treating one difficult day as proof of an illness.

If the change is yours, you can start just as simply. Tell a health professional what has been different and for how long. You do not need perfect language for the appointment to be worthwhile. Hines's ADAMH interview includes OhioGuidestone's current contact and service information for Franklin County residents.

For readers also navigating substance use or recovery, mental health deserves a place in the conversation. NIMH notes that depression can sometimes involve increased alcohol or drug use. That observation does not establish the cause of any individual's symptoms. It is a reason to tell a clinician about the whole picture rather than trying to sort concerns into separate boxes alone.

A place to begin: Read the local ADAMH interview for OhioGuidestone's details, or speak with your own health care provider. Dove Recovery's Dublin team can answer questions about its women's addiction treatment and assessment process. A conversation with Dove is not a substitute for an evaluation of depression by a qualified professional.

Frequently asked questions

Can depression show up as irritability or exhaustion instead of sadness?

Yes. NIMH lists irritability, low energy, and other changes among possible symptoms. A clinician can assess what is behind them.

Where can a Franklin County resident learn about local depression support?

The ADAMH Board's October 21 interview describes OhioGuidestone services and gives current contact details. A primary care or mental health professional can also help assess persistent symptoms.

Is postpartum depression the same as the baby blues?

No. NIMH's perinatal depression guidance distinguishes depression during or after pregnancy from short-lived mood changes after birth. Persistent or severe symptoms warrant professional attention.

Sources and reporting

This feature draws on a published local interview and federal health guidance. It is not a Dove Journal interview, diagnosis, or account of treatment outcomes. OhioGuidestone and ADAMH are independent organizations.

Sources checked October 22, 2026. General information; a qualified health professional can assess individual concerns.

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