Depression is a real mental disorder and is extremely common. Depression can interfere with your ability to enjoy your life, eat, study, sleep, and work. Although the causes of depression are still being researched, it is known that depression is a combination of psychological, environmental, biological, and genetic factors.

Anyone suffering from depression needs some form of
medical and/or mental health intervention in order to get better

People in your life, such as family members and friends may tell you to just “snap out of it,” but depression isn’t a sign of a person’s character flaw or a personal weakness. The truth is that depression needs medical attention in order for it to get better. It is a medical condition that needs treatment. No one will tell you to just “snap out of” diabetes or hypertension, would they?

If you are a family member or friend with depression, you can offer emotional support, encouragement, patience, and understanding.

If you think you may have depression, begin by getting an appointment with your healthcare provider for an evaluation. This could be a psychiatrist or a family doctor. Talk to your physician about symptoms. Be concise, clear, and honest, your doctor needs to know your symptoms and how you are feeling so they can steer you towards the steps necessary in treating the depression.

This book can help you decide if you have depression and learn more about the causes and treatments.

Depression IS treatable, don’t ignore it or delay getting help, your life and its quality really does depend on it - Stay well and take care!