Depression - What is it?

Find a qualified professional

Depression is a medical problem and it can be managed - and in some cases almost cured

It's an issue of not having enough neurotransmitters in the right place

Interestingly it can be cured by inducing seizures as this floods the little spaces between your braincells with neurotransmitters - but there are drugs that can accomplish the same thing

There are more and more treatments all the time - and a brighter world waiting for you

I can totally relate. I've had major depressive disorder for over 20 years. Lately I've been cycling, feeling down for 3 weeks, ok for 1. But I'm seeing a psych who also diagnosed me with ptsd due to neglect and abuse as a child as well as adhd-pi. I don't maintain my friendships because everyone either inevitably betrays me or leaves. I'm going through a divorce due to my depression as well. Sometimes I find the humor in /r/depression_memes uplifting though.

Fffff, heck everybody gets depressed but you know what, one of the best things to do is just get out of your mind, you know? Take a break from social media, maybe take a walk, get some fresh air, eat some good food and just start feeling things, don't get too caught in your mind - maybe terrible and unhelpful advice...

But your not alone and people will be willing to listen to you, alright?

### dammit I didn’t mean to sound rude or dismissive when I said “everybody gets depressed” >.<
Not trying to diminish it any, just bad English, sorry...

"Fffff, heck everybody gets depressed"

While true - some people have more of an issue than others due to innate chemical imbalance

Find a way to laugh and have fun. Even if you feel like not doing anything or just sleeping or whatever, just do something. The absolute worst thing you can do when depressed is just sit there and stew on it like you are. You have to remove it from what you're actively thinking about. Reflect on it only once you've sufficiently distracted yourself and try to figure out what the origin is by putting yourself in the shoes of an outsider looking at a story.

That aside, there's no shame in seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. For most people, depression is not something that can be easily managed without medication, and a good psychologist doesn't just listen to your problems but also will teach you how to better cope and help you with coming to terms with problems. I'd strongly recommend it as someone who has been there, done that.

There tends to be one or two days every month where I feel like absolute dog shit emotionally, but it doesn't really bug me anymore since I've learned how to distract myself extremely well.

It's kind of hard to deliver hugs over the internet, but you sound like you need one.

An illness with no known cure.

For all these people that think depression is the same as the depression caused by a death of a loved one or a breakup need to research. There is a clear difference. The type of depression the op is referring to is not cured by a good laugh. No amount of fun will help either. I should know i suffer from it as well. I manage mine. thats all you can do is manage it. normal depression has a reason why you feel that way. their is a clear cause.
Clinical depression is a different beast. You feel sad and have no reason why you should be feeling that way. The medical field is not even 100% sure why it happens. They try to treat it with meds like SSRIs but they dont help the root cause.

So i understand the feeling OP.

You really should look for professional help. I hope you get better soon.

This little post hits very close to home. I was once at the exact same spot that you are in your life right now. In my case it was pain due to lack of finding purpose or meaning in my existence. No matter what anybody says, it will get better. Please do seek professional help if you need to. Do not ever feel shame in asking to be listened to. Sometimes what you are feeling will come and go in waves. It is not easy but please stay strong. One of the things that helped in my case is surrounding yourself in those that care about you. No matter what your insecurities may tell you, People will want to be there for you. Other things that help with it is trying to find something that you can be passionate about and try to find how you can expand learning on it (its no cure but its a distraction and it can be of help sometimes) Sometimes depression is an underlying symptom to a bigger problem that may be causing it. Take some time to think as to what could be the source of what is affecting you. Sometimes it may just be depression by itself, but that is OK! There is help for that too. Please also be patient towards those that do not understand depression. Its stigmatized in society unfortunately. I remember someone once telling me many years ago that I was faking being depressed because they heard me laugh at one point(which is a ridiculous line of logic) So avoid the ones that lack empathy and seek company in those that do. There are plenty of us that understand what you are going through! you are not alone

What is "innate chemical imbalance"

sometimes people may be born with a chemical imbalance in the brain. it just means that there are medications that can help correct the issue.

Look, I've been through that and its not easy. And it was made even worse by the fact that I was diagnosed with a macroadenoma.If it grows then I'll be dead by next month. But that's not the point.The point here is for you to try and cope with depression and hell, 123 people kill themselves a day.So, Just try to be happy.Don't be like me who fell even deeper into the crap-hole by not wanting to eat.It's not easy but, It's not impossible ether

If your depression is not directly caused by bad experience/events, it is usually linked to thinking too deeply about life. I.e. coming to grips with the finality of life, loneliness (which can even occur when having a good family life) and a third cause I can't recall.
They are the sources on which religions are built. Religion can be a powerful antidote, but if you are not religious, try to find comfort in the good things about life (hobbies, relationships, etc). Also remember, that it could have been much worse (e.g. hunger) and that finality also gives life meaning (a movie does not become worthless because it ends). Additionally keep in mind that our consciousness is an evolutionary tool for survival (i.e. thinking ahead and outside the box) and reproduction. If your consciousness leads to severe depression which causes harm, it can be considered a bug. What I'm trying to say: do not take your consciousness too seriously. Just live life (slightly) more like a sheep (which never suffers depression).

It appears most people here dont really know what true depression is.....

The simplest answer is its a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Depression is NOT when something bad happens in your life and you feel extremely sad for awhile.

Depression IS a general feeling of worthlessness/unhappiness that can last for months/years/DECADES that currently there is no known cure for. Depression saps joy from every aspect of life such as job/friends/family even basic animal instinct pleasures (food, sex, etc.) can feel joyless.

For the OP you need to figure out if youre going through a rough patch of life right now or if its something more serious.....

@burial
except that depression can be caused by events taking place in your life. Not everything can be attributed to being born with it. Take it from me.
The form of depression you describe is one of many.

Depression IS 24/7. yes there are good/bad times, but even in the good times you are still "sad."

WD_GASTER2 True but its usually a severe traumatic event that causes it not normal stuff like a death in the family or losing a job.....

perhaps, however people that go through a depressive episode (considered clinically depressed for over a period longer over a year) Do exist and have been able to recover. Not everyone is the same however. Please though be careful with the words "no cure" not every person dealing with depression is the same.

WD_GASTER2 There is NO cure. Antidepresents/therapy only treat the symptoms. Just because some people beat their depression doesnt change that fact. Some people beat cancer, but there is still no real cure, only treatment.

You are telling this to a person that was diagnosed treated for depression over a decade ago and have not had a relapse in many years. "Cure" in the literal sense of the word no. However you can get past a depressive episode(not everyone is the same and or dealing with the same type of depression). However I kindly will not debate about mental health on the wall of a member who obviously needs help. Neither of us are medical professionals and i rather not debate semantics about this.