My philosophy on depression

As I have suffered depression before and know what the experience is like I feel that my experience enables me to help others. There are many theories and opinions as to the causes and nature of depression and I would like to explain mine. I am no doctor, so I leave the technical explanations and treatment to them but I do feel that there is much that a sufferer needs to do to help him or herself to recover from depression.

What I believe about depression  

• It is a debilitating mental illness which affects many millions of people and many sufferers do not even realise they are depressed
• Most people live with mild forms of depression and never seek treatment
• It is the cause of much pain and unhappiness, unrealized potential and suicide
• It can be treated in most people
• Seeing a doctor is necessary to correctly diagnose and advise you what you should do if you think you may be depressed
• The most important step towards recovery is admitting that you suffer from depression
• Depression can be caused by events in your life or the reasons may appear to be unknown
• Depression can follow from negative thinking and low self esteem
• Changing your pattern of thought and attitude can help you find a way out of depression
• Depression clouds your judgement and robs you of enjoyment in life
• Depression causes many other related health problems
• Depression is a stress-related illness
• It is the most common form of mental illness
• Depression is not the same as feeling unhappy or sad
• Depression may be a result of a chemical or nutritional inbalance or deficiency
• Depression can be either a physical illness or a mental illness
• To recover, support is extremely important. Doctors, friends are very important.
• Self-help is a very important factor in curing yourself of depression but guidance and outside help is also vital.