Depression is one of those oddly stigmatized maladies in our society. Although it affects up to 18 million people in the U.S. alone, many feel depression is something that can be controlled by positive thinking or simply pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. Depression is considered one of those things that affects the weak or those unable to help themselves, but nothing could be further from the truth. Depression is a serious issue. People often underestimate the effects and extent of depression because they do not understand it. Though there is no cure to depression, although there are ways to mitigate its effect on your life.

First, you should consult a healthcare professional to determine whether you have clinical depression. People will often confuse bouts of sadness or the blues with depression. If you’re feeling down for a little while, don’t automatically assume you are depressed. Depression manifests itself in different ways in different people. Here are symptoms some may experience: lack of energy, change in appetite or weight, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, and trouble sleeping. Again, I will stress that you should not diagnose yourself. Please speak to a healthcare provider about your symptoms.

Causes of depression are varied as well. Some studies show there may be a genetic predisposition to certain types of depression. Gender can be a factor – depression affects twice as many women than men. Women also become vulnerable to depression after having a child. This is known as post-partum depression and should be taken very seriously. Stress, grief, traumatic events, and age can also play a role.

Clinical depression is known to be linked a chemical imbalance in your brain. Different medications are prescribed to help correct that imbalance, such as Prozac and Zoloft. These help restore the chemical imbalance thought to cause depression by increasing the level of serotonin. Anti-depressants are not a cure, though they may help with symptoms over time. However, many patients will feel tempted to stop taking the medication too soon, feeling as though they are “cured” or that it isn’t doing enough for them. The decision to stop and start antidepressants should be made with the help of your healthcare provider.

Counseling is another great way to treat depression. Speaking to someone about your experiences and have a neutral sounding board to work through your issues can help enormously. Take the time to get to the root of your issues and identify behaviors that are potentially harmful.

There is no magic bullet or quick fix that will cure depression. Reducing its effects on your everyday life will take time. Don’t go it alone. Reach out to someone. Talk to family or friends.

Take it one step at a time. Don’t think you’re going to change everything in your life in one step. Instead, work toward your goals slowly and take the time to celebrate your successes. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It will be all right over time. Get exercise. Get sleep. Eat well. Take care of yourself.