To begin, what is depression and how do you know if you have it? It is hard to say since it affects everyone differently. There are some basic similarities though. It can come on subtly or with an overwhelming trauma. It can even come on with a memory.

Since depression can come on slow, it can go by hidden to the one experiencing it. Due to the fact it is a slow evolution, some people may notice even though you may not. It is like a child who appears to be growing rapidly. Relatives who have not seen the child notice the growth immediately while the parents don’t see it as clearly. Because you see your depression everyday, it may be hard to believe you have it.

It can start with some anxiety, fear, hurt, or sadness and then move to seasons of sadness or “blue” feelings. Then it often gradually becomes real depression and can develop into severe major depression. Before you know it you’re not sleeping well, your eating habits are changing, you feel numb, you are gaining or losing weight, you are having trouble concentrating, you are avoiding certain people or events, and beginning to isolate yourself.

Simple tasks become hard to do. Like, opening the mail, bill paying, or answering the phone. Here are some signs of depression that you may recognize.

First, what does depression feel like? It is hard to pinpoint the feelings of depression because many people experience it differently. Some basic similarities are: 1. You are experiencing feelings of consistent irritability, sadness or anger. 2. Nothing seems interesting or fun anymore. 3. You feel bad about yourself feeling worthless, guilty and “wrong” or you don’t fit in. 4. Your sleeping habits are all messed up. You sleep too much or not enough. 5. You have a lot of unexplained headaches or other physical problems. 6. You cry easily. 7. Your weight is different. You are either losing or gaining without any effort. 8. Your concentration is poor and your work habits are poor. 9. You are helpless and hopeless and your general outlook on life is negative. 10. You may be thinking about death or suicide or some way to escape. Second, if you have thoughts of suicide or have a tendency to want to escape, what do you do with those thoughts and what answers are there if you are feeling them? Sometimes these thoughts can be scary and overwhelming. If you feel you are thinking in this way, and do not see any solutions you should get help right away. When in this state of emotions it is hard to talk to others, but it is well worth it to reach out to a pastor or counselor in your area to talk through your thoughts and feelings and to get a professional, objective opinion and help!

When you talk to someone that is sworn to silence it can help make you feel better and relieve the tension that comes with the depression. Even though it seems there are no answers, there are.

Start a journal. This is free and it has proven to be a great success. If you write your thought without holding anything back, you will be able to relieve a lot of those thoughts that seem to trap you. If you are afraid someone will read the journal, keep it in a safe place or throw away the writing after it is written. It is still beneficial to get your thoughts out on paper. What a lot of people who have experienced signs of depression say that it helped them see how their thoughts were and helped get them back on track. It helped them also love themselves again for who they were.

Many will write down one issue that is bothering them and then taking that one issue and breaking it down into four categories.

To start, for example, describe the problem. I am angry with my husband because he is late for dinner.

Second, write about your thoughts of what happened. For example, “if he loved me he would not have been late.”

Third, write down what emotions you are feeling from this situation: fear, hurt, sadness, lonely, guilt, shame, etc. Or maybe it is easier to identify with one of the following messages: “I feel inadequate, unloved, unappreciated, like I don’t matter, I am defective, unlovable, worthless, embarrassed,” etc.

Finally, explain on paper the path you are choosing to act out. For example, I am choosing to isolate myself because it makes me feel better about myself. The honesty in which you do this will unveil a heart you can view and start to heal.

Those that chose the path to end their lives yet failed were sharing how they became hopeful only after their thoughts were shared and they grew to understand the depression. They realized their feelings were temporary and easier to deal with.

You have heard that time heals, but time only heals if you are healing. If you are not healing, time just petrifies and hardens hearts and makes us self-defensive and over protective. Take a step and begin healing today and get ready for a happier and healthier life!

PS. If your depression has gotten to the point where you are having thoughts of ending your life, please call 911 and get some help immediately. Or call a counselor, who will know how to help.

If you need Counseling on depressionfeel free to go to Chuck Sugar.com If you needfree worksheets that help that can help. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.