Living with depression can be a very dark and desperate experience, often isolating you from the things and people that make you happy and life worthwhile. You may feel as though seeing a therapist or taking anti-depressants is a sign of weakness, though it is actually a sign of strength.
Sometimes an antidepressant is needed in order to help you cope with depression. These will also increase your level of happiness. Sometimes, it may take trial and error to find the right one.
Try and avoid putting yourself in a negative spiral of depression symptoms. Focusing on all of the negative thoughts repeatedly just causes more depression. Shifting your attention to the positive aspects of your life while encouraging others to do the same can have a profound effect on your overall state of mind.
Being sad and being depressed are different, of course, but the same techniques often help …