Depression: "I feel sad most of the time."

"I feel sad most of the time."

Depression isn't just a feeling. It's a condition that can cause debilitating hopelessness, despair, apathy and irritability. It steals our motivation and turns everyday tasks into impossible burdens. It turns our assumptions about the future upside-down.

Symptoms of clinical depression may include persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, a loss of interest in pleasurable things, insomnia or too much sleep, difficulty concentrating or a sense of helplessness. Research has shown that a combination of psychotherapy, resiliency training and healthy lifestyle changes can help those suffering from depression to heal. Medication is helpful in many cases.

Those with depression too often suffer in silence. The first towards healing is to talk with someone who is supportive and empathetic. A therapist can provide skills to help cope with symptoms and regain a sense of well-being over time.