Clinical depression is a serious medical condition that responds to treatment. It is not the same as being sad or feeling lonely. In order to determine wether or not you should seek out help such as a therapist or depression support group you must first make a reasonable judgement of wether you are actually depressed or not. In order to be considered depressed, a patient should have at least five of the following symptoms:
lack of interest
noticeable changes in weight
being unable to sleep or sleeping excessively
restlessness
short term memory problems
lack of concentration
feeling suicidal
sad mood
feeling of hopelessness
Other symptoms associated with depression are:
being easily exhausted
losing interest in things used to enjoying
becoming emotional or upset for no particular reason
irritability
feelings of anxiety
even the smallest tasks seem impossible to complete
there are many other symptoms of depression, and it is precisely this loose definition which confuses many people as to what depression actually is. The simple answer is that everybody's experience with depression is different. In general, if you feel sufficiently depressed that you want to do something about it, it is sufficient to consider yourself a candidate for seeking help.
One method of treatment for depression is attending a depression support group. Depression Support group meets are safe and are proven to work when there is a good fit between the group and patient. This is why a support group is usually determined after at least three individual sessions in which your therapist determines which group would be the best fit for you. It is important that once you begin attending a depression support group, enough time is given to the process in order for it to work. A vital part for depression or any other group therapy to be effective is the level of trust between members. After a while, you will find yourself sharing similar feelings with likeminded people in similar situations. You will find this incredibly comforting and a vital part of your healing process.