Understanding depression is the first step to curing depression. 1 in 10 people suffer from depression in some form in america. Depression is a lonely medical illness; particularly for the afflicted who forgo medical attention and family support. Due to the historical stigmatism associated with the disorder, mainly because of bipolar or manic depression it often remains a silent topic. When family or friends are diagnosed with cancer or any other chronic illness, loved ones offer support. Why not for a person who has depression? The answer is because most people don't understand depression. But the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of depression is enough reason already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on.

Here are some signs of depression:

Feels hopeless, perennial pessimist:

Speaking of feeling sorry for one's self, another sign of depression is when a person actually feels like he/she has nothing to look forward to in his or her life. As for being the perennial pessimist, those who show this sign of depression are usually very negative about things, again, a feeling of hopelessness comes to mind.

Guilt-driven, loss of self-worth and helplessness:

Signs of depression that can be easily seen on people who prefer to mope around all day long are. Whenever a person feels so guilty over something, that the person feels like he or she doesn't deserve to be happy. Thus, the loss of self-worth, and helplessness contribute to being depressed. When assuming that things won't simply go your way, it's already clear that you have absolutely no hope in your body at all.

Isn't interested in finding or taking pleasure:

Just dropping the hobbies as well as the other things that one used to enjoy. this sign of depression just shows how depressed a person can be. If one is actually too sad to take pleasure even in the very things that one loves then that person is seriously lacking something. You might say that person has caught the depression bug.

Fatigue, always tired:

People suffering from depression, since they've lost whatever interest in life that they may have had before are actually lacking of physical energy at all times. If a person would prefer to just mope around, and probably won't even eat or get enough sleep, may well be on their way to not just a mental illness, but can actually be terrible for one's physical health as well.

Having trouble concentrating, having bad memory and is indecisive:

A person who is suffering from depression easily gives away this sign of depression. Wherein one's lack of interest with regards to the outside world or for just about anything for that matter can lead to that person's inability to keep track of things and actually not be able to remember things that happened or what other people said. Lack of interest actually makes depressed people very inattentive.

Here are some types of depression:

Manic or Bipolar depression - characterized by sudden and extreme changes in one's mood wherein one minute he or she is in an elevated state of euphoria while the next minute he or she is feeling to be in a personal hell. Manic depression or Bipolar depression is actually considered as one of the worst type of depression that people usually suffer from.

Postpartum depression - characterized by a prolonged sadness and a feeling of emptiness like a new mother wherein physical stress during child birth. An uncertain sense of responsibility towards the new born baby can be just some of the possible factors why some new mother's go through this.

Dysthimia - characterized by a slight similarity with depression. Although, it's been proven to be a lot less severe, but of course with any case, should be treated immediately.

Cyclothemia - characterized by a slight similarity with Manic or Bipolar depression wherein the individual suffering from this mental illness may occasionally suffer from severe changes in one's moods.

Seasonal Affective Disorder - characterized by falling in a rut only during specific seasons (i.e. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall). Studies however, prove that more people actually fall in to a rut more during the Winter and Fall seasons.

There are more and can be found by a good medical provider.

You can break free from the crippling effects of depression and reclaim your life! From various medications (like Zoloft antidepressant depression treatment) to all sorts of psychotherapies promising to be the best depression treatment. The patient, as well as his or her family are sure to get the best, positive results from these depression treatments.

But depression treatment actually starts with the patient openly acknowledging his or her illness, by just being honest with one's self. It'll be a lot easier not only for the doctor but for the patient most of all, to actually cure depression and find an appropriate depression treatment for him or her.

While being treated for depression, the patient as well as his or her family and other loved ones are advised to make realistic goals concerning depression. Wherein, to not assume that their depression can be easily treated in a snap. Depression help begins with trying to understand the patient's situation and to continue being patient.