People experiencing depression feel hopeless.  They may have feelings
of worthlessness and experience a loss of interest in every-day
activities such as work, hobbies or physical intimacy.

Many factors can trigger depression such as: being out of work,
serious illness, divorce, flunking out of school, loss of a loved one.
Sometimes there is no apparent factor that triggers a depression.

There are many prescription drugs as well as illegal drugs that can
cause depression.

Scientific studies have determined that antidepressants work best
when they are combined with counseling, such as seeing a
psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other health professional
on a regular basis.

It is essential that depressed people who are on medication do not
discontinue taking their medication even when they feel great.  You
need to take your medications religiously every day regardless of
how you feel.

If you discontinue taking your medications without the advice and
approval of your doctor, there is a good chance that you will fall into
a tailspin and become depressed again, possibly severely, and the
medicines may take longer to work.