Are you consistently sad and have feelings of "emptiness"?

Personally, I have been suffering from depression for a while. Before I had my daughter, I was dealing with family issues that led me to be sad and feel alone. Fortunately, I was able to pull myself out of that slump. I was happy to be getting married and having my first child.

Little did I know that having a chid would give me the risk of post-partum depression, which six months later, I am still dealing with. I have good days and bad days, but I am working hard to get back on the right track and ensure I never get back to that dark place again.

I am not usually a depressed person, and I am optimistic and encouraging most of the time, and I often try to spread positive energy in every situation. No matter how negative other people can be, I know I can not allow their negativity to take me down. I do; however, often let things get to me, and it is generally things that are personal to me that get to me the most. The best thing I can do in the instance is focused on little things that make me smile every day and focus on the moment. Depression is a treatable medical illness.

Most people respond to treatment and can bring their lives back into balance. Pay attention to your symptoms and be prepared to seek a doctor’s help if your symptoms should continue or deteriorate. If you’re not sure if your warning signs are part of your depression or something more serious, seek the judgment of a clinician or therapist, as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your symptoms to turn out to be severe. The very best things you can do to help yourself and your loved ones are being alerted to deviations in your feelings and moods, allow yourself time to heal and feel free to seek appropriate assistance.