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Depression... hmmm You gotta trust someone, totally, someone that ONLY has your best interests at heart and yes usually it is family, occasionally friends. Know who you can trust and trust them. They will tell you the truth that you need to hear with compassion and love, no self interest. Depression if not dealt with in the early stages can lead to either an on-going cycle of non self actualisation. A big secret tip is that when you get out of the depressive state of mind you deal with the real cause, not just the symptom/s, for example I was emotionally abused by my husband, but the cause .... I thought I wasn't good enough - I allowed negative self talk to affirm itself in my thinking that I did not stand up for what I know is true. I am good enough, good enough for me and too good for my ex husband :-) though it did take 9 years.....1) trust someone who has your interests at heart. Someone who supports you, provides information, facts. My mum did that! For 6 weeks I recovered, corrected my thinking which in turn corrected the chemical imbalance. 2) Yes I took a sleeping tablet initially... one... I hadn't slept for over a two weeks... that will cause a chemical imbalance! 3) Long term anti depressants or any drug of dependance only hides the cause, it doesn't heal it. But do take something if it is going to help in the short-term knowing that it is only for that purpose alone 4) See a specialist or discline yourself in self help if you have the family/friend support that gives you the space you need to work it out but the guidance and direction to keep you on track in terms of correcting your thinking 5) Be positive and have family and friends that are positive around you. Get rid of your negative thoughts and hang around people with good thoughts, generally and about you. 6) Finally, Be grateful for the support your family and friends give, they are human too and doing their best to help you, the best they can. Let them know how you feel, what support you need from them. Share your load - one could do research, another - unconditional love and hugs, another physical stuff like keeping your house in order, washing, taking out your rubbish bin, etc. Increase your network of support - family, friends, support groups, specialists, etc but your family let them help you in their own way as long as it is helpful. Your support group must have faith and belief in you too, just as you have faith in them. Your support group will talk about you but only to help you. Make sure you talk to them and be confident and happy because they are working together to help you. Mum, dad, brother, sister, good friends, etc. 7) On the road to recovery - take small steps... go on that picnic with the ones you trust. Slowly go other places, stop judging yourself and start socialising, little by little, step by step... By this stage the chemical imbalance is correcting itself. Go back to work or to your routine, if you don't have one, create one... volunteering once a week, a walk for half hour every day... start putting some healthy wellbeing practices into place. If looking after little ones, take the responsbility gently, make sure the enironment is safe for you and your children. Move back to your parents if you need (I did for 6 weeks and it was the best decision I made)...Fill the environment with love. 8) Finally back on your own 2 feet.. keep the support networks, they are your true friends. Study stuff on self dialogue, assertion, self esteem, confidence, mananging stress, prioritising, organisational skills, life skills...do a manage your finance course. Stick with what you learn. Deal with stressors before they overwhelm you. Overcome your fear of success and accept success in your life.