It's just a health condition and can be treated.

There are lots of causes of depression, and there are lots of ways to treat it. Unfortunately, you pretty much have to go through a process of trial and error to find our what well help you.

Exercise can boost mood, so look into that, especially if your life is sedentary. You don't have to become a power weight lifter or run a marathon. Just getting out and walking for half an hour each day will help, but seems like I've heard that cardio exercise for at least 45 gives a bigger benefit.

Getting enough sleep (but not too much) also helps.

Low thyroid or low testosterone can mimic depression or cause it. You might want to see a doctor and get a blood rest to be sure nothing is wrong there.

Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can be very effective in treating depression for some. The trick is finding a good therapist. I know a few in south Utah county if you are interested. Some therapists are better than others, and you will feel more comfortable with some than with others. If you try therapy and don't like your therapist, try another one before giving up.

And of course there is medication you can take to help with depression. It seems like anti-depressants get a bad rap here on CB, but they are a legitimate option. They can really help in some cases. There are many options, and getting the right one and the right dose is also a process of trial and error. It is not morally wrong to take medication for this condition any more than it is for something like diabetes. If it helps, then it's good.

A lot of people need the medication for a while to get their feet under them (to get out of the depths of the pit), then they stop taking it once they don't need it any more. There are plenty of horror stories about anti-depressants, but there are also plenty of success stories. If you try other things and the depression continues to linger, I would suggest considering meds. But over the long term I think it's probably best if you don't need them (but anyone who does should take them).

So with all those options, you will probably find that treating depression is a process--one that may take a while. The good news is that there is help. There is every reason to believe that you can get back to feeling normal again. Good luck on your journey out of the darkness. I promise there is still light out there somewhere. You just need to find it again.