It takes great courage to admit you have depression.

Because of the stigma of depression, many people think that seeking help implies some sort of personal lack--a lack that should be overcome by strength, fortitude, or gumption. This is not the case.
Seeking help for an illness (any illness) does not imply a lack of mental, physical, emotional, or moral character.
To the contrary, it takes great courage to admit something may be wrong. It is a sign of deep wisdom to consult professionals, seeking their advice and direction.
A common symptom of depression, as voiced by Hamlet: "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world!"
The common symptom of this disease is denial or lack of awareness.

Research shows that almost 15 million South African adults in any given year have a major depressive disorder. And six million  have another mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychotic disorders. Yet a full 50% of people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia don't believe they are ill and resist seeking help

The Three Primary Types of Depression

There are three primary forms of depression.
Major Depression. Like the flu, major depression has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Unlike the flu, major depressions often last for months. Left untreated, they tend to reoccur. 
Chronic Depression. Chronic depression is a low-grade, long-term depression that can go on for years. Long-term, low-grade depression is also known as dysthymia. dys, meaning disorder, and thymia for mood. Dysthymia, then, is a disorder of one's mood.
Manic-Depression. Here the lows of depression can alternate with days or weeks of maniaextreme elation, unreasonably grandiose thoughts, and inappropriate, sometimes destructive actions. This is also known as bipolar depression, because the manic-depressive person fluctuates from one emotional pole (down) to the opposite pole (up) in unpredictable, rapid swings. (By contrast, major depression is unipolar--it focuses on only one pole: down.)


The Symptoms of Depression

• Persistent sad or "empty" mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being  "slowed down"
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning waking, or oversleeping)
• Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain)
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
• Excessive crying

Symptoms of Mania can include

• Excessively "high" mood
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Increased energy and activity
• Decreased need for sleep
• Increased talking, moving, and sexual activity
• Turn excessively to alcohol,  drugs or other addictive substances
• Grandiose notions
• Being easily distracted
• Disturbed ability to make decisions