Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

There are a lot of users here who have lots of time in at DS, they are also excellent resources for the ins and outs of this site!
Please feel free to post as you desire and reply to other posts. There are a lot of opinions here, and it has been my experience that the best way to deal with that is to know that there is not one single plan that will work for everybody. So take what works and disregard the rest!
It is my personal belief that depression and anxiety can be caused by a lot of different things. I believe, and many here also believe, that therapy is a great place to start. A good professional who is compatible with you can help guide you from where you are to where you want to be.
Be warned: there are therapists who exist to do little more than get people on medication. Medications is a very personal decision, and giving a new person in your life the power to make that decision for you is, IMHO, a bad idea.
If your depression or other issues are caused by "brain chemistry" then odds are high (again my opinion) that you will need medication to manage your condition. If your issues are not caused by "brain chemistry" then medication may not help, or it may only serve as a temporary aid much like a cast for a person with a broken arm.
Well, I hope I have not rambled on too much.
Gentle hugs, and welcome to DS!