In today’s world, it is very common to come across a young individual that has some kind of depression. It is also common to find that individual with loved ones that do not understand what they are going through. When looking up depression, the definition is listed under "feelings of severe despondency and dejection." But depression is so much more than that.

Depression affects the mind, the soul and the body. There are feelings of sadness, feelings of loss, feelings of guilt and feelings of anger. Individuals wonder constantly what they did to deserve this kind of punishment, and if, or how, it can be fixed. The body grows weak, despondent and lost. Sometimes a person gains a lot of weight, and sometimes they lose weight and grow into someone that is totally unrecognizable.

It is important to remember that while depression can leave a person feeling lost.. there are also the small spurts of happiness. Giggles, laughter, and smiles can go a long way to help a person mentally, and socially. There are times when hope comes about and a person knows that they can overcome and be happy once again. They know that the depression will not overcome them, and someday, even if it is far in the future, life will be okay and will return to "normal," while pushing the feelings down so that they can operate at a regular level.

Loved ones can help in a big way. Do not say that this is just a state and that it will go away... because sometimes it doesn’t. Do not walk away and leave your people to deal with it on their own, because having loved ones there reminds a person that someone cares and that in the end, it might just be okay. Do not say that a person simply needs to get over everything ‘in their mind’ because it is not "in their mind." The depression is real and it is happening right now, whether or not you want to accept that fact.

The truth is that depression sucks. It’s scary and too much to even think about sometimes. But people get made to be stronger, tougher, and ready for whatever the future brings to them in terms of their mental stability. Life will be okay. Be hopeful, be strong and above all, be you.