[mad=dog]

I have recently broken out of a four year hell with low self esteem and emotional rollercoaster-ride. It was induced by nearly dying and that in turn started a destructive circle. There is no wonder-cure against depression - otherwise it wouldn't be one of the most frequent conditions in the Western world - but I might be able to offer some advice. In order:

1) Be honest to yourself. Don't try to fool yourself into believing everything is going to work out. The first step to a solution is identifying the problem. Often (as in my case) the thing that induced the depression is not the same thing as whatever keeps it alive.

2) Be honest to your surroundings. I never told anyone until it had driven me into the fringes of dispair after three years. Not even my closest. You simply don't want to trouble the ones you love so you tell them what they want to hear. That creates a negative environment - because believe it or not, they can feel these things.

3) Seek assistence if you cannot overcome it. A shrink cannot cure you. Mine couldn't at least. But he or she can be a great help for you to cure yourself.

4) Once it's over - don't "put it behind you". Something started this and fueled it. Identify it. Learn from it. Work with it. Or ultimately avoid it.

A depression is a highly personal matter. I am not sure how much this can help you.