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Modern society helps make more reasons to be depressed. Luckily, you will find more effective ways to do something about it nowadays too. But it really is infuriating when someone believes you should just have the ability to snap out of it – as if you might be just having a stomach ache or something.

And then there are folks – like my co-worker, Darren, who are overly-peppy and optimistic. It’s funny, he reminds me of that character on the Simpsons called “Ned Flanders,” and I’d chuckle to myself when I’d think of that similarity.

When is a person thought to be “clinically depressed?” Clinical depression has a lengthy list of symptoms, but quickly it basically indicates you feel so down for a minimum of two weeks that you can’t accomplish the things you usually do.

As you likely already understand, depression can be greatly different for different people. But MDD or “Major Depressive Disorder” is the more severe kind of depression. But MDD is not a condition that comes on abruptly. No, it evolves over time, so don’t allow yourself to deteriorate to that level without getting support first.

But a short summary of the standard symptoms of depression include: Sleeping too long or not long enough just about every night. Over-eating or under-eating on a regular basis. Low energy, the feeling of being fatigued all the time. Other symptoms that also show up with the others are various inexplicable conditions like stomachaches or headaches.

So what’s the best way to deal with depression most effectively? The solution is with a combo of both outside help and self-help. Let’s check out both below:

External Help: The outside help should really start with a search for a qualified health professional in the town – someone who is schooled and experienced in dealing with depression. Ideally, this person can make recommendations to you with an open mind and not always default to either medication or always default to the same ‘touchy-feely’ alternative treatment. For example, some orthopedic surgeons always recommend surgery because that is what they are trained in, when in reality the better alternative is physical therapy.

…So what you’d want to do is ask about a ‘depression doctor’s’ treatment options. Which ones has he or she has used in the past year on patients? Because remember that often it’s a combination of therapies that ends up being the most effective for people.

Self-Help Options: This one’s easy – Simply reading self-help books and applying what you’ve read! But keep in mind that even the best self-help book on defeating depression will not work without your participation. Self-help books have proven to be better in many cases than ‘professional’ counseling, but only with the willing and (somewhat) enthusiastic participation of the reader.

Lasting and permanent help from SRI’s (for example) alone rarely cure a person of MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). There are exceptions, but usually a “cure” only happens when the patient decides he or she is going to take an active role in their own recovery.

Waiting for a pill to magically fix ALL of life’s problems doesn’t exist, but unfortunately many depressed persons hold out hope for one. But the sooner they dig in and start to look at their treatment options with an open mind, the sooner they will find something that works and works well. Being proactive in your recovery will always beat being passive – waiting for something to happen.

Charles’s incredible survival of a suicide attempt when he was just 16 was the inspiration for a controversial booktitled “Outsmart Your Depression By Learning More About Yourself: A Step-By-Step Guide With Extraordinary Case Studies.” To discover more about how to deal with depression go to his site at http://dealwithdepression.org/