This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Life is never the same every day. All of us go through ups and downs, and sometimes the low moments are heavier than we expect. Depression is one of the most painful of these. It does not only take away your smile; it affects your body, your thoughts, and your relationships. Everyone experiences it differently. Some people feel numb and cannot think clearly. Some feel so exhausted that even getting out of bed seems impossible. Others withdraw from the people closest to them. First, understand this: depression is a real condition, not a weakness or a lack of willpower. If you are going through it, you are not failing. You are facing something difficult, and there are ways to move forward. While recovering, you may feel you have lost everything. But in many cases, people rebuild themselves and come out of this period with more strength and self-awareness than before. The st...