I’ll try to sum up what I know about the topic of depression. If you have serious depression where you can’t function or are feeling very low and at risk of harming yourself – its best to seek professional help. Psychologists and medication may be a good tool to help someone get unstuck from a difficult place.

Aside from that, the best things I know to treat depression are: 1) meditation 2) exercise, nutrition 3) therapy (and perhaps this includes good friends and family)

Ajahn Brahm gives a very good talk on the causes of depression here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N_jjY7W_fs

I think a very good way of describing depression is “a lack of energy”… maybe its because you’ve expended yourself a lot in some effort and it may not be going your way, or there’s some negative thought patterns that have really been bringing you down. All of this can leave you feel exhausted and tending to feel more negative feelings.

For me, I’ve found meditation very helpful to re-energize myself by trying to bring back my attention to the moment, usually by trying to observe my breath or the feelings that I’m feeling at the time. Trying to be aware of the current moment, without trying to change anything. I think its kind of like an act of letting go, and just being kind to yourself, and not feeling the need to change anything in the moment. When I’ve felt very exhausted and depressed, after trying to bring my attention back to the moment, to let go of the thoughts on my mind, I’ve found afterwards I felt more energized and less in a state of worry or discontent.

Aside from meditation I try to setup my life so that I associate with more positive things – not be negative about myself or the world, read and do inspiring things to improve myself, and try to appreciate the beauty of life more. Eating well, connecting with others, and being of service to others are all great ways to feel good and fulfilled.

Meditation can uncover some unpleasant feelings, but I think it can be a beneficial process to begin to look deeper into yourself.

Since your situation is somewhat prolonged, I think its good that you’re trying to seek some help and try different things. I had depression and was also meditation “seriously” for a number of years, but found that I was also still suffering quite severely with anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, among other symptoms. So I had gotten a bit stuck and found the most effective thing is to really look at my situation in many ways, try and get help and come out of the situation.

Buddhism isn’t about making yourself suffer, its about finding out about yourself more and the way to be truly happy.

I’m going to go and exercise 😉 but there’s some food for thought!