What Is Depression? It’s Like a Virus and It’s Killing Us

In an age where we can download the news and watch the videos and text that our doctors tell us to read, depression is often relegated to the fringes.

Depression is not a disease, it’s a mental illness, said Dr. Jonathan Shapiro, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and an expert on mental health and disease prevention. 

“It’s very much like a virus,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro also said that many of the symptoms of depression may not be obvious at first. “

If you have a bad day or if you have an illness that is causing a lot of stress or anxiety, it can cause depression.” 

Shapiro also said that many of the symptoms of depression may not be obvious at first.

He described the symptoms as: “a sense of hopelessness, a sense of emptiness, a feeling of being abandoned, a loss of self, and depression is the most severe of all of those.” 

It can be hard to see that you are depressed and can sometimes feel ashamed for feeling depressed, Shapiro said, even if you’re not. 

But when you think about it, depression isn’t as bad as it sounds.

It’s not as dangerous as it might seem, and you shouldn’t try to hide from it, Shapiro noted. 

People who have depression may experience some symptoms such as feeling sad or anxious about the future or about family members.

But they don’t always have symptoms, and they don�t necessarily have to go through the motions of seeking help, Shapiro added.

“You just have to know what to do about it,” Shapiro told Fox News. 

Dr. Jonathan K. Shapiro, an expert in mental health at the university of California.

(Source: Shutterstock) If you’re depressed, here are some things you can do to fight it:If you don’t feel like you�re in control of your emotions, get help.

Talk to a mental health professional about how you�ve been feeling, Shapiro advised. 

Ask someone who has depression for help, he said.

If they�re available, seek out them. 

Take a mental wellness class. 

Stay active.

Work out or train to improve your mood, exercise regularly and eat healthy. 

Have a supportive relationship with your therapist, Shapiro suggested. 

Be aware of your symptoms and your mood and treat them with love and compassion. 

Keep your depression under control, Shapiro stressed. 

Do not try to treat yourself with antidepressants, but seek help if you need it.

Get professional help.

Call your local mental health center for help and get help if necessary.

If you�d like to get help for depression, check out our Depression Treatment Center for a list of resources.