One of the best steps you can do at the beginning on your struggle is talking to someone! Personally I found this the hardest step to make. It took me over a year to open up about my feelings because I had convinced myself no one would believe me and I was making a mountain out of a mole hill. I would punish myself for not being able to cope with these negative emotions, and being weak. I thought I was alone.
This could not have been further from the truth. The strength that has to be found from within to try and continue with daily life, even when you feel close to tears, proves that is the behaviour of a strong individual. By just trying, there doesn't have to be success, shows strength.
Turning to someone trust worthy and saying "I feel down today" is of paramount importance, and the relief when you're believed (because they WILL believe you) is soothing on its own. After I confided in my mother, I felt like a massive weight had been lifted - one that was holding me down. It took over a year, but one of the best decisions I made.
The trustworthy person can be anyone you feel comfortable with: A teacher, friend, parent or doctor.
If you're able to approach your GP as the trustworthy person that is brilliant! However if they weren't this is not an issue. The thought of going to the doctors terrified me - why would my GP, who I hardly ever see, want to help me? Yet again I had an irrational belief. GPs are there to help and to listen.
It took over a year to tell my mum I am depressed. I then took a month for her to convince me to go to one of the appointment she had made for me to see my GP. The pivotal moment was when I went to my dentist appointment, and couldn't hold in my tears. I no longer could master the will to try.
During that first appointment I broke down and cried.
It is hard to cope with depression. It is not just feeling sad for a limited amount of time, it is on going. It is feeling sad, guilty because you're feeling sad, weak because you believe there is nothing you can do, anxious by always assuming the worst and isolated - even though you try to be 'normal' and have a 'normal' day it doesn't quite work.
What I have been learning through my journey is that everyone get sad therefore there is nothing to feel ashamed or guilty about. The majority of the population will need help at some point in their lives, this could be financially, mentally or physically; does not make you weak. Everyone has felt fear, everyone is anxious about something. Additionally it is not logical to be isolated for not being 'normal', as there is no rule book. 'Normal' does not exist.
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