[Onward2wards]

You really have to know your enemy when it comes to depressed moods.

I've realized that depression isn't just being overwhelmed by negative thoughts (more precisely, discouraging thoughts about negative things). A lot of pop-psych type articles seem to imply that it is. If I were to delete every negative thought in my mind when depressed (anxiety often makes an appearance there too, for me) I realized ... wait, there's nothing there ... where did all the POSITIVE thoughts go? because ... well, there aren't any. Confidence? Ambition? Optimism? Planning for rewarding things? Zip. Nada. Suddenly conspicuous by their absence.

Another thing that comes to mind is the behavioral aspects of depression. I tend to "do" depression, as if it's an active process. Shoulders holding in tension and hunched, face firmly staring at the ground, "couch potato mode" activated. Effort? Hahaha what's that, again? I don't like moving. You can't make me, nyah nyah.

Perhaps these factors are why deliberately thinking about and engaging in things normally enjoyed, and staying physically active, are suggested as anti-depressive methods.

[IrisBloom]

I picture it more a a mist or net that settles over your brain in general then the negative thoughts happen, not all of them conscious thoughts. Of course you can cause yourself to become depressed by thinking about something depressing, but I don't believe this causes long term depression unless you let it take over your thinking. Depression can be caused by many things. Anyone who says they have the answers is probably trying to sell snake oil. I believe I have had several "varieties" of depression in my lifetime. Some are disabling, some not. But all came on against my will.

I hope you find relief soon.

[Fizzyo]

I agree there is no easy answer to depression. Some things you describe hold some truth, particularly in mild to moderate depression, but it's usually more complicated than that.

I hope you find something that helps you, even if it's not a "cure"

Depression is a complicated disorder. It can either cause you constant sadness that's totally abnormal but accepted by the person him-/herself or it's so severe to the point that the person smiles all the way up to his/her grave. There are also physical factors to depression that some people seem to miss out on despite the typical I'm-so-sad persona of a depressed individual :/