What does being depressed feel like?

Being depressed can feel like an invisible, relentless weight on one's shoulders. It can mimic physical pain with feelings of emptiness and exhaustion that rarely dissipate. It can manifest itself as a constant inability to move forward due to a lack of motivation for anything, be it work or play. It creates negative thought patterns that become impossible to break because it’s hard to focus long enough on good thoughts when depression is so oppressive and omnipresent.

Depression sometimes leads one to feeling helpless, hopeless and isolated because it causes them to avoid social situations out of shame or fear they will be judged by others - making the downward spiral even more difficult. The truth is that while those who are suffering from depression may not want help or support in managing their condition, they do need it in order gain some control over their life again and get back on track emotionally.