Depression

Depression is a different beast for so many different people.

For some people, it is a lifelong thing. It cannot be cured so much as managed. Please keep this in mind as you start your journey - a lot of it is going to be learning how to continue to live with yourself.

Exercise and a healthful diet are tools in a toolbox to help manage depressive episodes - consider also meditation/yoga, hobbies that distract your mind while still encouraging a sense of productivity, and committing to a self-care routine (eg, a simple checklist of daily things you need to do - like "wash your face" or "make your bed;" just don't let it get too long, because looking at a long list of incomplete tasks on days where getting out of bed is an achievement in and of itself is going to be more overwhelming than it will be helpful).

Also have a talk with your doctor about your medications. We tend to reach for pharmaceuticals first in the West, but there is a reason for it - they are often very effective. If you don't want to take them or you want to try other things first, that is absolutely your call, but your doctor needs to be informed so that he or she has his or her own toolbox in place to help you manage your depression. They will be critical in helping you battle this beast; if you don't like your current doc, if they aren't open to discussion, or if you're feeling ignored, then the first thing you need to do is to find a new doctor.

But also don't write off medications simply because they're medications. There's a lot of stigma still associated with taking meds for depression (even, and sometimes especially, on health-centric websites), but they are effective. It can take a while to find a good medication/(s)/dose (years, sometimes), but finding the right ones can be life changing, especially for folks with suicidal tendencies, or who suffer with anxiety disorders alongside depression.

Be aware, too, that beginning new medications typically makes things worse before it makes them better, and that stopping medications cold turkey can make it acutely very, very bad (10/10 on your scale).

Good luck and fortitude as you begin this battle. It isn't easy, but it is always worth it.

Diet and exercise will help, but in my experience they're no substitute for medication and therapy. I've only been on antidepressants for half a year, after leaving my issues untreated for over a decade. The meds allowed me to do more to help my own recovery than I would have otherwise, without them I would not have been able to do helpful things like exercise regularly or care enough about myself to eat well.

Bear in mind that antidepressants can take several weeks to start working, so if you dont feel different right away, dont worry. I would give them a chance, at any rate, and if you dont like them or they dont work for you discuss it with your doctor.

Exercise-wise, I would say anything you enjoy, but I've heard of the benefits of exercising outside in nature. Also, working out with a buddy or group might make work outs more enjoyable and harder to skip, as I know depression can make motivation very hard.