If you think that you might be experiencing depression, you're probably asking yourself: will depression go on its own?

It's a natural question to wonder. Especially, if you've noticed big but gradual changes in your life and mindset.

Ones that you're now realizing are because of depression. It's very human to want to solve a problem instantly.

It's even more human to realize there's a problem, but to also think that if you ignore it that it will just go away.

While treatment is always the best option, there are steps you can take to lessen your depression. 

And, these can be baby steps you can take to get you ready to seek treatment and get your life back.

Step #1: Acceptance

The first step is accepting that you have depression and depression won't go on it's own. 

It can be a difficult thing for people to acknowledge because there is often a stigma attached to having depression. 

It might make you feel like a failure, or hopeless, or faulty in some way.

You should know that it's not you - it's the depression making you think that way. 

Feelings of self-blame are highly prominent characteristics of people who suffer from depression. 

Remember that it's not your fault.

A lot of people feel like seeking help will "make the depression real" and hope that depression will go on its own.

This will only cause your symptoms to worsen over time.

Accepting that you have depression is the first step to making it go away. 

Step #2: Identifying Symptoms

Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of depression result in discouraging you from getting help. 

The feelings, attitudes, physical changes, and effects of depression all discourage one from seeking treatment.

This is why accepting that you have depression is important.

It's also important to identify the symptoms that might be tricking you into thinking the depression will go on its own.

The feelings most commonly associated with depression are persistent hopelessness and despair. 

Both of these feelings might contribute to your desire to see your depression go on it's own. 

You might not feel like there's hope for you. But, there is. 

Remember, that when you feel this way, it is the depression talking.

Physical changes such as sleep disturbances, weight gain from comfort eating, and an increase in apathy all also contribute to the cycle of not seeking help. 

But, don't let your negative feelings about these changes prevent you from making the changes that you need to make.

Understanding how depression itself plays into your hesitancy to seek help is a good first step to giving up on letting depression go on its own.

Step #3: Positive Changes

Now you've accepted that depression won't go on its own and you understand how depression is feeding into your hesitance to seek treatment. 

It's now time to look at some small positive changes you can make. 

Seeing incremental improvements might give you the motivation and strength to seek more formal treatment. 

It will also convince you that depression won't go on its own.

Mindfulness and meditation are small steps you can take right now to feel better. 

Mindfulness is about being aware of yourself and your surroundings. 

People with depression might feel like they've emotionally and physically "dropped out" of their lives. 

Mindfulness and meditation can help you start feeling your way back in.

Practice mindfulness by paying attention more while doing things. 

Depression can make you space out or have trouble focusing. 

Small intentional moments of mindfulness can remind you how wonderful life will feel on the other side.

Meditation is useful for re-training the mind and your thoughts. 

Practice not attaching to your thoughts by reminding yourself, "I am not my thoughts." 

This can help you get perspective on the voice of depression in your head telling you things are bad.

Another positive change you can make can subdue some of the physical effects of depression mentioned above.

Increasing your daily exercise amount - even just by a few minutes! - can help break you out of the lost motivation and apathy loop. 

Step #4: Seeking Treatment

Hopefully, these small changes will help you make the most important one: seeking treatment. 

Depression won't go away on it's own. 

And, while taking meaningful steps can lessen the symptoms of your depression, it won't cure it.

Seeking professional help is the most important thing you can do for yourself. 

This is why it might feel scary at first. 

But, don't worry. By seeking help, you're ensuring that your depression is as bad as it will ever get. 

That it won't have the chance to worsen or to make permanent changes to your body, your mind, and your life.

You can't ignore depression hoping that it will go away. 

You can't pretend that it doesn't exist. 

And, you can't expect depression to go on its own. 

In fact, untreated depression can worsen over time. 

And, long-term bouts of depression have been shown to cause permanent changes to the body and the mind.

This means that treating your depression is critical for getting rid of your depression. 

But, maybe you're still adjusting to the idea that you have depression and are hesitant to seek formal treatment

Conclusion

Now, you know the answer to will depression go on its own. 

This should give you the power to start gently moving yourself toward getting better. 

There is no instant cure for depression and accepting this is important. 

Start making the positive changes and start seeking treatment: this will be what finally makes your depression go away.