[slaxman]

There is major difference with being depressed and having clinical depression. I have been fighting the latter for the last few years and I can vouch for there being no cause.

Example: I was with my extended family members in mountains of coffee plantations enjoying a vacation. There was no internet connection and thus nothing to disturb me. We were all (over 20 of us) having a great time. We were playing a game of cricket, where during the game I had a depression attack and almost collapsed on the ground. There was nothing there to upset me at all.

This is just one example. I have faced many more in a similar manner.

There is one thing for sure. Community support helps you fight depression very well. I am a member of a Buddhist group and their encouragement and support has really help me fight it.

[serpix]

I have dropped all anxiety medication after starting a very regular and strict meditation routine. today I was in a large meeting/workshop with mostly unknown (to me) people. This would previously have caused major anxiety symptoms, possibly even an full blown panic attack hours ahead of the meeting or during.

Yet I felt happy and energized by just being with these people and being mindful at the same time. Any racing thought quickly identified and dismissed. Never experienced anything like this before. I now truly think anxiety can be blown to shreds by applying what you learn in meditation in your daily life.