Sadgirlygirl – I don’t know if it’s too late to add to this, but I thought I’d add just in case it’s still relevant.
First of all, going to get medical help depends on whether depression is a regular thing with you and/or if it is triggered by events or can happen without cause, not to mention that severity plays a role as well.
Assuming, base on the info you gave, that you are not suffering major depression, but rather want to know how to deal with normal depression based on the Torah, here are some suggestion what to look up.
Orchos Tzadikim – Shaar Simcha and Shaar Daagah
Pele Yoetz – Atzvut and Simcha (Interesting enough he ends Atzvut by talking about those who suffer from chronic depression and he states that books are not enough to help them and that they “need” to take medication. Here you have proof that taking medicine for such conditions is a Torah requirement and nothing to be ashamed of for those that need. Of course, proper evaluation is needed.)
Gateway to Happiness, R. Pliskin – you may need to turn to a Torah library to get this as I’m not sure if it is still in print. Excellent Sefer in English.
WITH THAT SAID I THINK YOU BROUGHT OUT A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR RABBANIM TO START TALKING ABOUT. I SEE NO REASON WHY RABBANIM SHOULD NOT START TEACHING THESE TOPICS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. PERHAPS PEOPLE SHOULD START REQUESTING FROM RESPECTED SPEAKERS TO START ADDING THIS TO THEIR LECTURES.
THANKS Sadgirlygirl FOR BRING UP THE TOPIC!!!
🙂