This sort of person will always sabotage their happiness, because deep down they suspect they don't deserve it. Don't neglect your own needs Depression can also be summoned by persistently ignoring your needs. Cooperstein cites an example of a PhD student who finished his dissertation and then committed suicide. First he ignored his emotional needs in order to complete his PhD, becoming depressed in the process, and then he ignored his depression in order to finish. When he did, the whole torrent of dissatisfaction washed over him, ultimately drowning him.
Adults usually try to ward off their depression, though their attempts are often unconscious.
One person may try to deal with depression by going on spending sprees. In essence, they're trying to run ahead of their depression. Someone else may try to offset its effects by comfort eating. The good news is that with treatment, nearly 80 percent of people with depression show an improvement in their symptoms within four to six weeks of beginning medication, psychotherapy, attending support groups or a combination. Despite its high treatment success rate, however, nearly two out of three people suffering with depression do not actively seek or receive proper treatment.