1. Depression can strike suddenly and without any warning.

You can sometimes tell when you're coming down with the flu or a cold. You start feeling feverish or achy. Unfortunately, with depression the symptoms may not be that clear and can develop gradually, even when you're undergoing treatment.

2. There are horrible physical symptoms that come with depression.

Although fatigue is one of the symptoms of depression, there are many more than feel just as bad, if not worse, such as migraines, joint pain, digestive problems (bloating, constipation, irritable bowels, and nausea), chest pain, and back pain.

3. Antidepressants can take a long time to work.

Antidepressants don't work for everyone, and you may have to try different ones before you get the right one. Some patients start to feel less depressed after two weeks, but for some it can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to start working.

4. There are usually side effects from using antidepressants.

Some side effects include jitteriness, weird dreams, dry mouth, diarrhea, decreased sexual desire, weight gain, insomnia, increased anxiousness, headaches, and tremors or dizziness. Imagine going through months of side effects, only to have to change to a different antidepressant and start all over again.

5. Getting off antidepressants can be extremely difficult. 

When antidepressants that affect the brain's chemistry are suddenly stopped, people may experience discontinuation symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, ataxia (problems with muscle coordination), tingling or pricking of the skin, numbness, electric-shock-like-symptoms, anorexia, sweating, vomiting, irritability, agitation, and nightmares.

6. It's possible to reduce chances of having a relapse.
You can reduce the risk of another episode by not taking on too much, exercising, eating healthy, having a positive attitude, and taking care of your mental and physical health.