Sometimes real, clinical depression can only be helped by professionals. Talking to someone might help short term but without fixing the underlying problem it will keep coming back.
Often there is a chemical imbalance that will not correct itself without medication. If you feel like you are suffering from chronic depression, contact a professional. Time is too precious to not take care of yourself.
I heard about that chemical imbalance but what exactly is that chemical that causing it?
Low seratonin levels have been linked to depression for a long time, but it isn't as simple as that. A lot of research shows that damaged neural pathways are a main symptom behind clinical depression. This means that behaviorial therapy can lessen the effects of depression.
As you can imagine it is very complex and nothing is certain-- we're talking about the human brain here.
The worst part of all of this is that really good therapists are expensive and probably harder to find than doctors that just want to put you on meds.
If you have depression (my mom and sister are both diagnosed and my mom is bipolar as well) do yourself a favor and see someone now. Don't let life kick you in the balls for 10 more years before you decide to help yourself.