I have several bad ones myself. The one thing leading to another may be habits that worsen your depression. They say habit is very powerful and changing them is important to changing your mood. While I know that is important on an intellectual level, I struggle with implementing it. Then there is the fact you get used to feeling a certain way, and it can be frightening to feel differently.

I skip a lot of posts on DU, I skip a lot of posts on the news sites I go to, I skip articles in our local paper.

I'm aware of the things that will push me into the downward spiral and I avoid them.

Nothing wrong with that, especially when it's things I cannot possibly change.

When I get depressed or angry about what is happening in the world, I focus on myself and my family. It's hard to do much anyway if you'd like to try to change the way things are and you are not feeling healthy. For example, you probably wouldn't make the best suicide hotline counselor if you are also clinically depressed. It would be hard to work at a soup kitchen if you are starving. You're not going to introduce sanity to schizophrenics if you are psychotic.

So make yourself whole and healthy. Take care of your personal finances and your home. Make sure everything at home is secure. Maybe then you'll feel like you're in a better position to handle the rest of the world.