Anger

Anger and depression are often related.  Some theories say that depression is anger turned inward.  Anger is unacceptable in some families.  If this was the case in your family, you may have learned to submerge your anger and you may be more susceptible to depression now.

Many people feel poisoned by their anger, and some create pain and conflict in their lives by acting on their anger.  I differ from many people who specialize in anger in that I don't think "management" is the most useful tool.  I believe strongly that you can change dramatically by observing and learning about yourself from your anger; and by learning to soothe yourself so you can choose not to respond in anger.  Self-awareness and compassionate self-reflection are far more powerful tools to quench the fire of your anger than counting to ten to "manage" yourself can ever be. 

You may find that when you are aware of feeling angry, you don't feel depressed.  Practice getting angry at someone or something that isn't close at hand, and see if you feel more energized and less depressed.  Of course, you can't stomp around all day in a rage, but it helps to really have the physical experience of feeling the depression vanish as you get angry.