Overcoming serious depression is like trying to crawl out of a slippery trench. Progress is slow and it’s super easy to slide back down to the bottom. If you’ve ever been in a rut that you can’t seem to escape, consider the following possible reasons why you’re still stuck.

1. You’re not being honest with yourself.

Often depression comes from something repressed- whether it be anger, loneliness or another unresolved emotion. Consider whether you are avoiding doing something that must be done, or saying something that must be said.

2. You haven’t defined your personal purpose or goals.

In this case, you’re a floater. Maybe you’re apathetic, or maybe you’re just having trouble determining what you want. The only thing you can do is stop procrastinating and start taking definitive steps to figure it out.

3. You spend more time with cats than people.

Like many species, humans require socialization. Interaction with others keeps us from becoming neurotic and detached from reality. Yes, it may be comforting to collect furry friends of another species, but what we really need is communication with our own.

4. You still spend time around negative people.

You can makes strides in the right direction, but if you are surrounded by negative people, they will hold you back from success. It’s better to spend time around your peers or better yet, people who are more successful than you. Their positive habits will rub off on you.

5. You don’t know what you truly enjoy doing.

Sometimes we don’t know ourselves well enough. People think they want something, only to achieve it and realize it’s not what it seems. Other times, we find happiness in things we never would’ve imagined.

6. You aren’t doing anything to boost your self-esteem.

Low self-esteem and depression almost always go hand-in-hand. Things that will increase your self-esteem include exercise, healthy eating and other uplifting routine activities.

7. Your financial situation is too stressful.

This is something that is not entirely in our control. However, there are ways to work on the issue. Furthering your education or applying for new jobs is a start. For some it may help to think about downsizing and living within their means to reduce stress.

8. Your living situation is too stressful.

Fact: Bad roommates don’t go away on their own, and they don’t change. You have to get out of these scenarios, even if it means inconveniencing yourself in the short term. This applies to partners, family members and anyone who is clearly not going to change their ways.

9. You are addicted to something.

Many people laugh off seemingly minor addictions like sugar, caffeine or cigarettes. However, any substance can alter your mood and quickly become excessive. If you find yourself needing a substance daily in order to avoid agitation or physical symptoms, it is likely preventing you from being happy.

10. You’ve been mistreated.

For some, depression will stem from long-term mistreatment. If you’re still depressed after this, you must realize that you are not at fault. Getting away from these people permanently and receiving therapy will help you forget their hurtful influence.

11. You maintain bad habits.

Some experts believe depression is nothing more than a bad habit. If you find yourself consistently dating the wrong people, getting into unnecessary fights or losing jobs, you should make a conscious effort to curb your habits. Learn to stop sabotaging yourself.

12. You’re still in mourning.

Some people develop depression after losing someone or experiencing something catastrophic. If you find yourself depressed well after the event, you should talk things out with a friend or a doctor. You may need to work through the shock with someone else’s help.

13. You subconsciously don’t want to get better.

This may sound unlikely, but psychologists suggest that people will stay in harmful situations if they are afraid of what comes with the solution. Would getting over your depression mean you had to let go of something? Maybe you would need to begin something you feel you are not ready for.

14. You are missing one of your basic needs.

Everyone has different and specific needs. Many times it takes us years to even become aware of our personal needs. If something doesn’t feel quite right, but you can’t put your finger on it, consider what component might be missing from your life.

15. You are living how others want you to live.

One surefire route to depression is following what we think we ought to do – or what others tell us we must do. If you’ve been told that you must live a certain way, you need to build the backbone to start telling people no. Until then, you’re allowing others to limit you.