Depressed Dear,

You have some really good advice here. I just wanted to add that we all support each other, and we carry each other through some of the darkest days. Now that you are a member of the psychcentral family that includes helping you too.

Never just act happy. That will lead to an overload and they aren't good. If people ask how you are, tell them you're feeling unwell at the moment. You don't have to tell them anything else. But if you tell them you're unwell, they will be more considerate.

Many people react to mental illness negatively, but have all the compassion in the world for someone with a physical illness they can see. They don't realise that they are one and the same. They don't get that the mental illness has a terrible physical affect.

Hang in there and push through every day. I do know how hard it is, and I do know how long the road looks. But every single step gets you further along that road and closer to feeling better, even if you can't feel it right at this moment,

((((hugs))))
Rhiannon