Hi - i think you have courage to face the truth for yourself, even if your friends don't quite understand. I think it's difficult, really, for people who don't have depression to know what it is like. It is a problem people with depression feel in general - so perhaps forgive your friend for not knowing. Only those who have had it & have gone through can understand. Sometimes even well meaning friends try to understand but still can't if they've never been through it. I've probably even been guilty of it myself I'm sure.

I'm now closer to 40 and I'm just realising for myself that I've probably suffered from dysthymia all my life too but just put it down to who I am. I cope very well in my outside life normally but have always had this underlying sense of sadness & hopelessness that I keep at bay by keeping busy. I am relieved to know this about myself & to ackonwledge this.. because only when you are looking at the truth of what is, can you work with what you have & do something about it if you want & enetertain the possibility of a different way of being.

Stay strong & stay connected.