The label(s) hurt me more in the beginning. Fear more than anything. But once I took a deep breath, I realized they (the doctors) only do it so they can try to understand us. As you're right. Most of them will never get it (unless they have the same diagnosis... and you never know, they might - depression, after all, does not discriminate.. nor do many other mental illnesses). It's not the label that scares me now. Now what scares me most is the fear that I'm faking it. Which is strange, because I know these emotions are real. That doesn't stop me from thinking that I don't 'fit in'. That I don't belong to the 'groups' I've been put in.

I had a friend that suggested I was faking it. She was trying to help in her own way, because it all confuses her. But I don't think she realized how much damage she did by suggesting it. Now, I feel even more constantly like I'm not like others in these 'groups'.

People on the outside really don't understand. And I don't want to wish they did, because that would mean wishing this pain on them and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.