I try to explain that it's like being stuck in a nightmare. All of the awful feelings, the hopelessness, the fear; all the terrible things you say to yourself - they all feel completely real and true. You can't just "wake up," or "pull yourself together." It's only when the meds kick in, life turns around a bit, and you elevate out of the pit that you can look back and see some of the bull you were buying when you were down at the deepest points.