I agree frightenedrabbit...I've been severely depressed where there was no option left except ect. I had 25+ in 96 & 97. But mostly I'm living with short term memory loss and I tend to hibernate from people and situations. But this last time of depression I was reading tweets and someone wrote "it's not what you see but how you see it". I was talking myself deeper and deeper into depression and I had enough so I took it to heart..I've been fine..not so depressed..but maybe hypomania is keeping me up some well most everynight I get up at 4am and can't go back to sleep. My mind is in a constant state of overthinking.
But when people ask me where I've been..I tell them my bipolar depression has reared it's ugly head but doing ok for the time being. I think honesty is the best policy. I have a friend at church that felt like she could trust me enough to tell me about her depression bouts. I do it bc I know somewhere out there someone is going through the same thing and it's feels like they're not so alone after all. Talk abiut it. Be upfront and honest. If they truly care for you..you will endear yourself to them. Not all people are judgemental mental about mental health issues. It doesn't make you weak just vulnerable. Hope all goes well with your friend. If she understands she will have a willing ear and an open heart. Good luck. <3

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