It is very difficult because people who don't have it just don't understand. Their first reaction is to want to fix you. Just think positive thoughts, happiness is a choice, blah blah blah.

After 20 years I pretty much tell everyone if it comes up. My whole family knows. Some have learned a lot about it and have learned how to be helpful. Some it has been a battle with. I was recently getting my hair cut and somehow in idle chit chat about my life I told her I suffered from depression. To my surprise she told me that she did too. So you never know. I have spent countless hours arguing with friends and family about what depression really is and what it is like.

This is hard but maybe if you can express to them what you need for them to do to help you. Like....listen, accept me as I am depression and all, validate that what I am going through is real, don't judge, don't try to fix me. I think people in general want to understand and help they just have no idea how to. After all these years of knowing my siblings are still uncomfortable around the topic and avoid it. I don't want to be treated like a leper or for people to feel sorry for me, I just want to be accepted and not judged just like anyone else. It is up to us to communicate our needs. I am very glad you are getting the professional help you need. that is most important. All the more reason for them to not try and fix you.