The nature of perception is that it is subjective. Philosophy has obsessed about this for centuries. A famous example would be when one views a coin straight on it appears circular, but from an angle it will appear oval. A mood disorder alters ones perception of the world independent from external stimuli. As a result, actions and their outcomes are perceived relative to ones current mental state of being which is influenced, at times even determined, by a disorder or lack thereof. So, while other people can focus on a problem to solve in order to enact a resolution or reliably use coping mechanisms to improve their mood, such as listening to some song or, if I might be so bold, praying to Jesus for reassurance and/or aid, people with disorders can and often are unable to share in those experiences. How often it was that I would be in a Church where everyone around me feels the Love of the Lord while I would sit there trying to remember what Love even feels like or, in extreme cases, what it was like to even feel, to be emotive, let alone know joy, satisfaction, or happiness.

Reality is relative to how it is perceived, and people like us perceive it differently. It's why we can relate; why I can write this and know it will strike a cord in those reading; why I so often abstain from sharing this information with others. The reality we share is one they reject because a reality which is relative to perception produces discordant views of what is real. The reality actively perceived by those with mood disorders is so discordant to their own that it is incomprehensible to them - our existence is an enigma to their mind. Even those with PHD's and decades of experience in treating the mentally ill will often no more understand the world you or I perceive as anything greater than an intellectual abstraction.

I know my explanation might be a little depressing, but I find the realization it provides helps in tolerating the ignorance of others. It affords me an understanding of what benefit can be gained from attempting to explain how my disorder affects my ability to function. Some will genuinely try to understand, others will be willing to accept their ignorance, and then there are those who do not care for the implications that arise from the belief that severe bio-chemical imbalance will radically alter someones core identity. I believe that what is frustrating about such people is that by rejecting the reality we perceive they reject the people who exist in that reality - you, me, us.