Anyways to be honest it really sucks, but it can effect me daily by decreasing my energy so feeling to exausted to even keep up on some basic things, makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning...effects my ability to enjoy anything throughout the day and can persist even during positive events of life. Also there is a feeling of loneliness even around people.

I think as far as what you can do to help is be supportive, and be there for him as best you can and realize its a disorder so I'd say try and understand sometimes they aren't going to be capable of things you think they should be...or might have diffiulties with things. but also don't beat yourself up if you can't cheer him up or whatever...since its not a failure on your part but depression can simply make it hard enjoy and feel things.

Unfortunately a lot of people in my life really don't get it and so it can be hard to tell them if I am struggling with something due to it. Like my mom wants me to try and sweep and mop the floors at least once a week and its like 'don't you get it its even difficult for me to motivate myself to take a shower let alone clean' But then afraid she might try and imply I'm just making excuses(even though she knows about the depression, but she doesn't understand at all how it effects me)..but then tries to assume she knows but it would be more helpful if she'd just be supportive...of course I have no problem helping clean around the house, but there are times everything is too exausting but is like i can't really tell her 'you know i've really been struggling this week and haven't been able to get around to it yet' I don't I just feel I try my best, but my best isn't to the level of normal functioning and people aren't necessarily all that understanding about the fact it really does interfere with functioning.[/QUOTE]

I hear you my friend my mental health really interferes with my life and my mothers favourite saying was 'think positive' yeah like it's that easy!
Your right I do beat myself up if I can't cheer him up , all I feel I'm doing is nagging him but he has to eat and bathe.
I feel so guilty and I know it's not my fault but hereditary it is and it's breaking my heart.
Strange thing is he never had any idea about my mental health until recently as I didn't want the kids to learn a particular behaviour grôwing up, ive seen that happen, I wanted them to be everything I wasn't.
One things for sure I'm adamant I won't do what my mother did.... Ignore it for years
Thank you
Jk