Only the most ignorant and uninformed people I know lean towards the belief that it is shameful or somehow indicative of a "lack of character" to develop a mental illness. This thinking is antiquated, terribly outdated, and is not helpful in the least! And yet, there are people out there who cling to it----unbelievable.

And yes, a relative, mind you, a RELATIVE!!, tried to lay this very head trip on me. What a load of fetid manure her thinking is. She only did it to make me feel bad, which is something she's been actively trying to do for years, anyway.

There was nothing in my life or in my lifestyle which should have led me to feel like this. I developed depression when I was in the prime of my life---I was very outdoorsy, very very healthy, and had everything to live for. So, I know there is nothing I should feel shame about---and that nothing I did, not my attitude to life, or my thinking, brought it on.

I bear no responsibility for developing this illness, and never will.

However, the argument over whether it is a purely biological function or is brought on by experiences and trauma will hover over us all for years to come. But picking sides in this does not help. It only causes distress and confusion.

I cannot emphasize strongly enough, There's not much point in debating something that, right now, cannot be measured or quantifiably known.

We all have to get the best information we possibly can, and try our best to overcome as much negative thinking as possible---and pursue our own better health as aggressively as we are able. THAT is all we can do, each and every one of us.

Shame for becoming ill should have nothing to do with it. It is ridiculous to allege that anyone would SEEK to feel like this, lose their hopes, their careers, their future and X number of years, and possibly their lives!, to feeling this way. It just doesn't work like that. No one would seek this.

Leave the misguided and outmoded notions of shame and guilt and blame at the door. You'll be very very relieved when you do that.