When I'm in a severe depression, I think it's impossible to fake it. Someone from AA told me the other day that when I was severely depressed and going to meetings that I just had a dead look in my eyes and overall looked depressed. I didn't realize that. She told me that now (that my depression has improved considerably) my facial expressions are different. I guess my point is, depending on how severe the depression, it may be impossible to fake it.

I do want to comment on this:


I agree that it really sucks when someone you thought was your friend doesn't want to really be your friend because of your mental illness. There is someone in my life who I was very close with from about fifth grade on who I can tell now (we're in our late 40s) just isn't really that into me and is almost disrespectful. Part of it could be because I don't drink anymore and she does, but I think it's because I've been struggling with depression so much over the past year.