Oh yeah, I get this from people. It's frustrating. For me, depression isn't about feeling sad. It's that heavy apathy type of feeling.

I had one co-worker send me this stupid link about Abraham Lincoln being depressed and then tacked on the end this explanation about "deciding to be happy." I work very hard at maintaining stability and in the end I didn't even realize how horrible things were getting for me. People don't understand, that's the bottom line.

Also when I disclosed at work I was told (verbally of course) that I can never be "moved or promoted" with my condition. Yes, illegal but also my word against the HR director that it happened. Also, in a review, my old manager, who is a nurse, that I need to leave my bipolar at the door when I get to work in the morning.

The level of ignorance in this world is often astounding.