Hi everyone.

I've been suffering from depression since 2001. When I tried to explain it to one of my relatives, he said, <font color="red">"just man up and get over it"</font>. If only I could! I don't feel "sad" like I would had something bad happened to me. Instead, it's like my emotions have been stolen from me. I'm just lost in this void of feeling nothing for weeks on end. What's worse, my depression is idiopathic (i.e. no obvious stressor brought it on) and treatment-resistant. Aren't I lucky?

Other than my therapist and psychiatrist, I don't really feel like I can tell anyone about it and not get a negative reaction. For whatever reason, men with depression are seen as weak-willed and stupid. Any other men out there dealing with this? Is there anyone that understands that it isn't my fault and if I could just snap out of it, I would have done so six years ago?