[Mr. Onion Head]

Oh Lord! What's this world coming to??
I agree with Spirit100!!!
nicker:

While the symptoms of depression are seen as emotional disorders, most of those that are clinically depressed actually suffer from a physical depletion of endorphins, serotonin, etc. Certainly this doesn't speak to ALL of those who are clinically depressed, but it does speak to more than half.

I have always taken medicine for an under active thyroid. Not meant to gross you guys out, but menopause completely screwed up my hormone, endorphin and the old thyroid level problem. As a result, I am now taking an anti-depressant....Lexipro. I would kill someone if they tried to take it away from me. Being diagnosed as being depressed, I'd probably get away with it, too!

Anyway, my thyroid medicine is STILL being increased as recently as last month. Some folks may not even realize that depression has them in their grasp. I've always dreaded the shorter days of winter. I learned a few years back that that condition can be a seasonal depression. The tendency to have some of these, like seasonal depression, is absolutely hereditary.

I think depression is one of the most misunderstood conditions in the world. I feel extremely blessed and thankful that my doctor realized what was going on with me, and is helping me cope.

For those of you who see depression as a person who is withdrawn and sad all the time, that happens less than 20% in those with clinical depression.

I don't understand suicide. It bothers me to think about any human being getting to the point of that level of despair. However, not long ago, there was a time in my life when I just didn't want to hurt anymore. At that time, in order NOT to hurt, I would've HAD to have been dead. I sometimes wonder if those insidious thoughts could be the start of the slide from reality. I don't think I will ever really know; and I don't think I ever really want to know.

Awesome post. Couldn't have put any better myself. Mental illnesses of all kinds are so misunderstood by those that have not dealt with it first hand.