In the mind of the depressive

I am often asked what does it feel to be depressed, how does a depressed person think, what is it like in the mind of the depressive.

Here's a sample of how depression acts in my mind.

Hearing about the "successes" of people who have had depression (or other mental illnesses) such as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, or (mathematician) John Nash does not help. The depressed person wants to know how to cope with their depression, not what they haven't (and more than likely never will!!!) achieved.

Telling the depressed person not to wait until it's "too late" is (to the depressed person) totally selfish. "Too late" for who exactly? Just because a person hasn't attempted or threatened anything drastic doesn't mean it's not "too late" in their mind.

In my deepest depressive moments, when I'd hear "don't wait until it's too late", I'd reply (in my mind) "why the F*** are YOU waiting until it's too late?"

The depressed mind can be angry, but also very wise and logical.

Specifically regarding men, the man doesn't want to hear the broken record (because that's what it is) of "you never say anything", he wants to hear "I'm listening".

Still in reference to men, they are often criticized for not disclosing ailments, especially psychological. Before criticizing men for lack of disclosure, do we ever question ourselves as to whether we would be comfortable with men openly suffering? Isn't the disclosure of psychological weakness by a male a show of strength precisely because it is the exception? Are we truly proud of those who disclose? Think of the families who have more than one male with mental illness, do we revere them for openness, or rather pity them, and in worse case scenarios mock them?

Several of these thoughts / beliefs are bleak, and uncomfortable to read. Unfortunately they are true in the mind of the depressed person.

Only by understanding and accepting these cognitive differences can we slowly eliminate the stigma.