In my case, I suffer from
Dysthymia. I've had it since I was in university, so over twenty years. I've also had 'proper' spells of depression as well, during which it would be safe to say I was boarder line suicidal.
When I was doing group therapy, I felt like a fraud because many of the people there were extremely hampered by their depression, to the point they were off on disability because they couldn't work, and some of them couldn't even get out of bed. These were bankers, teachers, home makers.... My dysthymia never dragged me so "low," and I have been able to remain relatively functional. Of course it was also the depression talking. When I mentioned it to my therapist, he chuckled and said it just proves that I belonged there.
Yes, I do feel hopeless and insignificant, but I still find it in me to soldier on and do my thing. As has often been noted here, I'm often putting myself down, or laughing sardonically at myself or the irony of the world around me. I also find that I generally feel numb. Not suffering, not good, not alive, just existing. Also should point out, that while not suicidal, I am prone to being 'self destructive'. (Read: pushing myself too much and doing stupid shit)
Now one thing a lot of people don't realize is that depression 'scars' the brain. Like pneumonia, it damages the sufferer such that they become more susceptible to reoccurring bouts of depression.
Finally....
10 Things Not To Say To Someone With Depression
