How many of you have experienced depression in your life?

[popcornbird]

Honestly, I don't believe the majority of the people in this world are *depressed*..........really. We would be having some MAJOR issues in this world if that was the case. Well, I know we do have major issues in the world, but I really find it hard to believe that THAT many people are clinically depressed. Or are they.........and just *under the carpet*, never known of and never treated? That is so sad.

I agree with the word *depression* being over-used when it isn't needed though, and to be honest, I have over-used it before as well. We all have our sad moments, but that is soooo true that we really aren't in a state of *depression*. I know that I've described myself as depressed at times of sadness, when I wasn't really depressed. I was just sad. I don't know depression at this point in life, and hope I never will. So it is over-used and we do use the word too much in the society, making it seem as not such a big deal when someone who REALLY has depression says they're depressed. I have a cousin who used to suffer from depression..............after her cat died. She was seriously depressed and had to take pills because of it. It was so sad. She had the cat since she was 4 years old, and it died of old age when she was 23. She just couldn't take it. It was the saddest thing to see her like that, but thank God she's alright now. My aunt was also depressed, for the longest time ever. She lost her eldest son at age 15 in a car accident and has never been normal after that. I feel so bad for her. She's ok now, but she still gets those depressive moments. So you're right that we all probably do have people who are close to us suffering from depression. Its sad and I wish their was something we could do to help. Someone thinking about killing themselves as a result of depression is very sad indeed. I could never even imagine doing something like that!

Some of the responses from the teens here really makes me sad. I can only say that I hope they find peace and happiness in themselves someday, and I thank God, everyday, that I'm not one of the many sad and depressed teens in the world.