There is so much that people who are not directly affected by depression don’t understand. Perhaps it’s because depression is an “invisible” illness. You can’t see the pain. You can’t see the sadness behind the smiles. You can’t see the constant negative thoughts. You can’t see the soul crushing feelings of loneliness, hopelessness and despair. It’s intangible. If you can’t see it then it’s easy to ignore. If you can’t see it then it’s easy to reject. But those of us that struggle with it still know it’s there.

There are many misconceptions about people with mental illness and depression. There is a certain picture or stereotype, if you will, of what we are like. We are often perceived as being crazy, weak, scary, and even violent. There is also a misconception of what our lives must be like and how we live. Perhaps it’s because of how most people with mental illness are depicted and represented in movies, news stories, etc. While we are most definitely not “one size fits all”, many of us have some and perhaps even many things in common.  Some of us have experienced trauma, abuse, etc., but some of us have not.

Here is what I wish people understood about depression:

1. You can smile and laugh and still suffer from depression

2. You can dance at a party, wedding, or a club and still suffer from depression

3. You can have excellent grades, be at the top of your class and still suffer from depression

4. You can run a half-marathon, a marathon, and a 50K and still suffer from depression

5. You can be healthy physically and still suffer from depression

6. You can be highly revered and still suffer from depression

7. You can be a pillar of your community and still suffer from depression

8. You can have awards, recognitions, and accolades and still suffer from depression

9. You can have a happy marriage and still suffer from depression

10. You can have a loving spouse and still suffer from depression

11. You can have nurturing parents and still suffer from depression

12. You can have a happy childhood and still suffer from depression

13. You can have an excellent career and still suffer from depression

14. You can be productive at work and still suffer from depression

15. You can be a person of faith and still suffer from depression

16. You can have wonderful children and still suffer from depression

17. You can have a support system and still suffer from depression

18. You can have caring friends and still suffer from depression

19. You can have an excellent therapist and still suffer from depression

20. You can take medication and still suffer from depression

21. YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING AND STILL SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION