Originally Posted by KTsKids:
I think a lot of us have been where you are and can empathize. 
I think that was one of the problems in previous generations. Deprtession has existed for probably ever, but nobody really knew what it was until fairly recently. Even when people first started to realise what it was, nobody admitted to having it because it meant they were crazy. It's probably only the last 20 years when people started to see it as an actual medical illness.
Now, anyone fighting depression has no reason to be afraid or ashamed. Whether it's temporary, or a lifetime thing, they don't have to live with it any more.