General statement to all. Not aimed at you personally, OLOF:
I suffer from depression. I was diagnosed at the age of 55, 5 years ago. After much reflection, I now realise that I have almost certainly been depressed all of my life & prolly will be until I die. Fortunately though, I have developed coping mechanisms that help keep me fairly close to the straight & narrow. For now.
I was a Samaritans Listener for a number of years, but resigned when diagnosed, as most of my callers were depression sufferers. I was mild by comparison, but it seemed the right thing to do.
Anyone on here could be suffering & not know it. The same goes for your family or friends. I hope not.
I will finish on one remark. One that I hope is educational, and one that I bang the drum about because it's true and the very core of misunderstanding or misdiagnosing mental illness - logic plays no part in the illness, so don't try to apply it or insist upon it. If you don't understand mental illness, then don't pontificate as though you know what you're talking about, as some have done online tonight. This is people's lives we're talking about, not a subject for uneducated argument or WUMing.
There, I've said it. Read it a few times. If this strikes a chord with anyone about themselves or someone they know, don't hesitate to PM me.
Cheers, Neil.