Just wondered if most people know you're depressed or not. I think most people I know with the exception of my husband would be shocked to hear I fight depression. Even all the people who don't like me probably see me as weird or confident or both, but not depressed. I suspect a lot of people would be shocked.

Hi

Only my husband and 2 close friends know about my depression, as I put on a pretty good act usually on the outside....people would be very shocked.

I hid my depression from friends and family for year, some people still dont know, in fact quite a few. Its not something thats easy to talk about and many people dont understand.

Nobody knows, no friends, no family, I guess the only people that know are the ones here.

Yes my husband, my sister and stepmum knows I suffer from depression. Mum and dad know but they say its attention seeking.

My experience is different so I thought I'd add it here. Most people know that I have depressive bouts. I live in a smallish town and have been very open about my illness, because I don't see it as a character flaw or moral weakness and I refuse to be stigmatised. But then I think I am quite an educator at heart and I really want to teach people that depression is not something to be ashamed of. It is still talked about in hushed tones by many people, and I hope that by being open and explaining how it feels, I educate at least those I speak with.

But my goodness, is it ever stigmatised! When I mentioned to someone that I'd recently been in a psych hospital she looked at me as if she thought I was beyond the end of line - she was so shocked. So maybe it's also a bit of a rebel streak in me that makes me want to be sure that ignorant people are confronted with their prejudices.

I've also had lots of people come up and confide in me about their own depression, ask questions etc. So I hope I'm helping a few people feel less lonely and less ashamed.

Most of my family knows, but my coworkers and friends don't. I don't think anyone would be too shocked, I seem down in the dumps a lot anyway.

Most of my family knows but when I HAVE to go out in public I fake it. It's takes ALL my energy. When I get home I collapse, I cry for a while and then take a klonipin and go to sleep. It's a great life.

Yes. Aside from of course my psychotherapist and my GP, my flatmates, colleagues, and my friend, as well as my parents, all know that I am living with a longterm depression that is complicated by other factors, and that it's a result of my past. [although of course my parents can't really get their head around the causes, because it's too painful for them that they were part of it. Although they're really great, and supportive in their own ways.]

My boyfriend, my parents, & a couple of my friends do. Somedays I can fake it at work, others not so much. I think most of my coworkers just think I really quiet, when I'm really just sad. I would almost rather people know I'm depressed than to just think I'm a big bore; but then I would be subjcted to questioning about why I'm depressed. So just let them think I'm boring.

I don´t know. I´ve told my mother, she probably has told my father, have mentioned to my brother and couple of other people but from what I understand telling or not telling dosen´t really have any difference. People usually don´t get it, avoid it alltogether or its just sort of part of a conversation topic or something like that.
The only thing I have gotten from telling is a little bit of a relief and a feeling that I´m not hiding something. Funny thing is that nobody really cares so hiding never had any real point.

If you would tell most of your friends would probably just shrug unless they have their own personal experience with that, then they would love to talk and ask for an advise. When one can´t see the illness it becomes somewhat nonexistent and unreal. Or part of a fashion statement maybe.

I have only just started to tell people in my family really even tho I have suffered most of my life. My mother has always known but not to the extent that i do suffer.

I broke down in tears in front of my friends for no reason so i think they realised something was wrong with me then. Now i just cant be myself around them anymore, i wish they didnt know about it, it was easier to pretend i was ok when they didnt.

I have only told a few close friends and have not told my family.My father does not believe that a person can suffer from depression.I have had depression all my life and just recently started treatment for it.I've lived 44 years with it.I was always told that I should be able to deal with down moods and get over them.In other words pull yourself up by the bootstraps.I tried this for over 30 years and it never worked.I finally decided to seek treatment after having suicidal thoughts.I finally admitted I have a illness,but this is off topic.Some people at work know about my depression others think I'm just moody.I have been amazed at how many people I work with also suffer depression as well as friends.

My parents just think I'm crazy and lazy. I've told some of my "close" friends about my "problem", but they are too self involved to even acknowldge it. I tell them and they just want to talk about themselves, aw god my best friend is a horrible person, but thinks very highly of himself. I wish I wouldn't have lost my faith so I could feel like this place is better than it is. There is too much wrong with the world to feel like anything is going to make a difference. sorry I'm rambling.

The truth is people genuinly don't care about your disorder and think that you can snap out of it. They think you want attention, when really you couldn't care less, but you seek help from your loved ones and they tell you to get out of bed and feel like I feel, go out and grab the day by its tail. Always move forward and feel good all the time. And these people are taking there adderall in the morning there hydrocodne for lunch and swallow there flexeral down with a glass of wine at night. WEll from my experience anyways.

Friends and family know I'm bipolar and with that comes frequent depression. But I feel like I try over and over to get closer to them, you know, keep in touch better, and they tend to shun me like I'm so deranged they can't trust me or something. It's depressing knowing that they feel this way and I'm forever battling with my self esteem because of their lack of care and concern for me. Sure they talk to me at get togethers and such, but when I write them and try to include them in my life? They, most of them, don't respond to me at all and I feel like a leper or something even worse. It's unimaginable how cruel the people closest to us can be. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and it's not an easy road, not in the least. darkshadow.

Absolutely not!....the first thing my mom said when i gained up 3 years of courage to tell her was "YOU!? no way, theyres nothing wrong with you!"....people i dont know actually tend to be jealous of me because i have so much going for me on the outside......and other people just think im a jerk.
For ex
I have a mild long term depression that comes and goes several times in a day, and when it hits i tend to fake it as best i can....in doing this, i use my confidence to overcome my depression wich results in me coming off as an "a**Ho**"....and usually when i get really depressed, i just dont talk, or keep to myself.