Why is it that when you are still able to function, everyone says your not depressed?

Hi There,
I'm new to this site / forum. I am thinking that some new input may be helpful. I'm struggling with depression, mild for sure in the grand scheme of things, but still struggling. When I bring it up to my Doc, he felt that because I was aware of it, I could deal with it. My friends think that because I still get up and go to work and have a decent social life, that I'm fine. I was hoping that each day would get a bit better and eventually things would be back on an even keel. I don't want to be medicated, it's not my goal. So much has happened, esp in the last year and a half, I know that I am not processing and simply functioning a lot of the time. I have a chronic condition that makes me hurt 90% of the time. I am dealing with grief and loss stemming from multiple sources. I'm dealing with failed fertility treatments. Truly - I'm tired of crying at the drop of the hat. I'm tired of having to force myself out of the house most days, because I'd rather not go out at all. I'm considering counseling again, which I attended regularly while going through my divorce many years ago. My fear, I'll go and they too will tell me that this is normal and I'm processing and it will be fine. Not logical, I know :-(

Post Edited (Cyndo) : 2/18/2013 10:50:13 AM (GMT-7)

Hello Cyndo. Depression is an invisible disease. As we are not on crutches or wearing bandages we appear "normal" to others. Even though I am depressed I am able to screw on a smile, go to work and do what I have to do. I have been able to hold it all in until I get home. It is a coping mechanism for sure. No one understands something they don't have. I can never understand what it feels like to have no arms as I have mine. But, as I have depression, I can understand what it feels like.

This is a good place to talk about it how you are feeling and what is going on. I have found understanding here that I lack everywhere else. If your doctor is not taking your issue seriously maybe you need to get another doctor. Unfortunately we have to be our own advocates. No one can pick us up off the floor except ourselves.

Jennifer