do depressed people say they are depressed?

yes. and more would if people understood that depression is actually a medical condition.

keep strong, welcome. great topic.

I think there is a difference between admitting and announcing. Being aware of my illness, now that it has a name, how and when it is affecting me and being honest about it with the appropriate people have not been easy lessons to learn.

My daughter lives with me and also has depression. We MUST let each other know 'where we are at' for several reasons...to be patient and understanding, to be 'on alert', to get along and to encourage each other.

If I feel the disclosure will be helpful, I don't hesitate to reveal my diagnosis. If I'm looking for sympathy during a bout with it, I'm sure to 'use' it! ha ha! I'm not saying that's the 'right thing to do', I'm acknowledging that I do it.

It depends on who I am with. Some people I feel safe talking about depression with and others I don't. There are people who don't understand it and think you can just "get over it" and others who do understand, usually people who have been through it themselves.

You know, I always thought I was a lazy person until I started taking meds and had more energy. It kinda freaked me out at first because it reminded me of when I used drugs, "illegal drugs". Over time I realized the energy I got from the meds was what "normal" was supposed to feel like. When I quit taking the meds I would feel lazy, low energy, sad etc. Finally I realized I needed them if I wanted to feel somewhat "normal".