I’ve been suffering from depression and anxiety for over 13 years now (The last half of my life).  I can say that I know a lot about it.  When my battle with depression comes up in conversation the most common question I get is something that sounds like, “Why are you depressed?” or, “What are you depressed about?”.  And these questions show a complete lack of knowledge about what depression truly is.  For instance, if you saw a little boy who was terminally ill from brain cancer.  Would you ask him, “What’s causing the cancer?”?  No, this question would not make sense.  Depression is a mental illness and mental illnesses are diseases too, just like cancer.

I believe, also, that there is a very strong link between depression and anger – or what I call “empty anger”.  For instance, if a patient is being emotionally abused and does not act out his/her anger, then depression results.  Depression is anger without enthusiasm.  Practicing assertiveness is, in my opinion, the most practical way of overcoming depression.