Sometimes, a little bit of honesty goes a long way. Dear friends, society and people of the world. I have depression. Yes, that's right. And I am admitting it on this site, not because I'm weak or crave sympathy, but because this is who I am. I have been told to "snap out of it", "get over myself" and "stop being so selfish" by friends, family and partners. Some people who were very close to me, I have lost contact with because of it. I put on a brave face everyday to try and avoid this stigma - I live in a state of shame and guilt, because many people who have come and gone in my life have criticized me for it. It has ended relationships, friendships and affects every day of my life. And I'm now tired of it. I am tired of hiding this in an effort to be brave or so that I don't negatively affect the lives of others. I am tired of the stigma that "I can't deal with reality" or that I just need to try harder, or discipline myself. This is not fair. I am not going to change as much as a person with no legs will grow a new set of legs. And I am reaching out not for sympathy - and not even support, but for understanding. I am tired of thinking that I'm ungrateful, selfish and lack empathy. This is nothing short of abuse. It is like telling a paralyzed man to get up and run, and if he can't, then he must just snap out of it and stop bringing everyone down. I understand that the stigma still flourishes in our over-caffeinated, over-connected, misinformed "I'm too busy" society, and if you disagree with this need for understanding, please keep your disagreement to yourself. In a society where we see cries for help as a sign of weakness, this is the most difficult thing I've had to admit to myself and the people in my life. This is not a complaint, and this is not a cry for attention. This is an acceptance. Thank you to those who have stuck it through with me throughout this year. You have no idea how much I value your support and encouragement. You must understand that without this albeit small support base, I may not have made it through the year. Thank you for reading this if you have. I will now address the matter no further and continue to post irreverent pop culture references, sardonic film criticisms and offbeat remarks to fill up my online presence. To those who felt that this entire paragraph was a self-indulgent self-pitying rant in a state of weakness, I am not going to say anything to change your mind. I could have posted a picture of a cat, but I would be lying to myself and who would ever want to live a meaningless, pointless existence, where the only thing people see of us are the lies we tell ourselves and project onto others? Sometimes, a little bit of honesty goes a long way.