I remember.

Stop your negative thinking and realize that everyone goes through the same thing. Knowing the other people in the room feel the same way on the inside, despite what they are portraying, is empowering and will help you gain your confidence. Don't worry about it and get on with life. You can send me $75 for my advice.

Why are you hiding your real feelings with your friends? Are they so sensitive? Speak up your mind, don't fake happiness if you are sad and blue. Admission is the first step for healing your soul.

When ever I'm down and out ...... I always think to myself that I have my health. Having your health is such a blessing. If you look around the city and see other people with disabilities or illness it makes you think that there a lot of other people in this world that are doing a lot worse. Just my 2 cents.

Seems to me that you need to change your inner voice and speak nicer thoughts about yourself inside your own head. Only you can change your pattern of thinking to achieve a more optimistic outlook on life. Try things like, "I am a great person.", and "I have an amazing _____", etc. It won't take too long (don't give up) and you may notice that your attitude about yourself will change. At least it worked for me.

Fuck most of this advice. wally, wally, wally. I can't even capitalise your name. You spew dribble. Have you ever been depressed? You are right that many of us are the same and have our own, often similar, pain. But your logic is flawed. Yes you are flawed. I am too, because I hate people who give shit advice like yours. So easy to achieve. Stop your negative thinking? I'll put this in layman's terms. When one is sad one forget's what happiness feels like. This is a quantifiable. Cognition is a weird, eh. When we are in the dark we can't see the pain in other people. With real depression, I find that no amount of amazing qualities will never, so easily, sway the opinion of myself.

I know your pain but I am not going to ask you find solice in that simple confession. Fuck my pain because it doesn't matter. What matters is that you learn how to deal with your shit. I think being straight up with your closest freinds in a good start. We all need some form of intimacy. I would then ask your GP to refer you to an organisation that deals with mood disorders. I suggest no drugs or alcohol but this may not be the best time of year to stop. Finally, CBT can help you.

Those people you call your friends really don't know you then, do they ?