Misunderstood

What does Natalie have to be sad about?  I don't understand.   
Snap out of it!  
She smiles all of the time.  I'm floored at this!  It makes zero sense.    

All 3 of the above statements are ones I've heard about myself since I've been out of "The Peach."  Sadly, I'm realizing it's a "trigger" for me.  I have a lot to be grateful for.  I have a husband who clearly loves me unconditionally, a nice home, a job I love, two adorable rescue kittens, a family on both sides who love me, and friends I can count on.  

Trust me, if I could snap out of it, I would.  

I googled "how to make someone understand depression."  Here's the first pop up.  Maybe it will help people get it.  I don't know.  

Depression, also known as major depression, clinical depression or major depressive disorder is a medical illness that causes a constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest. Depression affects how the person feels, behaves and thinks.

Depression can lead to emotional and physical problems. Typically, people with depression find it hard to go about their day-to-day activities, and may also feel that life is not worth living.

What is depression?

Feeling sad, or what we may call "depressed", happens to all of us. The sensation usually passes after a while. However, people with a depressive disorder - clinical depression - find that their state interferes with daily life.

For people with clinical depression, their normal functioning is undermined to such an extent that both they and those who care about them are affected by it.

I had a counselor years ago tell me that Depression was "swallowed anger."  I didn't believe that.  I now do.  

Today, I am angry.