I am a 33-year old stay-at-home mother who suffers from unipolar depression. I have endured major depressive episodes since my childhood. I have been on many antidepressant medications since then but nothing has seemed to work. As a young adult, my periods of depression started lasting anywhere from 3-4 months even on medication but somehow I muddled through them.

My most recent depression, before Christmas, hit me really hard. It was devastating not being able to care for my children and do simple tasks like balancing my checkbook. I realize my depression has taken a toll on the relationships in my life and the relationship I have with my husband. I do feel guilty about my disease because I want to be at my best for the people I love. This time around, my depression got so bad I ended up in the emergency room of our local hospital with dehydration and exhaustion. I didn't want to let anyone down and continued to push myself. Finally, I had to come clean and tell the people in my life what was going on with me. When I told them I had clinical depression, it really was such a relief! I still battle internally with the stigma because I don't want people to think I am crazy. But I really got a lot of support from my friends and family and I think they admired my integrity for being honest.

My wish is for someone else with depression to read this and realize that you are not alone! Depression affects more people than you would ever imagine. For me, feeling better came from being honest about my disease, reaching out, and realizing, with the help of counseling, that I'm not alone. I still have my bad days, but then I try to remember my children need me and know that I am doing my best by taking life day by day. I can honestly say I have accepted my disease. I know I am not crazy. I know the dark times will pass, and that it is something out of my control. Acceptance has given me strength.

I hope anyone who is reading this, even on the darkest of your days, will remember - even when people are telling you to "buck up," or when your spouse is frustrated with you, and your friends don't understand, you will survive. There is hope! I know because I have survived it. So can you. God bless you. Always keep the faith.