Depression, as described by a drunken cynic

Sadness is a common emotion that is prominent in humans. It can influence our lives in a variety of ways. It can break and bend us out of order, even push us past our wit's end. However, sadness often subsides easily. Depression does not. 

Depression can delude you into thinking your entire existence is completely purposeless. It can cause you to harm yourself and abuse substances. It will break you down into a husk of the person you once were. 

When you're depressed, you treat people differently; you resent them for being happy. You feel lonely in crowds and are often overcome with a longing to isolate yourself. 

You feel completely inside-out, and every room you enter reeks of hopelessness and despair. The air around you is always stale, as though it has been undisturbed for thousands of years. 

The color slowly leaves your face and any sign of life drains from your eyes until you are simply existing rather than living. At this point, you'll find that food no longer pacifies your hunger, and you feel cold under every blanket. Every mirror in which you steal a fleeting glance, there lives someone who wants to kill you.

Tell your friends you love them. You never know what someone may be going through. If you are one of those people fighting a silent battle, know this: your struggle may be invisible, but you are not. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out to someone. It can save your life.