Jennifer, it can be really nice to NOT be unique, can't it? :) I'm very happy to not be unique when it comes to depression. This advice you gave feels just right, too: "One thing I’ve learned is when those short, intense moments of depression come, don’t fight it." To fight wildly against something we can't beat (at least not in that way) only wears us out and makes us feel even more defeated. Thanks for your ongoing support, friend.

Trina, yes, sharing can be so hard, but so helpful. We are very odd creatures, when it comes to what we choose to be "strong" about (or at least pretend we're strong about). You've been such an important, reliable part of this supportive community—thank you.

Jeb, this is SO true—especially the second part of it: "For me, sharing a secret feels like releasing a burden. Not just the secret itself, but the assumptions I have about how others will react to it." My assumptions about how others will react are on some sort of speed. It's ridiculous. I'm going to have to figure out how to calm those monsters down, more regularly. (And your last comment made me laugh out loud. CLEARLY I'm human! I'm just an extra wordy human. :)

Kirstin, thanks for sharing your experience with depression, from the perspective of a spouse. It sounds like your family learned a lesson that will positively impact you the rest of your life. How wonderful it is to be "far from alone in wrestling with depression and its related fall-out." (And now that we've reconnected, we should meet for coffee or lunch some time!)

Sam, YES! What is it about depression that makes us so strange and illogical about treatment? I'm so glad your pregnancy evened things out for you rather than doing the opposite, and that you shared about it here. I certainly don't want people to think that having a baby is the beginning of the end. :) In fact, I was thinking about that particular baby of mine, and how for the first year of her life she often felt like the only good and happy thing in our home. Everything else seemed to be falling apart, but she embodied the peace and contentment I craved.

Juli, thanks for speaking up and letting me know you're out there. This is such a beautiful, true way to think about all this: "...it just feels so reassuring that we’re not alone in this - not totally broken but instead in company with some wonderfully talented, beautiful, blessed people." I just want to breathe than truth in and sit with it for a while. Thank you, and blessings to you.

suzi, "Better Living through Chemistry"—ha! I love it! Thanks for your friendship and sense of humor in the messiness of life.

(All, I'll be back to respond to more comments! Thanks for your patience and for surrounding me with so much goodness.)