Animal is a Ram

I've never been officially diagnosed, but after studying psychology and reading the diagnostic criteria, there are parts of my life that I look back on and say, yes, I fit those.
The above is from ICD-10, which is one of the two main diagnostic manuals for illnesses, both mental and physical. I can't say I ever progressed beyond mild - but I did, and still do, experience most of those symptoms at one time or another.
Personally, never considered suicide - but that's not to say those thoughts didn't appear in the back of my mind, more a case of 'what if?' than 'I will'. It was often the thought of hurting my family and friends that stopped me. It wasn't their fault, they shouldn't suffer. Equally though, that mindset stopped me talking to anyone about it. It's only now in hindsight I can really discuss it.
It'd be the days where I just felt nothing. Not sadness, but just.. empty. Like I was observing the world from afar. Wouldn't matter what I was doing, listening to music, watching football, the things you find pleasure in, just don't reach you. I'd spend a couple of weeks where I'd not get to sleep til 3 or 4am, then be waking up at 6. I wouldn't even be thinking about anything in particular. I wouldn't feel any different though, whether I'd slept 2 hours or 8.
It never goes away though - I'll have the odd week or two where it'll come back, but I usually muddle on through - and I'm in the very fortunate position to live with my girlfriend, who understands why my behaviour changes so drastically every so often. It was hard to start with, the first couple of times she couldn't understand why I'd 'go off her' for that time, I wouldn't speak to her, touch her, some days I couldn't even look her in the eyes, and I just couldn't explain it. After the episode though, I managed to get some clarity, and explain it as best I could. It frustrates the crap out of her that she can't help any more than just being there, but that's all she can do.
From my experience, I don't think you can really treat depression, per se, it's all about how it's managed. If you know someone who suffers, you just have to make sure they know you'll be around irrespective. A lot of the time, its enough to know someone cares. It might well have saved my life.

Some great tips there, Lester!
Our "person" uses an application that reduces the blue light transmitted by his monitor after a certain time of night and he swears by it to allow him to sleep after working late.
My experience of depression albeit from an outsiders point of view is that there are lots of coping mechanisms that may help to some degree and that by trying them the sufferer is taking control of their depression and reducing the control the depression has over them.

South stand looked excellent. Followed by the North and East.
I really like that 12th man flag - can't see it from where I am though!

Really hope they stick Skyrim on that list. Clearly Bethesda isn't averse to doing it. That will finally tip the household next gen decision firmly to the Xbone.

Really hope they stick Skyrim on that list. Clearly Bethesda isn't averse to doing it. That will finally tip the household next gen decision firmly to the Xbone.

Apocalypse Now-Brilliant as always, just an amazing film.
10/10.

Probably been posted but I don't care, one of the best Derby flag photos...

Good job I didn't go to the Empire State when I was there a couple of years ago.. I'd have had the same treatment!
 

 
Here's me and my flag in NY.

Good job I didn't go to the Empire State when I was there a couple of years ago.. I'd have had the same treatment!
 

 
Here's me and my flag in NY.

Good job I didn't go to the Empire State when I was there a couple of years ago.. I'd have had the same treatment!
 

 
Here's me and my flag in NY.

Good job I didn't go to the Empire State when I was there a couple of years ago.. I'd have had the same treatment!
 

 
Here's me and my flag in NY.

You are indeed correct, the space shuttle exhibit hadn't long opened when I went. Fun fact, the Blackbird you can just see in the top left, is the one Will Smith plays golf on in I Am Legend.
I didn't go in, much to my regret. 

Good job I didn't go to the Empire State when I was there a couple of years ago.. I'd have had the same treatment!
 

 
Here's me and my flag in NY.

Rescued one off the road the other day

Coheed and Cambria's excellent latest pair of albums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRoN4_kG6XM