Rick Moody on Depression

I have read, frequently, in the past couple of days, that it would be good if depression were less stigmatized, and it would be good if people who suffered with it were open about their suffering, so that we might all understand better. So let me say that in my twenties I felt that ominous cloud move into the neighborhood for a couple of years. Its menace was astonishing to me and for a while I was all but powerless to dislodge it. I was hospitalized in those days. I still feel the thunder now and again, two towns over. I still remember the loneliness and the isolation. And I feel the impressions of my fellow sufferers and their families. I pray for them. We do the best we can while we are here. Those who are not able to stay teach us a lot about courage. They are not weak, while they are here, they are very, very strong. This I can tell you because I remember.