“…depressive realism. Depression is not the near death experience described by so many, [Kayla Dunn] suggests, but a rebirth in which the new psyche has removed self-delusion. Compared with so-called healthy individuals, depressives are more realistic in their worldview.”

“sufferers of depression, who can elect to keep their feelings private, experience chronic, unremitting emotional alienation. Each moment spent “passing” as normal deepens the sense of disconnection generated by depression in the first instance. In this regard, depression stands as a nearly pure case of impression-management. For depressed individuals, the social requirement to “put on a happy face” requires subjugation of an especially intense inner experience. Yet, nearly unbelievably, many severely depressed people “pull off the act” for long periods of time. The price of the performance is to further exacerbate a life condition that already seems impossibly painful”

“Somehow, like so many people who get depressed, we felt our depressions were more complicated and existentially based than they actually were.”

“. . . 'Depressing' isn't a word I would use to describe my music. But there is some sadness in it -- there has to be, so that the happiness in it will matter.”

“I'm depressed! I'm completely depressed! I am firmly convinced that there is no one in this world who really likes me!""So what else is new?”

“Depression: the healthy suspicion that modern life has no meaning and that modern society is absurd and alienating.”