Do any of you have/had depression?
I've never been officially diagnosed or been on medication but, looking back, I can now recognize signs of severe depression ever since my early teens. Over the years I have had better moments and the worst of the worst moments.
It's really strange that I've always felt so "normal". Even now, I always have this huge feeling of guilt hanging over my head that there are people out there with "real problems" and all I have to do is get over myself.
It's so easy to fool yourself and lie to yourself and get caught in the negative thought patterns that keep on feeding the negativity further and further.
I think it is helpful to have somebody who is a professional, who is solely there to help you help yourself, who is impartial and who tells you how things really are, instead of trying to sugarcoat it.
I agree with Unkindloving that if you feel comfortable with talking to a friend and you feel that it helps you, then take the opportunity to talk.
For me, I think it is easier to talk to a professional because I don't have to worry about how the things I'm going to say affect them, how would they feel, should I word things differently and consider their feelings, worry that I should listen to their problems as well so that I wouldn't seem so selfish. With friends, there's always that aspect that does interfere and I can't fully concentrate on my own issues. And I find the confidentiality very appealing. With friends, you never know what they might let slip (unintentionally or intentionally).
Once you can get over the initial hesitation of setting up an appointment and going to the meetings, things will get more comfortable.
Feel the blues more than most people?
I don't think that I do feel the blues more than most people out there. And I don't necessarily agree that NF's are more prone to depression than any other type out there. People are so different regardless of type.
Although, when I'm at my lowest point it does feel like I'm the only one with "it" and there's no way anybody else has ever felt so bad. I know that's not true but is just feels so real.