I started experiencing depression when I was in junior high. At the time, no one really talked about depression or mental illness.
What was challenging for me is that most people saw me as being this happy-go-lucky girl with this bright and sunny disposition, and no one took me seriously when I was in the throes of my darkness.
Any time I tried to share my pain, I was stuffed right back into the box that everyone wanted to put me in. Smiling. Outgoing.
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