A recent conversation with someone who is struggling to understand a loved one with debilitating depression brought out some old memories for me. I haven’t experienced a depressive episode in 15 years, but it still feels fresh when I speak to someone who is going through something similar.

Like an old scar, healed but never completely forgotten.

I feel overwhelming sadness & empathy for the person in pain & it’s pretty much a guaranteed ugly cry if no one is around. But one thing I don’t feel anymore is paralyzing fear.