Most people think that mental illness and depression are that you're just really sad. Its more than that and, unless you've been through it yourself or you have a loved one who has, it's really hard for most people to understand.

I've got my own issues that I seek help for (PTSD and depression) and my wife is diagnosed bipolar. I really do get what you are saying.

I would never hurt anyone - not even me.

If you have ever hit a person when you were angry, have had a problem because of jealousy, find yourself in heated arguments often or find yourself seeking revenge against someone that has done you wrong. Don't own a gun. I think almost everyone of the recent shooting involved a person with some sort of anger problem. As depression is sometimes attributed to anger turned inward, that may also be a signal.

Anger issues are very often ignored. "Don't own a gun" is excellent advice. Often those who are unable to control anger have guns to reinforce their ideas of justice. Those who trigger their rage, beware.

It is possible to learn how to control anger & get treatment --not easy but worth it. A lot of people never do and live their whole lives not knowing how to make peace within themselves. But I have seen some who get there. Usually they develop positive outlets for their volcanic energy and learn how to express anger instead of bottling up. They recognize the need for a conscious change. Support groups are a big help. If anyone reading this knows they have such a problem, do something about it now. Don't wait. You are not alone. You may have good reasons to feel angry--we all do. (It's not limited to men either). You can get a handle on your emotions and learn more positive ways of coping. Just do it. You know who you are.

Christmas--doing some Xmas shopping and trying to function in the horrendous amounts of traffic the holiday generates, I see plenty of people whose anger is not under control. A woman screamed and shook her fist at me when I didn't move up quite close enough to other cars at a stoplight. I saw people rudely knocking against a fragile old man trying to navigate a busy food section of a mall. A server in a busy coffee shop was taking out her anger on customers in a nasty, sarcastic, passive-aggressive way. You see it everywhere in this period just before Christmas. Supposedly the time of love and good cheer--but a lot of people reserve that only for their own families and are rude and hostile to others. There are people who really thrive on taking their issues out on others. They are some of the most unhappy souls in the world.

If you have ever flipped off another driver, responded to another angry driver or used your car to make a point.

It is easy to learn to let things go and it's better for your health.

This is a paraphrase.
'Anger turned outwards is rage.
Anger turned inwards is depression.
Anger turned sideways is laughter'

I try to turn it sideways. If even some of it is deflected, it helps.
That character on M*A*S*H is one of my favorites even though he was only on here and there.

unfortunately your right our system, is stuck somewhere between the 18th & 19th century bias.

For years, I self-medicated with booze, which made it worse actually. I was a functioning alcoholic. As soon as I got home from work, into the kitchen for the first on many highballs in a giant iced tea glass. Now I don't drink booze. I don't like the way it makes me feel.

Depression is a tough nut to crack. There is help out there, assuming you have health insurance that covers mental wellness. Depression is a physical ailment, not just a mental ailment. Diet, exercise, and plenty of water throughout the day can help, provided one is not so far down the black hole that getting out of bed, off the couch, etc. becomes almost impossible. Any depressed person who manages the struggle to achieve some mental wellness is really very courageous. If you are depressed, or know someone who is, please please continually reinforce the idea that you, or they, are SOMEBODY. Somebody who counts, somebody with value, somebody who actually adds value.

A sense of worthlessness, loneliness, and helplessness was at the root of much of my depression. Plus I grew up in a dysfunctional family with parents, who had piss poor social skills. No one taught me how to make friends. Indeed I was taught that Mother was my only real friend and distrust everyone else. How sick is that? I realize now that she was probably very depressed also.

I'm ok now. I know that I am somebody. I'm not afraid of failure. Failure is an honored teacher.

So have other members of my family, immediate and extended, mental illness in various forms. Some of us have harmed ourselves, none of us have harmed others.

And one thing I know is that the mentally-ill are no more likely than the general population to harm others. Statistically probably less.

Another thing I know is that I miss my brother--schizophrenic, gentle, kind, and simply the nicest person I ever knew. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. Things could irritate him, but I never saw him angry at anyone, and although his life was constrained by his malady he never felt a lack. He accepted and dealt cheerfully with every thing that came his way.

He died a few years ago from heart failure, at the age of 53. Complications from lupus, really.

I'll miss him forever.