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45 People With Depression Who Aren't Just Sulking in a Corner

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What do people with depression look like?

Feeling blue
exhibit A
girl sits in depression on floor near the wall
exhibit B

According to Google images, stock photo sites and even some antidepressant commercials, people with depression spend all day sitting in dark rooms and sulking in corners. And while yes, depressive symptoms sometimes manifest in this way (hey, there’s nothing wrong with occasional corner sulking), this doesn’t represent the 14.8 million adults in the U.S. who experience major depression disorder within a given year.

So we asked our Mighty readers who live with depression to show us pictures of them, well… living with depression.

Here are some of the real faces of depression:

1.

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photo via Marlena Davis

2.

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photo via Andrea Valiante

“Fighting the fight for my loved ones!” — Andrea Valiante

3.

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photo via Joe Scianna

“I won’t let the women be the only ones brave enough to post their pictures in answer to this question. I have dealt with debilitating depression for a number of years, and although some days are difficult, I still manage to care for my wife and children.” — Joe Scianna

4.

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photo via Julianne Leow

5.

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photo via Christine Suhan

6.

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photo via Barbara Audacity Johnson

7.

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photo via Carolynn Zalesak

“Gotta keep looking on. The beach is my favorite place to calm myself and bring a sense of solidarity into my life. Watching the waves roll in and out, boats go by, seeing the sunset…” — Carolynn Zalesak

8.

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photo via Meghan Croslis

9.

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photo via Kerry Ann Belford

10.

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photo via Amanda Talma

“I’ll entitle this one: depression atop a mountain.” —  Amanda Talma

11.

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photo via Lauren Landry Funderburk

“My husband suffers from depression and anxiety and still stands strong and faces the world every day. He is my rock, and an amazing father and husband.” — Lauren Landry Funderburk

12.

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photo via Dee J. Davidson

13.

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photo via Bridget Paris

14.

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photo via Jen Sprague

“This is me battling more than depression. I also have anxiety, PTSD and a solid fear of heights.” — Jen Sprague

15.

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photo via Leah Larsen

“Severe postpartum depression/panic disorder which required hospitalization. Have been battling major depressive and panic disorder since then. Had to go to an urgent psych center this Sunday for severe panic and relapsed depression. Today I faked it til I made it for a job interview.” — Leah Larsen

16.

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photo via Nichol Flemister

“Depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia. New hair cut. Life is beautiful.” — Nichol Flemister

17.

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photo via Megan Ann Themm

“Depression and anxiety. My husband took this picture of me when we were on a date not too long ago.” — Megan Ann Themm

18.

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19.

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photo via Tia Borkowski

“Depression, anxiety and PTSD. I am the face of mental illness and I still smile. It is possible for both.” — Tia Borkowski

20.

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photo via Amy May Moss

“Depression for me and anxiety for the boy. We still climb mountains.” — Amy May Moss

21.

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photo via Kayla Wientzek

“I have battled (and continue to battle) severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder since early childhood. I am in my early 20s now. Would you know it by looking at my picture?” — Kayla Wientzek

22.

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photo via Ashley Lawrence

23.

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photo via Francis Strait

24.

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photo via Katelyn Marie-Elizabeth

“The two of us battle together.” — Katelyn Marie-Elizabeth

25.

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photo via Maggie Justfan Downes

26.

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photo via Amanda Wright

27.

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photo via Laurie Newman

28.

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photo via Austin Lawrence

29.

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photo via Kirsten Marie Young

“Some of us have to keep going no matter what. And we have to cherish small moments like this.” — Kirsten Marie Young

30.

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photo via Allison Thompson

31.

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photo via Lori Plyler

“I live with depression and social anxiety. But nothing would stand in my way between me and that turkey leg at the Renaissance Festival!” — Lori Plyler

32.

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photo via Kristin Lynn

“I’ve lived with depression for 20 years. I consider myself a survivor. A fighter. I have been close to giving up but I am still here. This is me at a NAMI walk supporting a cause close to my heart and so many others.” — Kristin Lynn

33.

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photo via April Charisse

“Me on vacation. I love life! Have dealt with depression since I was a child.” — April Charisse

34.

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photo via Candice Diaz

“Anxiety disorder and depression sufferer. But I still try to keep a smile on my face. I will not let my mental health define who I am.” — Candice Diaz

35.

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photo via Kevin Walker

36.

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photo via Kristy Hindman-Cook

37.

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photo via Shannon Catledge

38.

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photo via Jessica Whisler

Bipolar, depression and OCD. All of us are born fighters.” — Jessica Whisler

39.

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photo via Paddy Ryan

40.

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photo via Cherice Marie

“Depression sucks. Chickens help.” — Cherice Marie

41.

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photo via Amber Kelly

“Major depressive disorder and anxiety. I go to work every day and love and care for my patients. I smile, I laugh and I crack jokes and act goofy. I go home and love my partner and my cat. Some days there are less jokes and smiles and more nervousness and listlessness, but that’s OK because tomorrow is always new! My depression teaches me empathy and compassion — it makes me a better nurse. It’s hard, but it makes me a better person.” — Amber Kelly

42.

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photo via Nadia Melly Yanez

“Depression, anxiety and caregiver fatigue. And my son has severe autism and is non-verbal. But we keep going every single day.” —  Nadia Melly Yanez

43.

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photo via Olivia James

44.

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photo via Kim Morand

“I have these crappy things called bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD and chronic pain, but they don’t define who I am — a wife, a former nurse, a writer and a mom to an amazing kid. My life is beautiful despite what my illnesses tell me and I’m so thankful I have people who love me and remind me every day I’m worth the fight. So are you. Please don’t forget that.” —  Kim Morand

Originally published: November 16, 2015
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