While I have lived with someone who has had depression, I have not had depression myself. Because of this, I can only speculate what it feels like to experience depression. Also, I learn about it from the experiences of those who have went through it or are currently experiencing it. Add to that that every person is unique and has different experiences.
One thing that I have found interesting is the stories of someone with depression talking about how they learned so much from the depression. Is it possible that depression can teach you life lessons? It may seem impossible or difficult when the depression is at its worst, but I believe that depression can give you lessons and gifts along the way. Now, I am not saying this is a preferred way of learning about life, but I am inspired by the stories of those who have taken their history of depression and turned it into lessons learned and/or looked at some parts of it as a gift.
Again, I can only speak as someone who has seen depression but has not lived it, but from my angle I have learned a lot along the journey too. Lessons about trust, loyalty, autonomy, dignity, compassion, and gratitude are just a few of many things I have really had to struggle with and grow as a person. They did not come easy, and again, it would not have been the way I would have chosen to learn those lessons, but they are there and make me who I am today. Although arguably easier for me to do, I have taken those experiences and tried to make myself and my world a better place in spite of it.
How about you? Do you see depression as a way to learn? Do you see that depression could be a gift in some way? It may seem odd to think about it this way, but perhaps depression can give us some positives too.