You told us: What it’s like to live with depression

Following the recent suicide of actor and comedian Robin Williams, many people began speaking out about their own experiences living with depression, suicide and other mental health issues.

We wanted to give Yahoo readers a safe and open place to talk about their experiences and share their stories, and so we asked you to tell us what it's like living with this disease.

Thank you for sharing your stories with us; hopefully the more people speak up about the issue, the less stigma there will be surrounding it.

Several people told us that they struggle with not having their condition taken seriously or being dismissed by friends, family and even their doctors.

Many also described their depression as suffocating or like drowning, the feelings overtaking them. Further, people say they frequently feel exhausted. Exhausted from fighting their depression, exhausted from trying to hide it from others, and exhausted from having to still carry on with the demands of daily life, in spite of their illness.

If you have the time, the comments on the original post are heartfelt, deeply personal and provide an in-depth look at what it's like to live with depression in your life. Here are some choice comments on what you told us it's like to live with depression:

"I don't know if all people with depression feel this way but I always think GLOBALLY. I feel the weight of the whole world and sometimes it's crushing, frightening and all-consuming. I see other people who seem so oblivious to what's going on in the world and they don't appear to care about anything outside their own 4 walls. Sometimes I'm jealous of how carefree these people are but then sometimes I'm amazed at their selfishness. There was a time, before I sought help, that if a doctor had told me I was dying of cancer, I wouldn't have batted an eyelash. People who do not suffer from this affliction have no clue but maybe now they won't be so quick to dismiss it. I'm exhausted a lot of the time from feeling this way and I'm an expert at hiding it from everyone because I care about people so much, I do not want to drag them down." - Brenda Barrington Lynch, Facebook

What is it like to live with depression? Well...it's after 3am where i live...the tv is on, I'm at the computer (obviously), I'm full of coffee and codeine and my ashtray is overflowing with butts...I can't sleep because my mind won't 'turn off'...I haven't been eating - except junk food - and I ran out of weed a couple of days ago, which makes things even worse. Now, I suspect that my personal situation is due to some ongoing stresses in my life right now...if certain things would calm down, maybe life would be happier - or maybe not - who knows? - Wendimac

"This is what depression is to me. It is a, years long decades long, continuous battle, with the demons, and it can be exhausting not showing the world, on the outside, what is going on, on the inside. Depression is more than just sadness. It is a black hole that sucks the essence of who you are, from your souI. I am very fortunate to have a career, I love, that gives me the motivation, to get out of bed, almost everyday, and function in the real world. About 15 years ago, my son was the reason I did not commit suicide. It could have been so easy do to, had he not been my saving thought." - Deb Manhire, Facebook

"Thank you for sharing, glad you made it this far. Are you not exhausted from the daily mental game of keeping those voices at bay? I'm 43 and work very hard at seeing the light at the end of the tunnel but it takes a lot of effort and energy I find it very exhausting." - ZenJenn

"I know that I can put on the face just like Robin Williams did when he was alive. He seemed like an outgoing person and happy all the time and that is the same way I act every day. You would never know the darkness that lives deep inside and how hard it is to remain even keel with all of the things I have gone through in my life. I wish that there was an easy fix; but family, friends, and loved ones are what can or cannot keep you going. You have to have the support of others even though they may not understand the feelings. Its hard to not feel alone some times with depression." - Michael Nulf, via email

"What is it like to live with? Well I don't think I have ever truly lived I just sort of exist. My issues have led to drug addiction, homelessness, suicide attempts-one that further injured my brain, repeated hospitalizations, self injury-cutting/burning, jail, isolation, poverty." - Emily

"But even doing all of this, doesn't make it go away completely. It is a fear/struggle every day. Some days I feel amazing. I feel normal, happy, relaxed, positive, and like woot I can take on anything. But then I don't what happens, but it all comes crashing down. Even the slightest bit of stress can send me spiraling and make me want to hide in my room for days. When I'm happy and calm, there's still a gloom in the back of my head because I wonder how long it's going to last and I'm afraid to sink back down. I am afraid of myself. I don't trust myself when that happens, and that's a horrible feeling. I don't trust myself to not hurt myself." - Elle

"Its a feeling of drowning, its suffocation, its being crushed, strangled, starved, beaten........ just think of the most horrible feeling you've ever felt; and that doesn't come close to how it actually feels. It's every horrible feeling being thrown at you, it's your heart being ripped out of your chest hourly, it's every horrible word in the English language racing through your mind every second of every day, non stop hateful things. Even though you know in yourself, none of it is true. Your own mind turns against you, hating you more than humanly possibly, tearing you down from inside, leaving no marks, no scars, no blood. No evidence, on the outside. Many people don't realize, you can't stop. You work every day to remind yourself you are worth the breath you breathe only fight yourself constantly: 'I am worthy' (you are such a piece of shit!) , 'I am good' (no one cares if you live or die) , 'I am wonderful' (who would care if you left?)........ It's a constant battle." - Therasa K Oliver, Facebook

"I experienced black holes of depression in my teens and early twenties. A combination of talk therapy and medication has kept me mostly stable. A network of friends is essential, and I am lucky to have an excellent GP." - Arly

"It is difficult to describe, because it is as personal and individual an experience as there are people with depression. Everyone has "bad days", but imagine your worst day in your personal history, and how you felt, and replay it day after day, as if you were stuck in that movie "Groundhog Day". After a few weeks, it would start to get to you. After a few months, you are a changed person. Nothing feels the same, tastes the same, or even sounds the same." - Lynda

Comments may have been edited for spelling, grammar and length.

If you have been affected by this article please visit www.suicideprevention.ca to be connected with the closest crisis centre. The site is available round the clock, every single day of the year, for anyone who is struggling to cope.