Ever regretted telling someone you had depression? I have. People who don't understand tend to have a bit of ''foot in mouth'' disease, meaning they ask questions that seem offense. And they may not even realize it. So, here's a few tips on what not to ask or tell.

1. ''Are you sure you're not just sad?''

No, just no. See, sadness is a regular emotion. I have a chemical imbalance, meaning that I have a lower amount of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine then normal. It's not something I decided. I didn't wake up one day and made the decision to have depression. The doctor diagnosed me. So, no. I'm not ''just sad.'' I was diagnosed. I was born this way, as Lady GaGa said.

2. ''Get over it.''

Another ignorant statement that I have personally been told and more than once. If I could, I would. Could you ''get over'' a broken arm? No. Like a broken arm, it takes time and healing to mend wounds. And even then you always have the chance of it coming back, because your arm is always fragile. There's always a chance of it getting broken again. So no, I can't get over it.

3. ''You control your thoughts and happiness.''

Do I? Because it seems to me that my thoughts control me. You can't tell me what I can and can't control. You can't tell me how to deal. If I could pick up happiness like picking up groceries at the store, I'd get a cartful. Maybe that mantra works for you, but frankly it just pisses me off.

4. ''So, your antidepressant magically heals you?''

5. ''Because you have MDD (major depressive disorder) how does that make your depression different?''

6. ''Depression doesn't sound like a real medical disease.''

Oh, but it is. Google it. It's as real as you and I. And the affects can be just as real. Depression has caused me to miss important events. Caused me to miss work and school. Has had an effect on my physical health as well.

And there you have it, these as my top choices, there is definitely more. These just stuck out to me. Thank you for reading!