Sharing your experience with depression may help

DEAR AMY: I'm a college student. I've suffered from depression since high school. I'm on antidepressants. Should I tell people (roommates, acquaintances, etc.) about my depression? I don't want them to be walking on eggshells around me, but I also don't want them to see my despondent behavior and draw their own (possibly inaccurate) conclusions. This is something that's difficult for me to talk about. I won't lie to you - I'm also afraid of the stigma of depression and of taking medication. The people around me are bound to notice my bad days, and I don't know how to explain myself. What should I do?

Depressed Student

DEAR DEPRESSED: You don't have to be a personal ambassador for depression, but you could help to remove a bit of the stigma by being honest about it to the people you trust and feel closest to.

You have depression and you are coping with it. Your depression isn't your fault and you can't control how people react to it.

You might be surprised to learn how common depression is - among people of all ages.

Keep in touch with the counseling center at your school for professional help as you continue to manage this disease.

DEAR AMY: Responding to the question of what to do with your wedding gown (after you've used it), I got married in a sophisticated Jessica McClintock ensemble of white lace jodhpurs, a black silk jacket and a lace jabot. This Halloween for our neighborhood pet costume contest I made my cat, Roscoe, a wedding dress and used my lace jabot as his veil. Roscoe won best in show! Of course, my jabot went back in the cedar chest afterward.

Proud Cat OwnerDEAR PROUD: And people say cat owners are a little eccentric. Imagine!