depression

No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar. Duh.

I speak openly about my experiences with this darkness because on the surface, I appeared to be functioning in a "normal" capacity. Even the bits of acting a bit more removed or sad were considered acceptable by our culture, but underneath a storm was raging. This storm disconnected and isolated me to the point where I literally could not feel love--even the love inherent in our beautiful earth. I think that's what I want people to hear most. The person suffering is using all of their resources to withstand the turmoil of sadness and loneliness that escape and running away becomes the only known peace. I speak from my own experiences swimming in that water, and withstanding the wind and hail.