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Becoming depressed at such an early age and surviving it is an accomplishment. I had my first experience with depression in childhood as well. I never told anyone. I have experienced depression off and on most of my life. I have had suicidal thoughts day after day, but I made a choice when I was 15 that I would not commit suicide as six other relatives had done. I made the choice because of a relative who was the single mother of 5 children who killed herself. I felt a lot of compassion and empathy for her, but also for her children, and the legacy it left them. I don't blame her, but I am so grateful for the choice I made, and make over and over when I have suicidal thoughts. The things that happen in my brain when I am depressed, are not me, the feelings, the thoughts are not me. I am the one who survives, who goes to work, raised two children who do not have to grieve a mother who fell victim to suicide. I had to realize, that even when life isn't fun, life, even the worst life holds great significance, and in my right mind I will not forget that.