Dominique Browning discusses the reactions of friends and family to the recent suicide of Mary Richardson Kennedy and some of the common misconceptions about suicidal depression.In particular, she focuses on the sense of surprise some people feel when a loved one commits suicide. In her insightful article, she asks: “Is it possible that friends can be so blind to the depressed person’s suffering?”As someone who has battled depression off and on for two decades, my answer to that question is ABSOLUTELY. To be fair, the blame for this “blindness” falls on the shoulders of both the depressed person as well as their stunned friends and family. We depressed people are masters of deception. We are experts at fake smiles and forced laughter.

via Why Family and Friends Miss Signs of Suicidal Depression.