First 'discovered' depression at the age of 9. 

My Father suffered severe depression as a result of losing his Mother in an automobile accident in 1938.  Because treatment was not available to him for a variety of reasons,  he suffered terrible bouts of depression all th time I was growing up.

I think I 'learned' depression from him. 

By the age of 18, was having frequent episodes, ranging from moderate to severe.  Suffered occasional episodes until at age 42 I plummeted into the depths during the deaths of my mother, grandfather, and grandmother.

After losing everything, I finally decided I was never, ever, going to feel so much pain again, and began to turn my life around.

I intend to post my thoughts here from time to time, but for a full read of my story, go to http://morambler.wordpress.com