HOW WE DO IT My Invisible Illness

Like millions of others, these women may never be cured of the chronic conditions most people can't even tell they have. Here, they share how they move forward.

- 

MARTHA AGUILAR

Lacey, WA

Living with: Depression

It's hard to pinpoint when I started to experience depression. It's not as if there is an X-ray or a blood test that tells you your sadness has morphed into depression. But in my early 20s, I started to have crying episodes I couldn't stop. I didn't fully understand why this was happening, but I would have to get into bed until the episode was over, which often took several hours.

Years later, I had an episode in which I almost took my own life. I was hospitalized and took leave from work for almost a year. I was terrified that I wouldn't ever be well enough again to support myself. I also felt the stigma of depression when people would say things to me like "It's not that bad-you're making a big deal out of nothing" and "Why can't you just get over it?" But I was open to trying anything that might help. I went to a therapist, took new medication, attended Buddhist meditation sessions, tried different coaching techniques, and saw a naturopath, among other things.