I too suffer from depression, for a looong time. What I notice is that people have a misconception about the symptoms. In my case, there is little desire to strive for the joyful things in life, and it is that constant state of mind that creates a persona that I reflect to the world. It's not that I don't want to feel the joys of life, I just have a constant view of myself that I'm not deserving of them, and it is this that propagates itself over all aspects of my personality, whether it be with family, friends, work, or matters of the heart.
I have been working on it for the better part of twenty years now, and especially the last sixteen since my daughter was born, if only for her benefit. But it is hard to convince yourself that you are a good person worthy of love and attention when for your whole life, deep down inside, you never actually believed it. I have gotten a lot better, but know that I still have a long way to go.
I should note that this forum has helped me tremendously in being able to honestly express my thoughts, opinions, and beliefs freely as I feel them in my mind and heart, and I feel it is a tremendous credit to all of you, the DTF, that you have accepted them openly, freely, and without prejudice. For that, I sincerely thank you.