...it looks like muddy water and tastes like turpentine

can I just say that my little brother is by far one of the bravest and most badass people I have even met? good, because I just did.

when I fist started have issues with depression when I was 18, I would come home and cry to my parents. my mother, being the unfeeling creature that she is, had no idea what to do, and of course did and said all the wrong things. it's not her fault, she was just ignorant of the situation. the next time I entered a major depressive episode, I avoided my parents - well, my mom at least. and this past fall (episode #3) I pretty much avoided both of them.

my brother is having similar issues, and I think it took him a lot less time to realize that our mother is terrible at dealing with negative things. he called me today and we talked for 45 minutes because he wanted to know how I have felt and compare it to what he is feeling in order to paint a more complete picture for his doctor tomorrow. it is really starting to amaze me how alike he and I are. I don't mean likes and dislikes, but more fundamental character traits. For example, we are both happier when we are 100% in control, we are both very self-aware, we just...are finally starting to understand each other.

he is far braver than I, to be able to go through this while he is in the military and on the other side of the country.