Well, I never thought I'd admit it in an open forum, but yeah, I've been there man. I've been in and out of depression for a long time now, currently, I'm doing pretty good. I've gotten my life turned around and have gotten myself to where I actually enjoy being around a crowd again. For those of you that haven't been there, that's a big deal. Here's my story though..
I have a brother that is Downs Syndrome, he's 2 years older than I am which puts him at 30 years old. I have the picture perfect family. We are all extremely close, would do anything for one another at the drop of a hat. We're all each others best friends.. Mom, Dad, brother, sister, and I are inseparable. I grew up in a well-to-do family, but had to pay my dues growing up. I had more given to me than most, but I was also taught why I needed to be humble about that. But still, somehow I wasn't happy with my life. The only thoughts that I could ever get through my head were as follows... "f*** my life, nobody understands where I come from, all they see is my parents made something of themselves, which makes me look like a f***ing snob to all the people I want to hang out with". Which, that thought was always followed by "Why the hell am I stressing about what others think about me, I have my morals, my (personal) reputation for being a nice person, and I have something that so many people don't. That being a stable, loving family."
Now, both of those thoughts literally beat the shit out of each other in my head for years and years. By that time, I'd been to a shrink, been prescribed zoloft a couple of different times, and had my balls busted by my friends and sister so many times I couldn't even begin to count. On top of that, all the sudden I started having panic attacks. I still have them, actually had one 2 days ago for no apparent reason whatsoever. I was at work, having a really good day, and all the sudden I felt my heart start hurting. Maybe 3 minutes later I was in a full out sweat soaked sprint through the plant to my car to get a Xanax (yes, it's prescription). It all adds and adds up. There is a breaking point. I've been there, and the breaking point you mentioned earlier DOES NOT have to be as severe as you might think it does.
What finally broke me out of my doldrums was the absolute simplest thing in the world. It was my brother. I've fought for him, bled for him, been punished for him at several times in my life. He's extremely high functioning, but fawk.. middle schoolers and high schoolers are just looking for popularity in the easiest means necessary. The shit I dealt with then for him.. It finally hit me one day when he and I were driving down the road. He was talking about 'back in the day', back in high school. The words out of his mouth were "Oh man.. I want to go back to GRC so bad, I loved it there" That hit me like a ton of bricks. How on Gods green earth could someone want to go back to the place that I saw so many people try to inflict pain upon that person just for laughs. How could someone not even give a shit, yes he remembers the assholes, but how could he not at least feel any disdain at all? That's when I figured it all out.
Such is life. He has not the first hateful bone in his body. All he wants in life is to love and be loved. Nothing more, nothing less. He will never ever forget a face or name, because that is what is important to him. And rightfully so, we should all be more like that. Life is so simple to him. He understands all the drama to an extent, but more or less chooses to ignore it. It's either a great day, or tomorrow will be better. I owe everything about who I have become today to him, he has taught me more than anyone in this world could about what I should and shouldn't let get me down.
Now this part is going to sound like a PSA, but you really ought to give it a shot. Go see if you can volunteer for a special needs group one day. Yeah, I won't lie, it will be really awkward for you at first, but give it an hour and I PROMISE you, there is no better feeling of helping these peope out... Start small, then re-introduce yourself to life brother!! "thumbsup"