Hey... I'm really confused. I'm also kind of depressed. And that's where my problems start. I told my mom once, and have hinted at it lots of times, and she always just says "Oh, no you don't feel that way..." and gives me a sheet on making friends or talking because thats what usually brings it on. Really though, I've got lots of friends and the issue is that I still feel terrible over the slightest things.

I try and avoid my mom when i'm depressed because she doesn't understand it. She thinks I shouldn't feel that way, that I can just flip a switch and be fine. And I can always act that way, it's true. She just always makes it worse is all. So I feel guilty about avoiding her, but don't know how to tell her about this. I wish she would just listen to me instead of judging and deciding what about me is "wrong".

Am I right in withdrawing when I need alone time and don't want her to make it worse? Or is that as selfish as it makes me feel occasionally?
And should I try and explain it again or just accept that she doesn't get it?

Not that I'm really one to talk; I have a tendency to hide away myself. But if I were you I'd look up all the medical facts on depression, the finer points of it may be needed to explain to somebody else. Depression, as horrible as the fact is, is often only understood by others with the same problem. You need to state clearly to your mother that Depression IS a disease, sadness does not cause depression, rather it's the other way round. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and as you said, you can't just "turn it off" when you feel like it. I think if you try to explain it in a more scientific sense, then it's more likely that she'll sit down and listen to you.

I hope I've been at least a little help to you, as I don't tend to join in on these type of forums often. So ummm.... Yeah... Bye-bye >/////<