Suffering from major depression or living with major depression? Is there a difference? Do they mean the same thing?

The definition for suffering is the condition of one who suffers; the bearing of pain or distress.

The definition for living is possessed of or exhibiting life.

From those two definitions alone, there seems to me to be a difference in those two phrases. On a more personal level, I think there is a difference. To me suffering from depression means that the depression is in control of all my thoughts, feelings and life. Living with depression means that I am doing what I can to take control of my depression and not let it be the thing that runs every aspect of my thoughts, feelings and life.

I try very hard when I talk or write about my depression to use the phrase “living with major depression”. If I can say “I am living with major depression” it means that I am being hopeful about my ability to keep heading to a healthier frame of mind. Not to mention major depression is depressing enough, and “living with major depression” just sounds so much more positive than “suffering from”.

I know that this is a game of semantics and in the grand scheme of things for most people, it really would not make a difference which phrased they used. However, for me the phrase I choose to use is a very clear indicator, to me at least, where my mind is at that moment.

I think overall for me the use of positive words is part of my recovery process. It is part of finding the positive in all situations and an attempt at seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty.

Do you think the use of words can influence your state of mind?  What positive phrases do you like to use?