[ WP ] Explain depression as though explaining to someone who has no understanding of it .

`` Well, it's like sadness, but it's very extreme, and does n't have a rational reason, really.'' I felt a little stupid trying to explain this to him, like I had any right. 
 
 
 `` Irrational? So it's insanity? Delusion?'' He asked with the same deadly mix of innocence and inquisitiveness that comes naturally to the very young. 
 
 
 `` Well, it's irrational, sure. But it's not really insanity, I guess. It's something wrong in the brain, like a chemical or something, that makes you very sad.'' I anticipated his next question before he could speak `` and there's nothing you can do about it on your own.'' 
 
 
 He was silent for a moment, then spoke almost timidly. `` I apologize, but I do n't understand. Many people are very sad, but this is not depression?'' 
 
 
 `` W --'' I stopped myself before saying'well' again, and took a deep breath to actually think before I spoke. `` Many people are just sad, and many others are depressed and do n't know it. When you're depressed, it feels like, if you just close your eyes and relax, you'll fall through the ground and be swallowed up. And you do n't care if that happens. You do n't care if you stop _being_.'' I could feel the tears coming, but fought them back. I do n't know if he'd notice the slight waver in my voice, or if he'd even know what it meant. 
 
 
 `` It is apathy.'' He said. His voice was more firm and reassured now that he thought he had a grasp on the concept. 
 
 
 `` That's part of it. But it's more than just apathy. It's a pain -- a _psychosomatic_ pain that does n't end. It's like a dull pain in your chest and your mind and it just gets worse and everything you see and hear makes you think you deserve-'' a sudden sob leapt into my throat and choked off my words. 
 
 
 He spoke, maybe just to give me a chance to compose myself. `` Instead of not caring if they stop being, they actively want to stop being. That is what happened to Sarah?'' He sounded a little sad. I did n't know he could feel sad. 
 
 
 `` Y-yes,'' I'm starting to lose it a little now. I want to double over and just weep. `` Could you please shut down for now? I need to be alone.'' My words come out thickly, and only with great effort. He probably wants to ask more questions, but does n't. He's innocent, not stupid. 
 
 
 `` Yes, good night.'' The mechanical irises over his lenses cycled shut, and the LEDs on his chassis dimmed, turning from green to amber as he entered sleep mode. I put my face in my hand, and started weeping openly. I tried to stop, but it clenched my gut and all I could do was press my head to my desk and sob piteously and incoherently. There was a metallic click nearby. 
 
 
 I looked up and saw Von's eyes open, his LEDs glowing green again. He reached out an unfinished metallic arm, and placed its handless end on my shoulder. `` She did n't deserve it. Neither do you. Please continue being.'' He pressed lightly on my shoulder for a moment in some approximation of a reassuring squeeze. My sorrow was replaced with shock at this reaction from him, for the moment at least. 
 
 
 I mustered a smile that I hoped looked genuine, and patted his wrist. `` I will. Thank you, Von.'' 
 
 
 He looked at me a moment longer, then leaned back, closed his eyes, and slept.
