I always say i'm okay, chugging along. That lets them know that there's a down-side and if they want to know more they'll ask. Most people don't.

usually, I say, well, I'm hanging in there, day by day

I usually tell them “great” or “fantastic” when it’s through text.. my friends are only as human as I am, so I’d like to be their confidant when/if they need one.

I usually say "I can't complain." I'm only honest with my friends and family.

I always say something positive like "always great thanks" with a big smile on my face. I feel that I cannot inflict my depression or sadness on anybody. Most people don't really listen to the answer to that question, and I find myself answering purely out of having good manners. I suppose that is why a lot of people think I'm happy and positive. I have a great gift of hiding it. I am positive deep down, but it takes a lot to bring out that positive to the forefront of my thinking. So many things go wrong in my life, and really are out of my control, even though some people say that it's bad choices. They're not bad choices, as I've tried many, and just seem to end up the same way.