How can I make my friends and family understand that my depression is a serious issue, not just me being dramatic?

You can explain to them the difference between a “depressive" mood and depression. Depression is an actual disorder in which there, in many cases, is actually some kind of inbalance in the brain (usually, serotonin levels are lower than normal).This is why clinically depressed people tend to have to take medications as well as seek therapy. It is not just a mood and people need to understand the difference.

Well you cannot push your views on to others, but you can make them more aware that depression is a serious issue. One way is communicating with them the impact depression can have on ones livelihood. People with depression are suffering and it isn't something that just goes away. It is normal for people to have their ups and downs, but with depression is something that you cannot control.

Talk to them slowly, explaining how you feel and why you feel that way, (if there's no why, you can explain depression to them) You can always to talk to a counselor who can help them understand what you're going through (thats what i did)

I think that this is one of the many situations where honesty goes a long long way to building strong relationships. Talk with them frankly about your mood as it hits extremes, and be consistent with your communication. Make it clear when you feel bad, or frustrated and try to articulate why if there's a reason or how frustrating it is not to have a reason. There's nothing wrong with being dramatic or asking for help.

Tell them every little detail about what is making you feel bad. If they don't answer, just bring it to them all at once and they'll realize how awful you must feel

Well my first suggestion is to just talk, openly, from your heart. Tell them exactly how you're feeling, and if you can't explain how you're feeling..then tell them that. If just talking isn't working, there are lots of Youtube videos that do their best in explaining what depression feels like and is. This is a good one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

It may be helpful to start by sitting down with someone you can trust, even if that's someone outside of your family or group of friends. Talk to that person, and explain how you're feeling, and how depression is affecting you. Once you have one person that is able to accept that depression can be a very serious issue, they can be a support system, as well as help you talk to others.

Have a sit down, be serious, and use serious language (ie: Mom and Dad, I'm having some serious issues as a result of what I think is depression. These are affecting my social, physical, and mental health, and I need to do something about it. Please don't just think I'm being dramatic, but work with me to try and make myself feel better).

I have fought with this very topic, myself. While my friends understood a little bit, my family could not come to terms with it. I believe the biggest thing you can do is educate them. Depression is a serious thing and you need all the support you can get, in order to overcome this battle. Do your research about this disorder and if possible seek out professional help. My family didn't believe me, even though I felt I was completely right, until the doctors agreed that the depressions was really there and not a product of my imagination.

I think sitting down with loved ones and explaining how you feel and why - as best as you can - might be helpful. Emphasise that you really need their support. I guess it is important for loved ones to know so they can help you.