Major Depression is a medical psychiatric illness, a chemical imbalance. When the person tries an antidepressant ordered by the doctor, often it takes several weeks to produce a noticeable improvement. It may be all wrong and have to be adjusted or changed. There is a certain amount of trial and error in medicating the depressed patient, and behavior may be affected.

I have noticed that my family and friends misunderstand two aspects of Depression. First, Depression is different from, and far worse than, "being depressed." People ask me, "What are you depressed about?" Situations in my life may be one factor in my hiding away in bed, but Depression is not merely a reaction to something going wrong in my home or workplace. I should not be blamed for being sick, any more than cancer patients should be blamed for having a tumor. But even my friends who have suffered from mental illness say that they feel guilty for neglecting their ordinary responsibilities.

Second, Depression pushes down the otherwise active patient until he is unable to function well. Yet, people will say angrily, "Snap out of it!" Good housekeepers, workers and parents can slump under the weight of Depression, and regular work slows to a standstill. People will say, "You used to be such a good housekeeper and keep yourself clean. Now look at you, a slob!"

In reality, the depressed patient needs to get through the depressive episode until he can improve his lifestyle. If people would only learn this, perhaps they would comfort the person, helping him to regain his mental health without blaming him for his laziness.