Get over it!?

Imagine you met someone, in person or online, and they told you they had bone cancer or some other grievous cancer. They explain that they are seeing doctors and treatment is being given, be it chemo or other means. Yet, the cancer still affects them. Would you ever tell them to get over it, to stop whining and move on? Of course not- there condition is not due to their own actions or lack thereof. The same should hold true when dealing with someone who suffers clinical depression- as it is not something one can just decide to get over, like a sore throat or a headache. Clinical depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance. Yes, medicines can help to balance out the chemicals, but it is not a cure like a miracle. I have experienced, first hand and from others that many people deride those who suffer from Clinical Depression and tell them to get over it...stop for a second and consider what you are insinuating of the person: You are implying that they have the power to not be sad, to be happy and that they are choosing to be sad, to hurt. That is tantamount to telling someone with cancer that they can get over it. Granted, a person who suffers from clinical depression does often times have a bit of control, but not much. Many of us suffers went for a time untreated by therapy or medication and many of the views we hold of ourselves had settled into our minds by the time treatment started. You might compare it to a lump of clay; if you form a object from it and let it dry for hours, and then come back and try to reform it, will it do so easily? No. If too much force is used, it will break. Gentle, easy, precision is needed to reform it. The same is true of us as people. I am not trying to give people a reason to always mope around, as there are things we can do to help assuage some of our pains. What I am doing here, is trying to help some who may be quick to dismiss those with clinical depression as nothing more than hormonal, whiny, lazy people. If you want to help, but like a careful potter, using gentle methods that may over time, reform a person's view of themselves.