He thinks if he can get me out of bed or get me a new job I will get better. If I tell my parents that I am feeling down, they call every day to ask me if I took my medication. The reaction of others almost always plays a major role in how well a person deals with depression. However, one's own attitudes about depression can cause a person to go without medicated for years, even for a lifetime. Many depressed people attribute their sadness directly to their life situation and think nothing more of it.
Depression is completely different.
There are distinct symptoms. The symptoms of depression can vary depending on the person's personality and past experience however, there are common symptoms to look for. Social isolation is probably the most common symptom for depression. Other symptoms are lack of motivation, insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability and anxiety. Another thing to look for is changes in personality.