I can relate to this a lot... I also suffer from arthritis. It is not always very bad for me, but at times I can't get out of bed or get dressed because of it.

I think it may be human nature to not understand, maybe as an avoidence tactic because people don't want to deal with the pain of others. Even when mental health isn't an issue. I have a close friend who has suffered severe arthritis much longer than I have, and one of her big complaints is friends and relatives who are caring, want to help, want to understand, seem sympathetic... but then they'll make plans to do something like a shopping trip and if she can't make it, maybe has to cancel the day of because of her arthritis, they get all upset and treat her like she is being selfish. Like the arthritis pain is something to be sympathetic about until it effects something in their lives... gee she can't come out and play with us, it's that arthritis excuse again.

It is infuriating even to me. I don't think I've ever treated her that way even before I fell with arthritis myself. At least I hope not.

With depression it is even worse because it makes us distrust and feel worse about ourselves even more.

Even so, I would hope that a professional would know better, but I guess that isn't always the case either. I think that most of my doctors understand my depression, and my therapist understands my physical ailments and how they effect my life and my depression, so I think I am very lucky in that regard. Friends don't really understand though, most accept the physical problems at least.