Possibly both could be true? That is, in some cases people mix small discomforts with big disorders, and think that big ones should be able to be solved in the same ways as small ones. Then in other cases characterizing severe disorders as incomprehensible by ordinary human intelligences make them seem "not like us"? I do not agree that depression is necessarily "impossible to get over without some kind of help" but it sure helps. Personally, I have found that making it seem that there is no connection between what ordinary people experience and what the more extremes experience to be inaccurate, and harmful.

Actually, maybe I do agree that it is impossible to get over severe emotional disturbances without some kind of help. It's just that help can come in many forms, and if you are alive it is most likely you have some contact with other people, and that can be of help. Personally, I have found things I have read by other people to be often of more help than advice and therapizing and medications from the ones supposed to be professionals in the field. But that is still help from others.