YES!!! Around the time I was first treated, mostly. Even from my doctor, of all people, one of the least supportive people I've ever met. My family, my "friends", acquaintances... very few people, in fact, seem to understand either of two very important things: 1: We have no control over depression, it JUST HAPPENS and 2: if we could fix it our selves, WE WOULD HAVE BY NOW!!!
It is very frustrating to hear things like that. Even something as little as a well-meant "Smile!" from someone who has absolutely no damn idea makes my heart sink. I know exactly what you mean.
There is something to be said for attitude, though. Recognizing symptoms and battling them by monitoring and altering your thoughts positively can be helpful, if you have the ability at the time, so it's not all garbage. But it is definately not that simple. No one liner is ever an all-encompassing solution.
Misery loves company... I guess that's a downfall as well as a blessing for any support group. Sometimes it's hard for people to deal with the emotions of others when they'e already having trouble dealing them selves, and they find that being around others who are depressed does actually bring them down by making them focus too much on the depression. Keeping positive is difficult. But if they don't have the energy to deal with depression in a depression support group, maybeit would be better to stick to one-on-one therapy until they are strong enough to help others as well?
Just a thought, I'm no expert.