Dealing with co-workers while depressed. Why are people so mean to those who are depressed. As if they are being mean on purpose.

I was put on probation at work because of my lack of ability to handle personal relationships. Instead of handling it calmly, i handled a situation with outburst of emotions and I ended up being in the wrong, when in fact, I hadn't done anything wrong.
I am taking responsibility for my actions and have been trying to be quite and not create drama at all. I apologized, sincerely, yo the person whom I had conflict with but she insists on not taking to me.
They said that if I don't learn to get along with people, I would be fired.
What makes it hard is that now, no one speaks with me. They don't say hi and there is negativity in the way everyone looks at me.
I didn't do anything illegal. I didnt lie or gossip. I am merely depressed and now, I am being treated as if I did something horrible. How can I do better if I am always judged by my depression as of it is a crime? I have already taken responsibility and apologized and changed my behavior. How long will it take for people to look within their hearts and see that I didnt commit a criminal act. I am just depressed. And why are they so mean hearted and why do they make life more difficult for me?
Why are people so mean towards those who are depressed? This is a recipe for me to become worse.

While you are taking responsibility and are owning up to it, do people know that you are depressed? Also, people do not react well in the workplace to emotional outbursts... it may not be meanness on their part, but it is not socially acceptable, which may be where they are coming from. Depression does not excuse us.. we must control our reactions in the workplace especially. I am not judging by any means, as I have done this myself when I was younger... so I understand how it can be when you are under emotional duress and emotions just flow out. But one must be very careful with this in a workplace and always remain professional, no matter what is going on internally. You can look at this as a lesson learned.. you said you are already changing your behavior, which is very positive! Just be careful in the future.... is there a Human Resources representative you could talk to in your place of employment? They may be able to help provide some consolation for your depression and guidance on how to deal with the fallout/hostility. ((((Hugs))))

I agree with golden eve. Have you approached any of them with a friendly smile and hello? If you burned these bridges you may have to rebuild them. Good luck.

I have been nothing but kind and polite to my coworkers. I have taken responsibility.
As I tried to make it clear in my original post, that is the precise reason why I am more sad than before because I have taken responsibility, i have been polite, kind and with smiles. And my co-workers now that I am depressed. And, despite my efforts of taking responsibility and being kind and polite, they continue to be mean towards me. It makes me think they might be doing it on purpose.

It may take some time... some ppl hold grudges, but some don't. Just continue to be kind to them and hopefully things will improve for you. (((Hugs)))

I know this is a little different but I had a situation where everyone in the workplace turned against me after I was bullied by a coworker. Everyone treated me so badly that I had to quit and find another place. If people there are treating you really bad and don't change I'd find other employment and start fresh somewhere else.