I think this article is evidence that we are calling a lot of different things depression and they are not the same. Some of them did not used to be labeled as mental illness and probably should still not be today. Real depression is not something to be taken lightly and is certainly not caused by suddenly having to get yourself up in the morning or having to clean a toilet. If you have ever dealt with someone with real depression you would know it doesn’t seem to be caused by anything which is why it is so hard to treat and cure.
Learned helplessness- I did not know how to do my own laundry before I went to college. I think I turned out just fine. I graduated from college, have a family, have had a career for more than 20 years. Most of my friends and peers pay someone to do their laundry. I still do mine. Not having done something before and being helpless are not the same thing.