What specific debilitating disease? Should have said the name. Then I could have googled it.

#06 - The OP said they suffer from a DISEASE, not a DISABILITY. There are numerous debilitating diseases out there that would prevent someone from going to work or school. It's very tactless of your aunt to have said something like that to you, particularly if you've been to the doctor. This situation is a hard FML, because it all depends on how the OP is acting... Still, FYL for having to deal with someone who can be so rude.

#82 You have obviously NEVER experianced a depression. You simply CANNOT form the thoughts needed to get yourself to do what you describe. Are you aware that most suicides happen when people are coming OUT of a depression because when they're in it, they cannot even motivate themselves enough to do it. It's a horrible disease, and if you really think it's a matter of will power, you have never had it, nor known anyone who had it.

#84, Bullcrap. Fail. Whatever you want to say. You are telling us that depression physically disables your legs to the point that you cannot walk? Lets see some proof on that one.

#85: do your research, you'll find out.

#86, I have worked in a counciling center, and none of the trained staff would agree with that statement. I feel no reason to look up your claims. You are the ones making them, you can back them up. You may also want to look at the other comments I have been making. I am simply stating the fact that depression is not as debilitating as an actual physical disability such as broken legs, and the example has been getting out of bed. The argument was made that it is no harder to get out of bed and walk with two severely (think compound) broken legs and no medical treatment than it would be to get out of bed when you are merely a bit depressed.

#87: Actually, it is not I who make things up rather #84. And I highly doubt you worked at a counseling center since you misspelled it. So get your facts straight before you lie. Merely a BIT depressed, of course you would be able to get out of the bed if you were a BIT depressed try SEVERELY depressed.

#88, So I made a typo on a site like this, big deal. My spelling and typing acumen has nothing to do with my technical skills or ability to work in any given office. So, exactly how depressed can you get before your legs stop functioning? This is the first I have ever heard of that. Most of the counselors say that getting out of bed is actually the best first step possible. They all seemed to advise something along the lines of getting up, taking a shower, and getting out of the house as the first step to moving on. Lying in your own filth and sleeping all day only compounds the problem, as not only do you feel like a failure, but often you are, since not going to work or class only compounds issues. Failing a class or getting fired for not showing up negatively effects you. I find it odd that people here are claiming that it is *physically* impossible to get out of bed. Since someone ought to get the ball rolling, heres a link that not only fail to act like it is impossible to get out of bed, but actually go ahead and advise getting out of bed: http://www.ccfa.org/living/depression/outofbed

These diseases are all lies

#89 You are correct in saying that even the most severe depression does not physically disable one's legs. However, what #82 and others are saying is that severe depression mentally disables one's legs (in this specific case of not getting out of bed). A better comparison than a broken leg would be someone with a broken back, whose legs are still in perfect working order but the instruction to move cannot get through. In a severely depressed person, the instruction is blocked before it even leaves the brain. You are also correct that getting out of bed and getting out of the house are beneficial, but why do you think psychologists feel the need to actually say such things? It's because depressed people have such trouble doing so and need some help doing so. Also, your link is not to a website devoted to mental health, which only provides superficial advice aimed at people who are just sad or have weak depression, not severe depression.

#89 IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LEGS. You can't motivate yourself enough to get out of bed. There's no hope, you want to do nothing but die if you are severely depressed. Severe depression can affect someone's life terribly, and there are physical ailments that go along with depression quite often.

I know how you feel - I was supposed to be going to an elite doctoral school this year. Free tuition, stipend of $25,000, free apartment. Instead I got to at least one doctor each week. The only support I've gotten from my family is being yelled at for being sick and told I'm just too lazy to want to work and do anything (did I mention that I paid for my own bachelor's and masters degree by working full time because they wouldn't even co-sign on a loan to help me out?) I'm lucky on the days I can stay awake 6 hours. They say I like sleeping. I can't be in the same room as a television - they tell everyone I decided to not work because I want to watch movies all day long. Thank god for my bf or I'd be living in a dumpster right now. I've got proof of my condition, they tell me that all 3 specialists treating me just don't know what they are talking about, and they (my family) knows everything thats wrong with me. They've even yelled at me for eating the diet specifically tailored to help me instead of eating the food that would put me in the hospital (ie fruits, potatos, soy)