re: Are depressed people generally that way because of unrealistic expectations?

There is also a more complicated form of chronic depression known as dysthymia (neurotic depression). Complicated in that it doesn't have symptoms as severe as major depression but is mild depression that last for several years and is very difficult to get out of. I've had this form for a long time now. I had anxiety issues growing up that built and built until I almost had a full blown nervous break down. Almost as a defense mechanism I withdrew socially from friends and family and lost a lot of the pleasure in life. To this day I have a very hard time getting motivated to do basic everyday stuff and although I have plenty of friends I tend to isolate myself. There are worse things to have but chronic long term depression is a serious thing and can really effect you quality of life. I just attributed it all to my personality and never realized it was treatable. I regret not knowing and getting counseling/medication because it has robbed me of a lot of good years.

As for having unrealistic expectations, I don't think that's the main issue with depression. The bigger issue with clinically depressed people is they usually have anxiety disorders or other mental illnesses going on at the same time. Battling both can be physically and mentally exhausting and stress inducing which makes the conditions worse. If anything, depressed people shut out the world and lose all ambition. Expectations (met or unmet) are irrelevant to clinically depressed people.