I am sorry, Ian. My son was just recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It is hard knowing a loved one is struggling with depression, but it must be even worse being the person with depression. If you need help, you can pm me also.
People have a lot of misconceptions about mental illness. Many people act as though being depressed is a lack of willpower. It isn't. I linked to an article about a Harvard study that discusses the complex way chemicals in the brain and your genetics play in depression. Maybe you could explain to your grandmother the causes of depression so she will understand it better.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-m...depression
People have a lot of misconceptions about mental illness. Many people act as though being depressed is a lack of willpower. It isn't. I linked to an article about a Harvard study that discusses the complex way chemicals in the brain and your genetics play in depression. Maybe you could explain to your grandmother the causes of depression so she will understand it better.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-m...depression