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Sorry for joining the fray so late ... I was confused about where this discussion was located/what the parameters were, etc. (But I'm here, so ...)

I like what Sophie is saying a lot, and Ryan -- and to some extent Martin, too, even if there is disagreement between the three. I think it does get complicated when we begin to talk about a truly biological perspective, though, because what does that mean? In a way, what Martin is describing can be both biological and also purposeful ... A person might be born with less of a predisposition to enjoy social behaviors,  and might end up choosing to live alone -- and therefore this (and other factors) could trigger depression ... But this depression could have not only some more of biological basis, but also a biological manifestation (complete with chemical changes in the brain). So has this person made a choice? I know that, at least in terms of personality disorders, at least under today's dianosis rubric, many practitioners factor in whether or not the person's behavior is disturbing to the "afflicted." Lots of people who could be diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder will never find themselves in therapy, because they are perfectly happy (or not imperfectly unhappy). So are they making a choice to be less social? Maybe not. And yet is it depressing them? Or is it even necessary to diagnose them? Perhaps not, as well.

I think the stigma discussion is interesting as well ... Certainly, as theories of biology have changed, the stigma towards families with "mentally ill" progeny have changed. (Up until relatively recently Theodore Lidz' theory of the "schizophrenogenic parents" directly causing schizophrenia held widespread acceptance.) Still, it is true that destigmatization can neither "cure" a perceived illness, or is it really possible. Certain behaviors are deemed socially unacceptable -- in my mind, some for better reason than others. Still, as my writing mentor has reminded me while I try and market a novel about, of course, a depressed person, "People don't like to hang out with depressives," and this is generally true. Anxiety, depression -- the manifestations of other "mental abnormalities" -- are generally unpleasant, not just for the afflicted, but also for those around them.