What is your opinion on the opinion depression is "just an excuse for being lazy and weak-willed"?

I find that people that haven’t experienced depression often comment as if it is just an excuse people use for laziness and lack of will power, OR they compare depression to “sadness”. Personally this REALLY frustrates me, and it takes a lot of self control to stop my open palm making contact with their face.

What do you think of this opinion?

And do you think people are actually more depressed now than ever, or is it just more socially acceptable to seek help than it was 20 years ago?