A Surprising Reason Why Depressed People Do Not Get Better

That makes sense. However, the article seems to indicate it's how they identify themselves.

Perhaps it's a chicken v egg question? Is depression the disease or the symptom to some as yet unidentified / unnamed malignity? Yes, I understand that's a stretch but this article lends itself to such questions.

I am not bothered by that at all. There’s plenty of roles I play during the course of a day — an x at work, a parent at school, and a $condition patient at the doctor’s office.

None of that implies that I am not seen as a full person. It’s simply a shortcut that specifies a situation, and not a judgement on my identity.

Especially with physicians I actually appreciate to be called by my condition. Doctors need to switch context with every patient that it’s surely beneficial if they can quickly focus their mind on what they should treat in me.