I feel like this author has simply failed to adequately deal with her depression and sees her depression has a logical consequence of the world around her, rather than her own (distorted) beliefs about the world.

I think David Burns in his book "feeling good" deal well with the concept of 'realistic depression':

"Depression is an illness that always results from thoughts that are distorted in some way. For example, when a loved one dies, you validly think, "I lose him (or her), and I will miss the companionship and love we shared." The feelings such a thought creates are tender, realistic, and desirable. Your emotions will enhance your humanity and add depth y