I always find it interesting the way in which people choose to handle their depression. Personally having suffered for many years, since a child, I had investigated with various methods trying to determine why I had this continual blot on my life. Transactional Analysis was one, doing a 3month course, reading allsorts of literature and self help books. Each time it seemed I was getting closer to understanding the WHY but not able to control it. Eventually at the age of about 56 I decided to ask for counselling and was amazed at what the counsellor was able to do. I now know that above everything it's learning the HOW to deal with it - and that has been the greatest help. I know what sort of things will trigger me off - weepie movies being the worst, closely followed by romantic scenes whether on tv or reality - so stopping it from taking hold was the best thing to do. Having never had a good family background I know I missed out on a lot of family love, but never have I had any help from taking any sort of antidepressant. They just make me feel like a zombie and suffer "restless legs", Just don't see the point of going down that road.
However, I know many do get help that way but that has always been a puzzle to me as you still have the problem with you and sometimes it's more to do with genes and family traits.
