Meds help a lot. But they do take a while. I used to take a low dose of Prozac. Then, under significant stress, that no longer cut it. Nor did higher doses of Prozac. Finally was hospitalized, suicidal, and they put me on the highest dose of Cymbalta and a middle dose of Remeron on top of that. I've been on that now for 6 months. Still a lot of the higher stress levels in my life, and I am still quite depressed, due to new triggers. Wounds reopened. But I'm coping better, perhaps in part because of the meds. From what I've read, though, your brain changes somewhat the scientists now think, from repeated, prolonged depression, so it is more difficult to shake repeated episodes of depression. For that reason, the recommendation is to treat depression as quickly and definitively as possible when it first presents. Don't be discouraged--you can and will get better. But it may be harder than before. But, if you apply better resources and strategies, learned from your past, you may actually do better. Don't accept averages for yourself--aim for the best!