I am risking to sound offensive, but here is my take. Mental illness, or emotional troubles.... is not a character flaw. HOWEVER, the way you deal with it is.

ADs can work in the way... that they are mind altering drugs. But that is all. They can take the edge off, or whatever. But they will not live your life for you. They will not give you any meaning and purpose. YOU have to do it. And in many cases finding that "something" can help one overcome their troubles (even without drugs). That is not to say you will be happy-happy-happy if you do things... but rather you will be more comfortable in your skin.

So drugs can work, if you are willing to do some work yourself. They can work if you have good support system that will nudge you in the right direction. If you live in some hellhole, with horrible husband and horrible job and none of it satisfies you, you come from a horrible family and never really learned how to cope with life... and then go to GP who throws AD at you in 15 minute slot, kthnxbai... then chances are, it will not work...

Depression is a complex, very complex issue. It could be partly genetic. Part can be nutrition and life style. Part is probably spiritual and existential. Life situation contributes.... it is not "like diabetes" and purely genetic.

That said...I think everybody has shot at life. Even people with horrible upbringing and long time emotional struggles... if they are willing to be open to solutions and changes and doing things... whatever it is. Important thing is though... while you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, you need to be the one in charge of your life and not expect others take care of you. Just because you struggle, doesn't mean you are broken and one should not be dehumanized for it (which I think the term TRD does in major way).