I Have been diagnosed with Depression for years and since i was a kid i suffered the symptoms. Up untill i was a teenager about 17 i confided in a T that i planned to kill myself knowing that she would find help for me. i trusted the T and my parents and my family feeling scarred and weird. I tried meds and psychotherapy and dident seem to work for a long time. My suicidal thoughts came back mildly and my strong urges to cut my arms. But i changed the way i thought. I sat back one day and thought, "Why am i always depressed?' I could think of millions of reasons and after a while it came to me. i dont HAVE to be depressed. I tried my best to say "i will graduate, i am special, i have talent and i am going to have a future." and soon enoufe that fake smile turned to real smiles. And i got more confident to do the things that i had been thinking. I got higher grades and my art talent got better winning me awards in my school with my peers and friends. Therapy and meds can only go so far, its the way you think that has to change. Now everytime i feel depressed or urges to cut or do anything else i sleep it off then think "Why do i HAVE to be depressed?"..the thing is I DONT!