I was diagnosed with depression when I was 15 and I have struggled--mightily at times--with it for the last 25 years. I have tried every treatment known-drugs, surgery, psychotherapy--but only one, VNS, was effective, but its effects faded after a year. I would like to hear from anyone who suffers from intractable, chronic depression, and would like to hear how they manage to cope with their illness, or fail to manage, or hope to function better with their illness. Thanks and good luck to all. As Carrie Fisher pointed out in Wishful Drinking, they don't award medals for those who must wage the War Within yet survive and function, but they should. I commend and admire all who soldier onward.