I wasn't struck with depression until I was 32. It has been with me most of the time since, except for a couple of hypomanic times. I really feel like they have tried everything but ECT, which I would turn down, because of the trouble I saw a friend go through with it. I expect to live with just different degrees of depression for the rest of my life. Right now I'm safe and that is the best I can hope for. I can still manage a "normal" life, at least, that's what other's see. So I'm satisfied.