Isn't modern therapy all about changing your thinking and attitudes? I think in large part it is.

And c'mon. Compare mental health in the 60's compared to now.

I am not sure but we seem to disagree on the nature of depression. I see it as much more biological. Even if caused by environment alone like trauma or abuse, that changes biology and chemical interventions can help, not cure.

You seem to draw a huge distinction between modern psyche drugs (synthetic) and herbs tinctures and supplements. I do not draw that distinction. They are all chemicals and can help. You yourself use them. I don't want to start an argument because I think we probably mostly agree.

Modern forms of therapy, studies on meditation, and such I think are big advancements in mental health. More so than drugs. CBT and meditation is proven to change the brain.

If TMS turns out to be very effective how can we say that it only alleviates symptoms and nothing more? It may very well be a cure. If the source of the problem is how one region of the brain communicates with another is all whacked and TMS corrects this that could be called a cure.

I know causes and treatments are very complex and I agree that the resilience of the human spirit to overcome and deal with adversity plays a huge role. This often means a total change in thinking and dumping beliefs that are not working and a whole shake up of what has been taught to you or you somehow incorporated into your being.

I have bought into this idea that there is no cure for depression but only the alleviation of symptoms. I have not found a cure for me, but I do not know if that idea is true. The same argument is had with alcoholism. If someone gets effective treatment of whatever kind and with the human spirit they never have depression again, I would say they are cured. But then even though I have not had a drink in 19 years I don't know that I can say I am cured of alcoholism or that it is in remission. So I dunno.