people deal with depression differently some take meds others dont and some have it short term or have had severe depression but have managed to overcome it. It does not last continously for life time for everyone. No one can say that its permanent illness for everyone and that no efforts they make by themselves can help them. I dont believe its related to chemical imbalance or genetics personally. these are perspectives which i dont relate to and dont find helpful to me. i do think its related to stress, trauma and hidden internalised surpressed bottled up emotions/feelings and self limiting unhelpful destructive beliefs and habits/patterns.