For me, it's eight years. Atypical depression, but I also experience recurring phases of major depression.
I've been recently looking on a photo of me which has been taken before I got depressed. I was almost shocked by the energy and joy in my face. That person on the photo, I wpuld like to get to know. Today's me- no one would like to know me. Don't remember how it is to feel joy on a regular basis, to not feel despaired...