Hello Red Panther....
I have a brain injury....with memory loss.....and I suffered depression as a result....of the injury.....I may not know what your experience is like...yet I feel your words as a connection to some of my life's living....

Because of my brain injury I really studied the brain...through the use of some of my doctor's libraries....there are things I read that stay with me....and looking for someone else about the addiction/brain connection of tobacco.....I came to a section by chance about the brain and depression.....It was very interesting...as someone I was close to was VERY depressed...and would do nothing for it....

Here are my findings...of course using the words as they form in my understanding...not an exactness from the books wording....

I found it very interesting...in that people take all these medications for depression...yet none of them are given as a way to feed the brain's need...to relieve the depression....they are drugs...given...to allow the coping of living WITH depression....

I feel a bit anxious writing these words knowing it is a space held by doctors...yet this has made sense to me...as I have family that are depressed and on anti depressants for decades...and there is not really an improvement of that....

It spoke of the chemicals in the brain....my wording here....that we are born with an amount....if we are depressed and deplete the supply that gives us relief....it is not a chemical that the brain or our body can refurbish on our own....it must be fed to us from another outside source....that and accompanying...talking therapy to address what gives the depression.....was the best results in healing depression...not just living with it....

In my case....going to Holistic Doctors...I was given an herb....and in the case of the friend I spoke with....their refusal to go to a Doctor....though agreeable to taking the herb...which I spoke to a friend of theirs who was a doctor and knew them....after years of deep depression....the kind where a frown was on their face so deeply....and they walked around muttering to themselves incessantly....after just a few months....of taking this herb....the depression fell away.....

I do know the reasons of depression are not the same for all....the doctors told me to expect it because of my brain injury...I had an open skull traumatic brain injury....my brain swelled....they said because my brain slammed around in my skull there was no way of knowing the bruising that occurred...where it was bruised....

I did suffer depression....one of my doctors was always telling me....I had reason to be depressed....I did years of therapy and group therapy....that being able to look at your own mind and thoughts...to see the pattern of your reactions...was most helpful in going forward with my life....

I do see in my families case...I told them of the herb...yet it can not be taken in conjunction with their medications...and you can't just stop taking antidepressants....their choice also...was acceptance of medication as being the way they would live....and they also refused therapy.....I got them to go a couple of times...different ones....One I felt was doing nothing for them...and urged them to try another....Who I felt WAS helping them...yet it was too painful for them....they did not wish to examine deeply the conditions and choices in their life....they were more acceptable to being depressed on medication....than delving into what happened in their life........it is kind of wounding that sadness for them...

I do not feel it is appropriate to say the name of the herb....yet I could freely say...that maybe you could try going to a holistic doctor...for it is well known this herb...and they would have the knowledge...to support you with wisdom...the application if you are on other medications....

I still have times where depression rolls into my life...there are things I have discovered work for me....just BE-ing with it...without fighting it or seeing it as bad...is very helpful....for me....and I try....try....and look at my thoughts and actions....or at least to shine understanding....of my own truth...in my life....sometimes it makes no difference....and sometimes...it allows me to breathe more freely....

I wish you comfort...and peace in your mind...and heart.....