I have had very little time in my life when I've NOT been depressed. Maybe like 3 years if you add it up? It's absolutely laid waste to my life. There have been few rays of hope med-wise, now we are looking very carefully but of course that takes months to years. I am trying DBT. If my life is stable and relationships strong, that's when I'm least depressed. I can bounce back pretty well in that very rare situation.