i dont think there's proof that depression or any other "mental illness" is a biologically-rooted entity. that might explain why "antidepressants" (the term itself is misleading...) tend to beat placebo a good bit in severe depression, but often fail to outperform placebo in mild to moderate depression.

maybe im just yet another disillusioned (bitter? LOL) "patient," but...you go to 2 psychiatrists, you get 3 diagnoses. "treatment" is all over the map. you have people with "bipolar" on stimulants, people "ADD" on antipsychotics, its...a hot mess, and its damaged a lot of people, too.

on a practical level...i find that my "problems" are a lot easier to deal with on 2 carefully selected, reasonably dosed psych drugs...for now. i also take tons of supplements, im trying to eat better and exercise more, and im getting the psychosocial stuff under control.

im not saying 'dont take the psych drugs!,' but i am saying...whoa. everybody and their mama is on something, and very few people seem to get 'better' from 'standard treatment.'