I think to some extent wiring has a lot to do with mental health issues like depression. i also think environment plays into it-the whole nature vs nurture idea. i do not think it dooms us to feel like **** forever though. I think taking an active role in your recovery can be a good thing. To me that means: therapy and sticking with it even if its uncomfortable. Medication and proper medication management by a knowledgable doctor. The willingness to leave your comfort zone even if it feels bad. Just because certain things feel uncomfortable doesnt mean we shouldnt do-or try to do them. I went through a bad period of agoraphobia after a traumatic event. My therapist had me read up on exposure therapy and I tried it. Exposure therapy does not work with every issue or phobia but for me it helped. I was afraid to leave the house or drive unless my husband took me somewhere. So I started by walking to the mailbox to get the mail and back for a week. Then the corner and then around the block. Same with driving. I started by driving to the corner and back, then only around my neighborhood, then to the store, then locally only and eventually I became the person I used to be and I had overcome it. YMMV though.