[blind archer]

for those who have been successfully treated from depression, do the irrational negative thoughts, the uncontrollable pessimism, completely go away?

I was prescribed antidepressants. what other things should i do while taking them to maximise their effect? try to force in positive thoughts? try to pretend to myself they are working? my hopelessness is making me feel no medication in the world will help and I'm afraid that somehow might be made true by the nocebo effect.
I have been taking them for 12 days and observe nothing positive

[Altered Moment]

They can take up to 6 weeks to work or longer if they are going to work. It is the general consensus that even if a med works it is only part of the solution. Meds can put you in a position to work on things.

the best results come from meds and therapy.

You can also teach yourself CBT, take up meditation, exercise, eat well, get good sleep, have a good support network outside of professionals.

I don't think pretending a med is working if it is not is helpful. Give it time and if it doesn't work try another. Try all the other things that are proven to help in the mean time.

Just google treatments for depression. Or CBT or DBT
Some good articles on this site.
Psych Central: Depression: Articles

[Altered Moment]

my hopelessness is making me feel no medication in the world will help and I'm afraid that somehow might be made true by the nocebo effect.

My experience is that either they work or they don't. If they work you will definitely notice it and yes they can take away the hopelessness and pessimism. I have been on many of them with limited success but recently got on one that has worked like a miracle. I also started therapy again. You will hear 4 to six weeks but personally I give them 8 weeks to give it a fair shot and if it doesn't work try another.

If I am in a severe depression something like exercise is something I just cannot get up the motivation to do. If I am in a moderate one many things do work. Like forcing myself to do some work, or exercise, or getting out with family or friends. Sometimes it snaps me right out of it. Very severe is a whole different ball of wax for me.