I have dealt with depression much of my life and was profiled in Psychology Today last year:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/artic...ning-heartache

It is a tough illness and I think one that need to be approached in a multifaceted way. In my experience, there is no quick fix. I also know that my friends are critical to my mental health and the ones where I can be real, even if I am depressed, without judgment or attempts to fix me, are the ones to whom I am closest.

(I also write about this in my blog.)