@jakedduck- Without getting into specific words your implications, how your words come across to others, can be hurtful because they imply that we just need to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and be strong and if we don't than something is wrong with us. You know that even if you do not use those specific words, they way you say them, how you phrase them can imply something different and this is what I am talking about.
There are no alternative treatments that can cure depression. I said this before. Yes, there are alternative treatments, they aren't cures though, they are just treatments.
You are correct- there is no known testing or known cause for chemical imbalance, a term that I used. Please read this link
https://www.healthline.com/health/chemical-imbalance-in-the-brain#causes
@jakedduck- Your method of controlling your panic attacks is a very personal one, but panic attacks are not depression.
It's difficult to express to someone who has never experienced depression what it is. I describe it as best as I could in my post about PTSD:
https://my20yearscancer.com/ptsd-lung-cancer/
I think that unless we are doctors we shouldn't try to explain our understanding of research, percentages, etc. We just don't know enough to do so. Relaying our experiences that are appropriate - meaning that you have experience in what is being talked about and supportive phrases is what connect is all about.
With depression Jake, you just can't try and relate you have to have had it to do so. I hope that you never have to experience it so that you can.
Everyone realizes that you love and care about them here. But sometimes it's best to just sit back, listen and read what we have to say without trying to fix us when you really have not experienced what we have and can not be supportive with what is being talked about. That will show us more love than you can imagine.
Feel free to message me if you still want to discuss this.