I want to provide you with a link to an article that I think is particularly thoughtful and well-written. The Globe and Mail published this article by Michael Redhill, entitled “Thoughts on Depression from an Artistic Mind” on August 16, 2014. Redhill had written the article in response to Robin Williams’ suicide, and I think that what he offers here is beautiful and important.
What I would add is that there is much hope in developing a therapeutic relationship with someone who you feel ‘gets’ you. Depressive episodes don’t entirely vanish; our tendencies stay with us, but the point of therapy is to, over time, diminish the power and intensity of episodes that used to overwhelm.