> My theory is that both ADD and depression (and other similar "illnesses") are caused by the world around us and how we behave in it. Basically, our circumstances.

For 15 years I believed that. In that time, I consistantly changed my relationships, hairstyles, personality, handwriting, college majors, colleges, music I listened to, jobs, jobs, and more jobs.

It wasn't until I had a husband I didn't want to give up AND job I didn't want to quit that I realized the problem wasn't 'out there'. There was something wrong with me if I was never truly happy.

I tried therapy but I couldn't make myself believe that what they were telling me was true.

Thankfully, I had a husband, sister, and boss that were able to help me believe that clinical depression is not something that's just going to go away, it's not something I could 'fix' on my own, and it's not my fault. Clinical depression is a serious MEDICAL issue and requires close supervision by a doctor when first trying medication.

After seeing my family doctor and getting prescribed Paxil, things are completely different. There are still days where I feel like everything is going wrong but I'm better able to deal with it. And I can convince myself that yes I am worthy to live.

Yes, sometimes I do still feel depressed but now I'm able to cope.