Well there might be hope because you are showing you have power over your depression imo. How? Cause you pull yourself out of it after two weeks taking the meds. Honestly...that's not the pills doing that job...that's YOU!!
I have lived with depression for about 15 years and I've just sort of accepted that's the cycle of things. I have a good few years...and then I have the dark periods. I dont' like the side effects of meds either. Anyway...when I feel like I'm going into a depressive episode I get out my notes such as "remeber this is the cycle, you'll come out the other side" "remember you have come thru this before" I dunno...stuff like that. I keep them around....everywhere...so I can see them. And I think it's enough to remind me....I can get thru this...that I WILL get thru this.
Again..I think it's great promise that you get yourself out of the episode so quickly and without meds. Just to say again...I know you take them...but it's probably the placebo effect.
Can't help with the stress really...I don't suffer from that so much. Just...give yourself a break. This is the way we are wired.....it's the cycle of things. At least that's how I get thru. Good luck
