A little broadening of the topic, perhaps, but my opinion on 'chronic depression' is this:

When you think of something scary, your adrenal glands react, your sweat glands open, your body produces chemicals that ammount to the *sensation* of fear. the feeling of fear.

Likewise for love. or lust. or anger. The body's reaction is secondary to our thought patterns, it is not the other way around.

When we have a chronic condition such as depression, or anxiety, treating the chemical imbalances is only treating the symptom, not the cause. The cause is unhealthy though patterns and thinking style. The symptom is the depressing chemicals. This can become a self-enforcing cycle, and so it is easy for people to feel like they've become victims of their own body's chemistry, as if their chemicals were the root cause of depression, anxiety, uncontrollable anger, etc.

Medicine is a great helpful tool in interrupting the cycle, temporarily stopping the body's reinforcing chemical symptoms. But if the thinking style is not corrected, the body soon adapts around these drugs and heavier doses are needed, or newer, more powerful drugs.

I have worked closely with many people suffering from a diverse array of illnesses, including bipolarity, depression, anxiety even to the extent of agoraphobia, etc. and I can tell you that in EVERY case, the people who are convinced that their body is the cause, their chemicals, are the cause, are doomed to a life of heavy medication, half-living half-drugged, only happy when the pills kick in. On the other hand, people who endeavor to master their illness and PERSIST!!!! will almost inevitably become able to wean themselves from all drugs, and eventually establish a happy, balanced and healthy emotional psychology.

Of course, there's a huge money-making industry out there telling us all that our bodies are inherently malfuntioning, that we need drugs upon drugs to stay happy and healthy, and that there is no way we can help ourselves without paying them large sums of money in exchange for drugs for the rest of our lives.

To anyone in this tribe struggling with mood-affecting drugs, you must unlearn what you've been impressed with, growing up in the pharmacy society. I am convinced that the real answer is in your mind. It might be an uphill battle, for sure. Depression, anxiety, Mania, they didn't come to you overnight, they were established over a lifetime of erroneous psychology and they will take time to undo. During that time, drugs can be a great aid. But the end goal should always be, and trust me it can be, healthy and happy independence from drugs.

I eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, homemade soups, potatoes, rice, and fish, thats what most of my diet is made up of. To a lesser degree, pasta, beans, and chicken. I only eat red meat about once or twice a month usually. I drink a lot of water and usually get a glass a milk a day, but i eat way too much ice cream.
I have plenty of other unhealthy habits too outside of my diet that im sure contribute to the moodiness and the rest.
I know my sleeping pattern is ridiculous, i've been like that since my early teens, and its really catching up with me these days. Thats something i know i have to correct.
Thanks for the suggestions.