Depression should be labeled an auto-immune disease.
For one, it attacks not only the host body but also the mind. There are some circuitry malfunctions - chemicals, hormones, or both - that fouls the whole system up.
Like other auto-immune diseases, depression is often triggered by an inciting incident. Whether large or small, it is trauma to the mind and body, and it lights the fuse on a condition that has always been lurking.
Also like other auto-immune diseases, you treat the symptoms accordingly. As is the case with someone with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, the disease never goes away, goes into remission.
You learn to live with it. You try to eat and drink foods and beverages that minimize flare-ups. You stay away from toxins that might worsen the situation.
With depression,
Every day that a depressed person gets up,
Every time a depressed person forces him/herself to exercise,
Every decision to leave the house and interact with other humans,
Every rejection of intrusive thoughts about inflicting self-harm,
is a battle won.
Yes, I think depression is an auto-immune disease: painful but treatable, never-ending but cyclical, hopeless but hopeful.
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