> Depression can happen virtually on its own Given that CBT is the first-line treatment for chronic depression and has a really good success factor, we can see

> Depression can happen virtually on its own Given that CBT is the first-line treatment for chronic depression and has a really good success factor, we can see that what you are saying is technically correct (it can happen) but the assumption you make earlier: > Identifying causes for mental health conditions is problematic and not very fruitful Is, while also technically true in some cases (it is a broad statement that applies to more than depression), as connected to depression plainly false. You've constructed a compelling argument that seems to check out based on only a tenuous relation between different true statements. I hope that this is just a prejudice and not something you believe as someone suffering from depression. If this is in fact the case, know that in a lot of the cases causes can be discerned and you can with treatment in fact be able to live a lot better. In the small minority of cases where you are depressed because of a biological limitation (yes, this also happens - it's just not the most usual trajectory), that's when you treat it with a (hopefully life-long) line of antidepressants that work for you.