Of course there is chemical imbalance. The scientists still struggle with properly identifying the chemical – they change it every 20 years- MAO, to SSRI to GABA to gut bacteria – and treatment methods differ. Many treatment strategy exist. Medications, ECT, TCM HERBS, PSYCHOTHERAPY but what does a yogi say? Do they have an answer?
The biggest threat to treatment of depression is the treatment itself. Many frauds online publish fake studies , criticize medical studies and seduce patients by appearance of being sympathetic
Ultimately the solution is quite simple but seemingly impossible to reach. Depression is part of personality. Soul has no personality. So knowing your self as spirit is the quickest and permanent way. Yet every step of the way the personality or three gunas rise up and our divine self is forgotten
Without going into specifics I would like to say if your goal is a permanent solution then meditation can put a more permanent dent. The charlatans of the world will always misguide you and they will abound in this world. The bad karma of the individual will prevent them from finding or seeking a permanent method and even if they find it they cannot hold on to it and even if they hold on that will not reach it unless their desire is truly to get rid of the burden of depression.
Let the world be. Should you be so fortunate to find the tricks of the trade let the light lead you away from darkness and gloom to a brighter future
Religion is a way of psychotherapy. I am not referring to it. The roots of depression continue to stay there. Joining any path cannot help unless there is an awakened and still livingindividual in the path. Sadly the world does NOT have a person like that. They exist but not in any form of business, retreat, temples churches, books etc
After all what can such an enlightened person want from you ?
Bhavin