I went through 13 years of hell (including my parents getting sick, suffering and die in front of me - but it started before that. Didn't help, though) without any medication. Finally someone thought "you might be depressed" (before that I saw 2 different doctors - one said: "You are depressed. Don't you want some pills?" and the other said "You are not depressed. Don't you want some pills?") and a couple of years later I finally got in contact with a proper psychiatrist after my shrink said he had never seen people so in distress as me after his treatments. I believe him. He is a really nice and competent guy. But he said I was one of the few he had to ask to go to a psychiatrist to look into medication, because else the psychological treatment wouldn't be able to move on.
First my psychiatrist wasn't able to feel how I felt (It took 6 years - now it is great!) but he had a lot of knowledge of medications, so I shut up and I had my shrink as a backup. I got Citalopram in a period and it helped me a bit as I felt less suicidal - but not more that that. Before that I got Seroxat (Paroxetine) and it totally knocked me out so I gave up after 5 days.
The Citalopram was joined by Remeron, and this cocktail actually helped quite a bit! I finally got an education (certified IT-supporter - ljke a certified electrician in the UK, I reckon) and later a job at the Royal Danish Theatre (Det kongelige teater). Which eventually led me to be the CIO of Microsoft Denmark and Microsoft Development Center Copenhagen while the "proper" CIO was on paternal leave. So I must have SOME skills (using my intellect) while I still loathe myself (the depression).
Now I am on something called Cymbalta (Mirtazapine) - maximum dose, 120mg - and it leveled the playing field. I feel somewhat "normal" from this and was able to improve my life and get involved in things I find interesting and want to explore (thus I'm here). It also has the benefit of only limiting your libido, not outright killing it (albeit I have no-one to share this libido with :( Involuntarily celibacy sucks - and not the way I would like it!)
Don't rule out medication. It is not for everyone. But if it works, it works. If not, try something different. Live is too short to miss out.
And before you diagnose yourself with (clinical, medication-improving) depression, be sure to rule out that the people you are with aren't genuine asshats, nor that you are lonely. Both those things should be treated by cognitive therapy (shrinks) so you get empowered to change your own ways.
HOWEVER!!! That you are surrounded by asshats and other than that lonely in your existence here on this tiny, lonely planet might be a symptom of the DEPRESSION!!! You will have a hard time to find people to create mutual beneficial relations with! In that case, the depression is real and should be treated!
To the OP:
Schizo, say to your doctor this medication isn't working for you. SSRI's are not alike. Be brave and fight for your life and sanity! And don't take the shit some people say like "OMG THEY ARE MELTING YOUR BRAIN YOU SHOULD JUST EAT MORE ASPARAGUS*!!!" If you feel like the medication is melting your brain, stop taking it and look into other (including medical) options.
Love
Nikolaj
* Note: I actually like asparagus. This was not meant to be mean to asparaguses.